Declutter to have time to smell the roses
Adhering to the trend of minimalism means decluttering, not only your home or workspace, but also your mind and habits that today’s hectic world throws on you
Getting rid of the feeling of being bogged down that comes with excess baggage isn’t just about a tidier, more organized household — it’s more of an overall mindset.
Just Junk, a leader in the junk removal business, sees a surge in business every winter as Canadians across the country resolve to declutter their lives.
Here are a few tips from Just Junk for a clean start in 2020:
DECLUTTER YOUR SPACE
Start the new year with renewed space. Decluttering can aid your mental health and give you the freedom to progress onto new and ongoing projects without the burden of cluttered space holding you back.
DECLUTTER YOUR SCHEDULE
If you’re not used to using a calendar — physically or digitally — it might be time to start. Going from disorganized to organized, even slowly, can renew your perspective on time and completing projects in an orderly way.
Once you get into compartmentalizing those things that you need to do — and stick to the timeline — time becomes more than something that just passes you by. Establish routines with the special people in your lives — like movie nights, dinners or weekend hikes — and build them into your schedule so it’s not all about work.
TRY NEW THINGS
Be inventive with your free time. Try new activities, new games (or ones you haven’t played in years) or try your hand at a hobby you’ve had your eye on for ages. Even abiding the old adage — “stop and smell the roses” — you can renew yourself by removing your stress and experiencing new things with friends and family.
MONITOR YOUR DIGITAL WELL-BEING
Make a concerted effort as a family to spend more time together and put down your phones, tablets and other electronic devices. Let every member of the family have a night to whip up dinner, read aloud to each other or try out one new activity together at least once a month. Look into your device’s settings — newer Android and Apple devices offer options for digital well-being that allow you to limit time spent on apps and will adjust light settings to help your body keep its regular sleep schedule.
GET OUTSIDE MORE OFTEN
Get rid of all the stuff that fills your garages, basements, attics and backyards and replace it with gear to enjoy outdoor sports and activities with the family.