It's no secret that a cluttered environment can have a significant impact on our mind. The mess can be distracting and bombard us with extra stimuli. Some of us respond by allowing the anxiety to build, while others succumb to the inescapable urge to immediately tackle the problem. Either way, the constant feeling of needing to clean can breed guilt and frustration. The good news is that there is a silver lining to our cleaning conundrum. When we finally adopt the habits needed to maintain a decluttered home, the mental impact can be magical.
At reflect, we're taking the advice of Japanese bestselling author, consultant, and the new star of Netflix's hot new show, Marie Kondo, who believes that tidying up is so life-changing, she wrote a New York Times #1 best-selling book. In it, she makes the case for minimalist living through a specific decluttering process.
The life-changing magic of tidying up
First, take each item you own in your hands and ask yourself if it sparks joy. If it doesn’t, thank it for its service and get rid of it. Surrounded only by the things you love, next find a specific place for each item in your home. This method, Kondo believes, creates a space in which you can live a happier and less stressed life.
We're big fans of Kondo’s “KonMari” method and definitely recommend trying out the process. But, we admit that it’s not as easy as it sounds. The process of decluttering takes time, which many of us don’t have. And even if you manage to declutter, it still takes time and energy to maintain cleanliness (something that Kondo spends little time on in her book).
Some people find the cleaning process therapeutic and reap double the clarity by cleaning themselves and enjoying the peace of mind of a spotless environment. For the rest of us, spending hours cleaning only increases stress levels and eats up precious free time. The average American spends about 120 hours per year cleaning their home – wouldn't you rather spend that time to doing something you love? Go for that run, practice some self-care, spend time with a loved one, or take your kids to the park.
Cleaning made easy
In our tech-filled lives, we at reflect are always looking for ways to simplify. Luckily, there are innovative apps, like All Set, making tidying up easier than ever. All Set coordinates the scheduling of an ongoing cleaning service with a trusted professional through a seamless and user-friendly interface. With All Set, you can browse available cleaners in your neighborhood based on verified customer reviews, message your choice of Pros, and pay all in one place. This service, and others like it, truly make cleaning a breeze.
And if you prefer to do the cleaning yourself, be sure to check out All Set’s blog for practical tips on how to clean your home more efficiently. (Note: All Set is currently available in the San Francisco Bay Area and Boston).
The space around us has a huge impact on our mental health. Just as we can’t take care of our physical health while ignoring our mental health, it’s important to note how the physical spaces in which we dwell impact our mood and stress. We encourage you to explore the life-changing magic of a clean space – whether through the KonMari method or with the help of some professional cleaning services like AllSet.