Rain, sun, and snow all within the same day can only mean one thing. It is Spring in Oregon. Spring cleaning historically was a time to air the house out and remove dirt and grime that had built up during the cold months. But now Spring is a sign of renewal. A season when people hang their hopes on improving their life and themselves. Let the spirit of Spring inspire you to get started by clearing the clutter that is weighing you down physically and emotionally.
The first step in Spring cleaning is not to tackle dirty floors and grimy windows. Those can wait. Effective spring cleaning starts with the big stuff, the messy piles, the cluttered closets, and the overflowing junk drawers that have been niggling in the back of your brain, subconsciously creating a distraction, blocking you creativity, and slowing your energy flow. Here are three benefits of decluttering your space.
- Alleviates stress. Studies show that a cluttered home is one of the major sources of stress. Clutter can up your anxiety level and has shown to raise levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Clutter is a visual cue that you can’t relax because there is more work to be done.
- Energize you into productivity mode. When you are decluttering, you are problem solving, and therefore getting things done. You gain energy from the visual accomplishments of de-cluttering. Your gained energy can also help tackle other items on your to-do list!
- Gives You More Time. The less stuff you have, the easier it is to clean. No piles to move or trinkets to dust makes cleaning faster and easier. As an added bonus you will save time looking for your stuff. No longer will you spend wasteful minutes searching for your phone caught under wayward papers or the left half of your favorite running shoes under the heap of clothes on your bedroom floor. There is also, by default, less to clean.
Tips To Getting It Done:
- Get The Right Supplies: Trash bags are the first decluttering tools you need. You’ll probably be surprised how much trash you’ll remove as you declutter. Have a bin specifically for donations and another for items you want to save.
- Start small. You do not need to declutter and clean everything at once. Think of one small area that you can go through each day. For example, Day one go through the bottom half of your closet, and on day two, tackle one of your junk drawers. In a matter of weeks, you will notice a major difference in how organized you feel. Consider making a list of all the areas in your home that need to be de-cluttered and tackle one space each week.
- Ask a friend or family member to help you. If you find it challenging to start independently, you can always invite others to help you or just be there to keep you company. It can be difficult to ask, but most people are more than willing to help. Sometimes an outside eye can make it easier to detach from our stuff, making it easier to let it go.
Now it’s time to get started, so stop reading and start cleaning. A clearer mind and a lighter spirit is just an organized pantry away.
While it may not clear out any physical space looking at your insurance policies can trim expenses and ensure that you and your loved ones are protected regardless of what the future holds. After all, life can be unpredictable, and regular updates to your coverage can prevent financial stress and, like organized closets, can provide you with some much-needed peace of mind.
Contact EPB&B for assistance in getting you insurance policies up to date and organized.