Stress Remedy # 1
When faced with the kind of stress that has you either running in circles getting nowhere or frozen in place, I have a tried and true remedy. It works every time. When all else fails, de-clutter and organize a closet. I know it sounds funny, but it really works. It is equally helpful for clearing clutter from a physical space, from your mind, or your heart. You can sort out items, ideas, decisions, or relationships all while cleaning out a closet. When I do this, my 6-step process is nearly always the same.
1. Choose a Manageable Task
I view this exercise as medicine, in that not enough does very little good and too much could do harm. Therefore, be mindful not to tire yourself out further by taking on a job that is too much for you, given your current stress state. You can choose a shelf, a drawer, or a whole closet. It is important to know what is right for you. For me, in the times when overwhelm creeps in, I find that choosing the “junk drawer” in the kitchen is my “go to therapy”. Like me, sometimes, this poor drawer seems to attract items that don’t really belong there, and my job is to sort it out and re-organize the remaining contents.
2. Go At Your Own Pace
Stress speeds your heartbeat and sends your brain into overdrive. So, take this task at your natural, comfortable pace. This is a time to be most mindful and in the moment. Don’t rush through it; leave time to revel in it. Even better, put on your favorite music and light a calming, scented candle to create a comforting and creative ambience.
3. Decide the Purpose of the Space
As you sort through the gadgets and items in a specific place, survey the location and structure of the area. Is the location easy to reach where you can house items you need often? Or is it a high up shelf that is difficult to get to with room for items that are seasonal at best? Sometimes the purpose of a storage space reveals itself as you begin the process of cleaning it out.
For instance, the junk drawer in our kitchen has at times been the office supply drawer, a mini toolbox, or holiday trinket central. This particular drawer is versatile, while most other storage places in the house are set. Sometimes I think this drawer’s true purpose is purely stress relief for me. “Thank you, junk drawer, for always being there for me.”
4. Establish Sorting Categories
It is true that we cannot know our treasures until we clear away the junk. So decide what stays and what goes. There are many ways to sort, but I prefer these three categories:
Keepers: fit, work, and inspire feelings of comfort, confidence, and purpose.
Giveaways: no longer fit, but may work quite nicely for someone else. Earmark these items for specific people you know who might like them or for organizations that serve people who may need them.
Discards: never fit, broke easily, or has created more trouble than it is worth. These items are perhaps the most cathartic to sort out of the mix. Discarding them simplifies and lightens your life.
5. Organize the Keepers
Once you have settled on your keepers, you can create ways to store them with ease of accessibility in mind. For my junk drawer (renamed Drawer of Treasures), I have an array of wooden box organizers of various sizes that I can move around to accommodate the items. I have found that if I’ve done a good job of sorting, the keepers nearly fall into place by themselves like a beautiful puzzle.
6. Step Back and Appreciate Your Work
As I sort and organize, bringing purpose and function to the space, a shift occurs within me. As the drawer comes to order, so do I. And my stress begins to dissipate. Yours will too; I guarantee it. Even more, it is a double blessing: a perfectly organized drawer and a lighter, clearer heart and mind. De-cluttering your space brings clarity to your life.