Clear your Clutter, Feel More Bliss!

All month long we have been talking about ways to bring more abundance into your life — from affirmations to help declutter your mind to simple techniques to de-stress your bod. And since now is a great time for Spring Cleaning, let’s turn our focus to some simple ways to declutter your space.

By now, most people have heard of Marie Kondo’s book, “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up”. It’s almost as popular as Oprah (…almost). The gist of the book is simple — the less clutter you have, the more energy can flow through your home, leading to greater happiness.

So this week, we are going to use some of Marie’s signature KonMari methods plus a few of my own useful tips to clear out and clean up your home environment to make room for an abundance of even more bliss!

Now, the KonMari method has a few rules, like:

• Tidy by category, not by location.

• Follow the right order.

This means clothes are first, then books, papers, then random odds and ends you really don’t need, and last but not least, sentimental items.

• Keep only the things that bring you joy.

Ask yourself, “Do I absolutely love this? Does it mean anything to me? Does it serve a purpose in my life?”

And remember my tip from last week: if you’re looking for a simple way to begin, sort your clutter into three piles: ditch it, donate it, and keep it. If you haven’t worn it or used it in six months to a year, you can probably get rid of it. And there’s something so lovely in the way Kondo suggests to say sayonara to items you are parting ways with, “Don’t forget to thank it before saying good-bye.”

If you still need another reason to kick clutter to the curb, clearing out your unused items can actually improve your mood. Organization — and the idea of keeping the items that are most useful and joyful — not only benefits your mental health, but can also increase your productivity. Think of it as an exercise in mindful minimalism, one that helps clear space in your home and your brain

THE LIVING ROOM

Your living room should be a space that evokes feelings of togetherness and comfort. And those feelings should influence how it is arranged. According to Kondo, furniture doesn’t just need to look good, it must spark joy. When you walk in, does it feel welcoming and comfy? Do you feel happy, maybe even a little lighter?

BLISS TIP: Keep your coffee table clean! Have a fixed spot for your remote controls. Recycle magazines older than six months (check with women’s shelters and art classes, if you want to donate them.) Replace that unopened mail and other wayward items that have inevitably found their way to the coffee table, and keep the surface style simple, with a beautiful candle or a nice coffee table book.

THE KITCHEN

What a doozy, right? If you’re like me, your kitchen might be the size of a shoebox, so it’s essential to keep it in tip top shape. Splattered cooking oils and excess water (where does it come from!?) can make cleaning counters and cabinets a chore, so don’t store other stuff near the stove or sink. And think vertical when it comes to storage for dishes, pots and pans, and food and spices.

BLISS TIP: As I’ve always said, cooking should be a joyful experience! I play music and dance around, or play a fun movie in the background that makes me laugh. I don’t have a lot of space, but I do keep my favorite kitchen gadgets close by because they make cooking fun. Also, hide that trash can away, even if it means giving up a little cabinet space. No one likes to look at — or smell — the trash while cooking up a storm!

THE BEDROOM

Two words: Unplug and Recharge! Keep lighting glowing and soft — and definitely keep your bedroom clear of harmful blue light from the TV, computer and smartphones. (Newer phones have blue light filters built in, and there are apps for this too, like Iris for iPhone and Twilight for Android). Use candlelight and an essential oil diffuser at night to keep your space calm and peaceful.

BLISS TIP: If you live in an apartment building or on a busy street, consider investing in a white noise machine or blackout curtains to block frustrating distractions. Oh, what sweet (silent) slumber!

THE BATHROOM

According to Kondo, the key to your bathroom being a joyful space is also cleanliness. Keep your counters, bathtub and/or showers scrubbed and shiny, and only take out what you need to get ready, then immediately put them away when finished. This area of your home is quite literally for detoxing, so keep the energy flowing by keeping it a clutter-free zone.
This is a perfect time to clean up your beauty routine by getting rid of those toxic hair, skin and beauty products and anything expired. Also, check out the Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetics Database for a deep dive into what to avoid.

BLISS TIP: Storage space is key, so keep it simple and streamlined. If possible, do what you can to use the built-in cabinets, and if you have a super small space or no cabinets at all, think vertical once again. Get rid of those ugly plastic stacking bins, and go for a tall, thin cabinet with a door that can fit in a small space.

THE CLOTHES CLOSET

Use the closet racks for the clothes you actually wear now and keep the upper shelves for off-season clothes, bags, hats and sentimental items. Kondo suggests organizing your dresser from light to heavy items, from light materials to heavy materials. And remember the 80/20 rule I mentioned last week: keep drawers 80% full with 20% empty, so you always have room to put things away. And that might mean saying goodbye to one item when you bring home a new one!

BLISS TIP: Use the floor and sides of your closet for shoes, but keep them organized by using see-through bins or simple shelving. Or if you’re a sneaker-head or stiletto collector, turn your shoe collection into art like Cassey Ho did.

And last, but not least, create your POWER SPACE!

“Be sure to make a place in your home that is just for you, your own personal space filled only with the things you love,” Kondo writes. The key here,is to carve out a space in your home for what is important to you, a space that makes you smile. Perhaps it’s your own personal alter or a little corner to meditate with beautiful pillows and candles, or a corner to display photos and keepsakes you love.

Whatever it it looks like, it should make you feel warm and happy, and always spark joy!

Which area of your home could use even MORE bliss? What are your favorite decluttering tips and resources? Let me know in the comments below.

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LOVE + speedy Spring Cleaning!