Tidying as Self-Care
With each New Year comes a new set of resolutions. We make commitments to lose weight, earn more money, get organized, etc. We create SMART goals and set out to at least try to form better habits. We focus on self-care and renew our desire to take more time for ourselves. Tidying up hasn’t really fit into the category of self-care… until now.
Why Tidying?
Self-care is defined as “any activity that we do deliberately in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health.” It’s obvious how diet and exercise are part of self-care, but so is our relationship to our stuff. In fact, tidying is an essential element of self-care.
Did you know that 45% of Americans report lying awake at night due to stress?*
Many of us feel stressed and don’t think we have time to tidy, but oftentimes tidying is exactly what we need to create more peace and contentment in our daily lives. Sure, it takes an upfront investment of time and resources, and we may have to set other responsibilities aside in order to prioritize organizing our space. But once we make tidying a part of our self-care routine, we put our mind at ease, other intentions and habits fall into place, and we suddenly have more time to do more of what we love.
Tidying can have a real impact on your life. Here are three ways to make tidying part of your self-care routine:
1. Visualize your ideal home.
If you could design the ideal version of your home, what would it look like? How would it feel? What would you change? In the words of real estate magnate and best-selling author Gary Keller, what's The ONE Thing you can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary? If you need inspiration for your ideal home, search for ideas in magazines or online. Bookmark a few that you think will help you bring your vision to life.
2. Book an appointment with yourself.
Much like you would book a mani-pedi, massage, or coffee with a friend, book at least two hours — preferably three — for tidying up an area of your home that’s been weighing on you. If it’s clothing, start with all of your hanging clothes or clothes in your dresser. If it’s the kitchen, don’t start by tackling it all at once. Begin with something small and manageable, such as the items you cook with, where you will see significant improvement. This alone will give you the motivation to tackle more in the future.
3. Begin with the end in mind: experience more calm and peace.
Focusing on what you’re after — to create more calm and enjoyment in your home — let yourself get in the “flow.” A flow state is when someone is “fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity.” Start by keeping your ideal space in mind while you touch each item, asking yourself if the item sparks joy and/or supports you in this season. Keep what does, and let go of what doesn’t.
You can also include a few “add-on’s” to make the process even more enjoyable. Like listening to music? Put on a favorite playlist. Enjoy lattes? Swing by Starbucks before starting your personal tidying session. Know you need accountability? Text a friend beforehand for moral support and encouragement. Add in anything that makes it fun, using Marie Kondo or your go-to organizing inspiration as a guide.
“Effective tidying involves only three essential actions. All you need to do is take the time to examine every item you own, decide whether or not you want to keep it, then choose where to put what you keep. Designate a place for each thing.” -- Marie Kondo
When we confront our clutter, we confront ourselves. It takes small and purposeful efforts, and a little extra care for yourself, but the result is more peace in your daily life. If you want to feel refreshed, maximize your enjoyment at home, and surround yourself with only the things you love, then give tidying a chance.
Need a little extra boost to get started? Check out KonMari.com and the Spark Joy Podcast (you can search by topic!) for organizing tips, stories, and resources to help you achieve your tidying goals. Care for your home, and you care for yourself.
*According to a 2018 American Psychological Association survey.