The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on all of us, whether we have experienced the virus or not. Sheltering-in-place and the subsequent change of lifestyle has left us all feeling unsettled and for many, the clutter in our now too-small or unorganized homes is growing.
And according to UCLA's Center on Everyday Live and Families (CELF), it turns out that clutter has a profound affect on our mood and self-esteem.
**Please remember the depression is a serious illness. Consult a physician or trusted health professional for medical help for severe symptoms.
For families feeling the burden of clutter in their lives, House Logic by REALTOR recommends five small steps to help you cope in the short term.
Adopt the Rule of Five
Every time you get up from your desk or walk through a room, put away five things. Or, each hour, devote five minutes to de-cluttering. At the end of the day, you’ve cleaned for an hour.
Be Ruthless About Your Kitchen Sink
Pledge to clear and clean your kitchen sink every day. It takes a couple of seconds more to place a dish in the dishwasher than dump it in the sink. A clean sink will instantly raise your spirits and decrease your anxiety.
Put Photos Away
Return to yesteryear when only photos of ancestors or weddings earned a place. Put snapshots in a family album, which will immediately de-clutter many flat surfaces.
Unburden Your Refrigerator Door
Researchers found a correlation between the number of items stuck to the fridge door and the amount of clutter throughout the house. Toss extra magnets, file restaurant menus, and place calendars in less conspicuous places.
Test Whether You'll Miss It
Fill a box with items you don’t love or use. Seal the box and place it in a closet. If you haven’t opened the box in a year, donate it (unopened!) to charity.