How To Declutter When You’re Depressed
When you’re depressed, it can feel impossible to tackle even the simplest of tasks. Everything feels like an overwhelming challenge, and it seems like nothing is worth the effort. Decluttering your home may seem like an impossible task when you’re feeling down, but it’s important to remember that taking care of your space can be a way to take care of yourself. In this blog post, I will discuss how to declutter when you’re depressed and provide some tips for staying productive and finding hope in the process.
Growing up, I was raised in a very chaotic messy house. My mother was a hoarder and as a result, our house was cluttered with her things. It wasn’t until I was an adult and dealing with my own depression that I realized how much this environment had impacted my mental health. When I decided to declutter my own home, it felt like I was decluttering my mind. It was a way to take control of my life and my space when everything else felt out of control.
Start small
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of decluttering, start small. Don’t try to tackle everything at once. Choose one area or one task that you can focus on and take it one step at a time.
Create organizational systems
A decluttered space is only helpful if it’s organized in a way that makes sense for you. Don’t try to force yourself into someone else’s idea of what organizinglooks like. Experiment with different systems and find what works best for you.
Personally, I find it helpful to immediately sort paper clutter when it arrives in the mailbox. I have a designated box for the papers that I need to keep and another box for papers that can be recycled. I also keep a designated spot for my keys and jackets so I’m not searching for them every time I leave the house.
Set realistic goals
When you’re decluttering, it’s important to set realistic goals. Don’t try to do too much at once or you’ll end up feeling overwhelmed and discouraged. Start with small goals that you know you can accomplish. For example, your goal could be to get rid of ten items that you no longer use.
If you can’t accomplish your goal, don’t beat yourself up. Just try again tomorrow.
Find a decluttering buddy
One of the best ways to stay motivated when decluttering is to find someone who will declutter with you. Having a decluttering buddy will help you stay accountable and on track. You can motivate each other to keep going when things get tough. Don’t feel ashamed to ask for help, decluttering is a process and it’s okay to need some assistance.
Take your time
There’s no need to rush when you’re decluttering. This is a process that takes time and patience. Allow yourself the time and space to declutter at your own pace.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a break and come back to it tomorrow. The most important thing is that you keep moving forward, even if it’s just one small step at a time.
The decluttering process can be daunting, but remember that you are in control of your space and your life.
Follow motivating subreddits
I find it helpful to follow decluttering subreddits like r/declutter or r/NonZeroDay. Seeing other people’s decluttering journeys is very motivating and can give you some great ideas for organizing your own space.
Write a list of everything you’ve done in a day
I find it helpful to write a list of everything I finished in a day. This helps me to see my progress and feel accomplished at the end of the day. Even if I only declutter one small drawer, or only took a shower, it feels good to be able to check it off my list. I prefer this way over a to-do list sometimes, because it feels more positive.
Take before and after photos
Another way to see your progress is to take before and after photos of your decluttering journey. This can be a great motivator to keep going when you feel like you’re not making any progress.
These are just a few tips that have helped me declutter when I’m feeling depressed. Remember, decluttering is a way to take care of yourself. Be patient with yourself, set realistic goals, and find someone to help you in the process.
