Weekly Wins 28: The Power Of A Good Declutter!

Living in a cluttered environment can be overwhelming for anyone, but for individuals with ADHD or Autism, the impact can be even more profound. From sensory overload to difficulties with organisation and time management, clutter can exacerbate symptoms and make daily life more challenging. However, by embracing the practice of decluttering, individuals with ADHD or autism can create a calmer, more harmonious living space and improve their overall well-being.

Having just moved house again I have been living in a world of clutter, and declutter. The feelings of a good declutter are outstanding, and create so much space both physically and mentally and

Why Decluttering Matters:

1. Reduced Sensory Overload:
Cluttered spaces can overwhelm the senses, leading to heightened stress and anxiety for neurodiverse individuals – this can be both subconscious and conscious!! By decluttering and creating a more organised environment, individuals can reduce sensory overload and create a calmer, more soothing atmosphere that promotes relaxation and focus.

2. Improved Focus and Concentration:
Clutter can be distracting and make it difficult to concentrate, especially for ND individuals who already struggle with attention and focus! By decluttering their surroundings, individuals can eliminate distractions and create a conducive environment for productivity and concentration.

3. Enhanced Emotional Well-being:
Clutter can evoke feelings of chaos, frustration, and overwhelm, negatively impacting emotional well-being. By decluttering and creating a tidy, organised space, individuals can experience a sense of calm and control, leading to improved mood and overall emotional well-being.

4. Streamlined Daily Routine:
Clutter can impede daily routines and make it challenging to find essential items or complete tasks efficiently. By decluttering and organising their living space, individuals can streamline their daily routine, saving time and energy and reducing stress.

Tips for Decluttering:

1. Start Small:
Decluttering can feel overwhelming, so start with small, manageable tasks to avoid feeling discouraged. Focus on one area at a time, such as a drawer, closet, or countertop, and gradually work your way through the space. I do an area a week. When I have areas down to manageable bits, I move to doing a room a month, so every year each room gets decluttered.

2. Set Clear Goals:
Before you begin decluttering, set clear goals and priorities for the process. Determine what you want to achieve and establish a realistic timeline and plan of action to stay on track. This can be tricky because before you know it, you’re trying on your old jacket you just found from the 1900s, looking through old photos mum printed off, holding your broken shoe from childhood, sneezing from all the dust. The goal could simply be, reduce bedsheets by two or take a shopping bag of clothes that no longer serve me to Vinnies. It doesn’t have to be a “lets declutter the WHOLE house” weekend and everyone has to sufferrrrrrrrrrrr…….

3. Use a Systematic Approach:
Develop a systematic approach to decluttering, such the four-box method (keep, donate, sell, discard). Choose a method that resonates with you and helps you make decisions about what to keep and what to let go of. My husband has a different approach – the pile it all in a box and if I don’t go looking for it in a month, then the whole box gets thrown out (yes, my anxiety goes through the roof with this tactic, but it works for him, and that’s all that matters).

4. Declutter Regularly:
Make decluttering a regular habit rather than a one-time event. Schedule regular decluttering sessions to maintain a clutter-free environment and prevent accumulation of unnecessary items. Look I struggle with this. I love the intention, but because it’s such a high executive functioning loaded activity with multiple steps it requires a lot of mental energy (and physical energy to be honest) to do it well. I do small chunks so I am making one are / process more efficient, for example, I’ll organise all the sheets and towels so that everyone can find things easily (and without needing me to find it = reducing my mental load!). Then I’ll move to wardrobes etc.

5. Focus on Functionality:
When decluttering, focus on functionality and usability rather than sentimentality. Keep items that serve a practical purpose and bring you joy, and let go of items that no longer serve you or have outlived their usefulness. THIS IS HARD, for me anyway. I have such sentimental attachments to most things. I have worked really hard on this focus in the past 18 months. No longer do we save the “good” plates/bowls/glasses; no longer do I not wear the “special” clothes- in reality, they will probably be worn out if you don’t! OR the first time you use them they break! Just use them! 🤩 Enjoy the special things daily / weekly, rather than saving them up for one special occasion.

6. Seek Support:
Decluttering can be challenging, so don't hesitate to seek support from friends, family members, or professional organisers. Enlist the help of a trusted companion to provide encouragement, motivation, and assistance during the decluttering process. Sometimes an accountability buddy is all you need. Someone to help you decide whether this stays or goes, or someone who is doing the process at their own house to keep you motivated and on a deadline. It’s generally not a fun activity, so we procrastinate like a pro to avoid it!

By embracing the practice of decluttering, neurodiverse and neurotypical individuals can create a more organised, harmonious living space that promotes relaxation, focus, and overall well-being. With patience, persistence, and a systematic approach, decluttering can become a valuable tool for enhancing quality of life and reclaiming control over one's surroundings. The extra special thing about decluttering is that by decluttering your physical environment, you actually declutter your mind too (in my experience). I have felt lighter and more organised that ever before, and it allows space in the brain for MORE exciting things to drop in – this is more valuable than the old seniors jersey I've had since I was 17!

How are you with decluttering? Do you need a challenge to get you started? Let me know!

Much love,

Alison xx