4 Tips to Declutter Your Home During Covid

The world as we know it has changed since the CoVid-19 pandemic. From education to weddings, there is a sudden and drastic change in the way we have known life. From one lockdown to another, we have all learned a lot, and most importantly, unlearned a lot too. The threat of imminent danger has given us a whole new perspective on life including materialism. It is safe to say that the pandemic has shown people what is more important, and what isn’t. An unexpected outcome of the shift in perspective has helped bring an important everyday aspect of our lives to the fore: clutter.

With the onset of the first wave, India, like the rest of the world, witnessed a massive spike in stockpiling. What began as ‘storing for rainy days’ quickly devolved into hoarding. The world witnessed record toilet paper sales. In India, creative new ways to disinfect everything from vegetables to groceries for long-term storage were discovered. Blinded by the fear of uncertainty, clutter has become a semi-permanent guest in all our households. At the same time, the longer we are at home, the more we realize how cluttered our homes are. Even after the pandemic, working from home could become a standardized work culture. So getting rid of clutter won’t just be a virtuous weekend activity, but it would also become essential for a stress-free life.

Decluttering has become quite the trend since working from home became the new normal. People took it up because they spent a lot more time at home, staring at the same spaces, walls, and storage spaces. In countries like the USA where professional decluttering services are offered, decluttering companies witnessed a 70% surge in demand. With popular social media phenomena like Konmari and Minimalism picking up pace, the former actively promoted by author and professional declutterer Marie Kondo, there is more awareness than ever. Minimalism is also promoted as a pillar for happiness, and long term stress beater. All these factors have helped people realize the importance of decluttering and its role in a calmer lifestyle.

Why declutter now of all times?

• Decluttering makes disinfection and cleaning easier.

• A decluttered workspace, whether at the office or at home, helps improve focus.

• A decluttered home and home office can help promote productivity.

• Getting rid of clutter can help improve mood by reducing stress and rendering a sense of accomplishment.

• Decluttering the home can help save money by giving us a truthful account of what is needed and what isn’t.

• Decluttering also gives us the opportunity to look back and cherish old memories that have long been forgotten in the attic or a cupboard.

• An interesting outcome of decluttering is better sleep. All the aforementioned reasons indirectly contribute to deeper zzzs.

Precautions to take when decluttering

1. As recreational and relieving decluttering is, it is equally important to match your enthusiasm with safety

2. Wear masks and gloves throughout the time you take to declutter.

3.Make sure you stay away from dust and dirt as even harmless colds could hit false alarms during these times.

4. Take extra care when dumping or passing on the clutter.

4 tips to declutter your home during COVID

The art of tidying up is a tedious one without the right precautions. Here we give you 4 important tips to remember before you begin decluttering, especially during the pandemic:

1. Start small

Work feels a lot more like ‘work’ when professionals are tied to their desks at home. With the never-ending chores, the endless pile of dirty dishes, laundry that is begging to be folded and put away, decluttering shouldn’t become another chore pressing on you during an already hectic day. So before you make the leap, pick a less busy day. Spend just 30 minutes a day and take baby steps.

2. Declutter small sections

Decluttering can quickly become an overwhelming process for many. It is a process that can tire you mentally and physically. This is perhaps the reason why most decluttering ideas revolve around starting with small sections. Pick a cupboard on the first day, and then proceed towards bigger spaces.

3. Use the three-box system

The three-box system involves categorizing the clutter into three distinct categories, viz., throw away, put away and give away. The throw-away category is for the stuff that won’t benefit you or others; they need to be disposed of. The put-away category of clutter is to keep for yourself. You may need them later, so you could store them safely until the next time you need them. The give away pile is what you could donate to the needy, or people actively looking for hand downs. The three-box system is an effective way to declutter that many people swear by.

4. Clean up after decluttering

Take time to clean the spaces you declutter as soon as you can. This is one of the reasons to start small as cleaning big spaces after decluttering isn’t viable. Cleaning out decluttered space is important to get rid of accumulated dust and dirt.

Do remember to disinfect and sanitize all the stuff you look to donate and dispose of. If you are donating some of your items, make sure to inform the receiving party to sanitize them before using them. The same rule applies to the items you dispose of as you never know whose hands they may end up in.

In these gloomy times, it is important to pursue anything that may lift your spirit. And if decluttering feels like your soul’s calling, then so be it. Happy decluttering!