Ah, the holiday season! Even thinking about it brings warmth to the heart. If only there weren’t that chaotic side of it that almost spoils the fun. The truth is that holiday joy comes with a fair amount of stress. Luckily there’s a thing or two you can do about it. Decluttering makes the holidays less stressful, for example. It is the simplest and least complicated thing you can do to make everything more manageable during this period of the year, and here are the exact reasons why.
Decluttering makes the holidays less stressful because less clutter equals less stress
The human mind is a very peculiar invention of nature. No matter how long and hard we try to understand, it still finds ways to stay mysterious. For example, we go through a lot of trouble to be able to buy whatever we set our eyes on, yet, the more we surround ourselves with stuff, the more distressed we feel. Countless scientific studies have proven that clutter causes serious psychological issues.
That, in turn, means that less clutter equals less stress. The holiday period is already very hectic with many things to do. Returning to a house in disarray after a busy day only worsens the chaotic thoughts. Science says that one reason is that the eyes can’t help but inspect every little detail in a room full of stuff. If there is too much to check, it becomes tiring for the brain that processes all that. Therefore, remove all the unnecessary items in your home to see how decluttering makes the holidays less stressful.
You can make some money off of it
The days of extreme shopping sprees and ridiculous overspending, AKA the holidays, are times when all sources of profit are more than welcome. Decluttering can provide you with one such source. Among your belongings that you no longer have use for must be some that are in good condition. You can always donate them, and with some effort, you can sell them. There are many online platforms you can turn to sell your stuff. Alternatively, you can offer your second-hand items to a store specializing in retailing such things or an antique store. The clothes that no longer fit you are a great example of what you can sell. The same goes for decorative pieces, kitchenware, old furniture, and anything that still has some life. You probably won’t make a fortune out of this, but any income counts during the gift-buying season, right?
Put away old toys to make room for the new ones
It is one thing to get yourself to remove your belongings. But getting rid of your child’s toys in front of their concerned little eyes is distressing on a whole new level. It feels like you are robbing your kids of their precious possessions. The parents of younger children know the toy dilemma all too well – should I declutter it or let the kids declutter it in their own time? But the holidays are when your kids’ toy collection will become richer with the brand-new additions they will eagerly welcome. You simply must make space for these. If you declutter your children’s toys before the holidays, you will feel less stressed when the new toys arrive.
If you just can’t get yourself to altogether remove some toys from your child’s life, take the advice of the moving and storage experts from Centennial Moving and simply put your stuff in a rented storage unit. That way, you will reap the benefits of toy decluttering and allow your little one to keep his stuff.
Create space for holiday gifts
Not only will your child be getting things during the holidays. The adults get presents too. Decluttering your wardrobe, pantry, and other areas of your home will create space for the gifts meant for you and others in your family. That is especially important for those that live in small homes. For them, any new item that comes through the door threatens to make the place look confined and claustrophobic. So declutter away toward less confinement.
Deal with the holiday decorations properly so they last longer
Everyone’s favorite part of the holiday period is when decorations come out to shine again. We buy them with care and gently display them right before Christmas. Some of the ornaments and decorative lights can be expensive yet highly delicate. Imagine the sadness when you discover some got broke while waiting for their time of the year. To avoid this situation, when you put away for next season all your delicate holiday ornaments, be gentle. Make sure you pack them properly for storage. That way, you will ensure they don’t get broken. Also, you will use the space where they are held better since they occupy a smaller area when packed well.
Start the new year clutter-free
Finally, there’s no better reason to get rid of clutter before the holidays than to start the new year clutter-free. Surely you have made some huge New Year’s resolutions, which will require effort. Why don’t you boost your confidence by doing the ever-needed decluttering?
The end of the year is the perfect time to deal with that sentimental clutter you always avoid. The relief you will feel after doing that will surprise you. Take a photo of it if only looking at these sentimental items brings back some important memories. Luckily, pictures take up far less space than the objects in them.
Final thoughts
Holidays are to be happy and to feel love and joy with your whole being. Even though stress is the modern evil that manages to sneak into all aspects of our lives, the fact is that decluttering makes the holidays less stressful. So, if you want to enjoy the festivities to the fullest, get ready to put in some effort. It translates into only a few days of hard work that will make for months of order in your home and peace of mind.