What to watch, read, listen and do to declutter your life

Spring is right around the corner. That means it’s time to get rid of all the clutter in our lives and start fresh by getting organized.

Why it matters:

Clutter is often a symptom and a cause of stress. It’s distracting, overwhelming and invites chaos into your life. It can also influence the way you work. Need more convincing? A Princeton University study found that physical clutter in your surroundings competes for your attention, resulting in decreased performance and increased stress.

By decluttering your home and work space, you’ll be more clear-minded and productive. It’s not as daunting as it sounds — start one small step at a time and it can transform your life.

Lindsay’s favorite tools, tricks and tips to declutter:

WATCH

• When it comes to your home, bigger isn’t always better and “Tiny: A Story About Living Small” will prove that. You might consider downsizing after watching it.
• In last month’s post on mindfulness, “Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things” was featured. This powerful, must-watch film will teach you how to live a meaningful live with less.

READ

• You’ve probably heard of “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing” by Marie Kondo since she set off a decluttering craze across the globe. Her no-nonsense approach is effective and simple. Kondo encourages you to only surround yourself with things that spark joy.
• If you ever feel overwhelmed instead of overjoyed by your possessions, you need to read “The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide: How to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify Your Life”. Francine Jay will help you downsize and streamline your life.

LISTEN

• According to Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus in episode 001 Declutter of The Minimalists Podcast, “by clearing the clutter from life’s path, we can all make room for the most important aspects of life: health, relationships, passion, growth and contribution.” It’s all about gradually decluttering.
• Guess what? A cluttered kitchen can nudge us to overeat. This quick three-minute listen will make you want to read the study and revamp any chaotic environment in your life.

DO

• Purge and donate! Give Back Box makes it easy. Reuse any cardboard box to donate your unwanted household items.
• Did you know that jotting things down is faster, easier and better for cognition? Consider using a bullet journal for your to-do list — it’s customizable, creative and basically free! But if pen and paper isn’t your thing, try the app Wunderlist.

How will you sweep away the clutter and organize your everyday life?