Elly Yard of The Home Method explains how decluttering can boost your child’s creativity and your family’s wellbeing
As we come out of hibernation, leaving dark mornings and short days behind, daylight is drawing out and Spring is almost here. With that comes a chance to prepare for the year ahead.
Spring cleaning is part of many cultures and dates back over 3,000 years. Khaneh Tekani or ‘shaking the house’ is a Persian tradition, where sweeping up dust and removing clutter from one’s home was believed to prevent ill fortune in the upcoming year.
Today, we know that by cleaning physical spaces, we can also organise our mental space in a way that produces positive and clear thinking. For this reason, spring cleaning improves mood, creativity and productivity.
Creativity is one of your child’s biggest assets – research has shown in the current digital era, creativity and imagination, especially in young children, is declining. How can we get it back? Could decluttering and organising your home be the key?
When our homes are in order, we free up mental space that’s often wasted looking for keys, shoes or school bags. We also prevent future, unnecessary purchases by taking stock of the items we own. A psychological benefit of spring cleaning is the ‘fresh start effect’: after being enclosed in our homes all winter, spring cleaning can add some energy, enthusiasm and pride in our homes.
Psychological research shows that even the smallest of tasks such as sorting your junk drawer or reorganising your spice cabinet can give you the positive momentum to tackle large life goals. Spring cleaning is an opportunity to let go of emotional attachments to possessions. Encouraging children to donate their old toys will further develop their maturity and generosity.”
Through refining the items in our surroundings that no longer serve us, and freeing up space, we allow our minds to focus on the immaterial pleasures that make us truly joyful.
Four Ways to Make Spring Cleaning Fun
- £££ One person’s trash is another’s treasure – Some of your decluttered items still hold value, using platforms such as eBay and Facebook Marketplace can earn you some extra cash.
- Clean to the beat Set a 30-minute timer, stick on your favourite playlist (mine’s 80s), turn up the volume and see what you can get done.
- Make it a family affair Organise a fun fashion show so you can see what doesn’t fit your children anymore.
- Reward Yourself Each time you achieve your decluttering target, reward yourself with a bubble bath or your favourite treat.
Feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of organising your home? Considering professional help?
Here are three key characteristics to look for in a professional organiser:
- Compassionate Someone who is kind and empathetic, and one by whom you don’t feel judged. After all, you need to be comfortable inviting them into your home.
- Passionate Look for a knowledgeable declutter nutter. Someone who loves what they do, appreciates the emotional attachments you have and can be pushy when needed. Most importantly, someone who is in your corner, championing your development.
- Makes a Great Cuppa Starting to declutter your home can become overwhelming. Taking regular breaks, whilst enjoying a cuppa, will help you to feel less overwhelmed.
Elly works with homes across the Bath and South West region. To find out more about the services offered by The Home Method, contact them on email hidden; JavaScript is required and 07796 422 609, or go to thehomemethod.co.uk
Testimonial: “I can’t recommend Elly highly enough. She is calm, empathetic, thorough and very well-organised. She gently leads and supports you in deciding what needs to stay and go. I now know where to find everything and can easily see what I’ve got. I’d forgotten how big my bedroom was! It’s now a calm relaxing environment and my sleep quality has improved enormously. Sleeping in an uncluttered, organised space has helped my mind become less cluttered and organised too.”