Decluttering tips

for low periods

With help from a decluttering expert, we explore tips for
tackling mess when you’re going through a difficult time
Writing | Dilly Carter Illustrating | Rosan Magar

W
hen we’re going
through periods
of low mood and
depression, it can
be easy to let clutter build up in
our homes to the point where it
becomes overwhelming. As
our motivation wavers and
things start to slip, we can
get caught in a clutter cycle
– our mood only made worse
by our chaotic environment.
Here, decluttering expert Dilly
Carter explores five tips for
breaking the cycle and creating a
soothing environment:
1. Create a corner of calm
It’s important that we have at
least one area in our home
where we can sit, relax,
and unwind, without being
surrounded by clutter. So focus
on that first – even if you move
the clutter to another spot for
now – so that you have an area
in your home where you can
unwind from the stress of the
day, free of mess.
2. Work out areas
that are most valuable
What space do you need to
reclaim the most? Maybe it’s your
bedroom? Any good therapist or
doctor will tell you that sleep is
vital for wellbeing. So, if you’re
not getting a good night’s sleep,
could the chaos in your bedroom
be contributing to that?
If you are working from home,
simplifying your WFH space can
help you feel more motivated. A
dedicated home office space is
the dream, but even if you only
have a corner of your kitchen,
you can still create a space that is
clear of clutter – and unwashed
dishes! If you try to work

84 | March 2021 | happiful.com

surrounded by disorganised
paperwork, it’s harder to focus
and concentrate. Maintaining
an organised space and a
healthy work-life balance is vital
to your productivity, creativity,
and wellbeing.
Now ask, what tools do you
need to reclaim it? Do you need
help from someone else, be it a
professional or family member?
Write down the steps you need
to achieve your goal.
3. Set aside dedicated time
Time is our most valuable
commodity. Where you can, set
aside time to make your vision
become reality. Often, when
we’re struggling, jobs get started
but are not completed. So think
about the time you need to
complete the task ahead. Is it
achievable in the time frame
you have set yourself? How can
you make it work?
4. Try a ‘Dolly Dash’
A ‘Dolly Dash’ is a quick
15-minute challenge to change
something in your home (you’ll
find lots of suggestions for these
in my book).
You might give your sock
drawer a whirl, and once you
have finished the sense of 5. Don’t give up
achievement might drive you on It’s easy to feel overwhelmed
to declutter the chest of drawers. or unmotivated, but keep going
Perhaps you’ll even be inspired until you reach your goal.
to tackle the whole room! These things take time. Don’t
When did you last ‘Dolly Dash’ put yourself under pressure to
your cutlery drawer? Are you achieve everything at once. Be
keeping excessive numbers of kind, forgive yourself, and just
knives, forks, and utensils in one keep that end vision in mind.
drawer? What can be moved out?
What can be recycled? Do you
have a ‘good’ cutlery set that only
comes out on special occasions?
Why not use that every day? It’s
amazing how just a small change
can make a big difference to
your day.
If all else fails, put a load of
washing on or set the dishwasher
going. I guarantee you’ll feel like
you’ve achieved something just
by doing that. ‘Create Space: Declutter Your Home
to Clear Your Mind’ by Dilly Carter is
out now (DK, £12.99).
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