Spring is almost here, and I like to use this season change to start fresh and declutter. Everyone has a busy life, and I know it is hard to let go of things. That’s why in this post, I’ll share expert advice on how to declutter your bedroom in one day for a calmer mind.
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Why Declutter Your Bedroom First?
Think of it this way: Your bedroom is your personal space. It’s where you sleep and spend a significant amount of your time. When it’s cluttered, it’s difficult to sleep well, focus, or recharge.
Plus, your bedroom is under your domain. Even if you live with others, you have control over what’s inside. This makes it easier to declutter it. (If you are married or have a roommate, I’ll share a different approach later.)
Your Cluttered Bedroom Is Affecting Your Mind.
Let’s take a look at your bedroom. Look around, or picture it in your mind. How cluttered is it right now?
Rate it on a scale of 1 to 5:
- It’s so cluttered I can barely see the floor or bed.
- I can see the floor, but stuff is piled on the bed and flat surfaces.
- My bed is clear, but my shelves are bursting with things I don’t love.
- My bed, floor, and shelves are tidy, but some drawers need attention.
- A few things are out of place; I could organize them in under an hour.
Now, write down what you thought or felt when you assessed your bedroom.
- Describe your feelings (e.g. anger, frustration, overwhelm, sadness, or irritation).
- Describe your thoughts (e.g. “This is awful, and I don’t have time for this”.
This exercise is about awareness. It helps you see how clutter affects your mental state. When you are aware of a problem, you’re better equipped to fix it.
The Connection Between Your Mind and Clutter
Setting time aside to declutter your home is tough. But the more you avoid it, the bigger the problem becomes.
Clutter can lead to a sense of excessive attachment. It impacts your productivity, relationships, and both, your physical and mental health.
Decluttering is liberating. It lets you start fresh and release items you no longer need, freeing up both your space and your mind.
How Clutter Affects Your Mind
You’ve probably heard the saying, “A cluttered house, a cluttered mind”. It might sound cliché, but there’s truth to it.
Neuropsychologist Diane Roberts explains: “Clutter creates chaos, which impacts your ability to focus. It also limits your brain’s capacity to process information”.
Think of it this way: everything you own affects your brain’s function, energy, and mental health.
Dr. Joseph Ferrari, PhD, says clutter is:
“An overabundance of possessions that collectively can create chaos and disorderly living spaces”.
Clutter equals chaos. Experts emphasize this point. A disorganized space has a bigger impact on your life than you realize.
Jenny Alberti, in her book, highlights the close link between health and clutter.
Our clutter affects our health, and our health (mental or physical) contributes to clutter. It’s a cycle, and understanding it helps you address the root causes.
How To Declutter Your Bedroom in one day for a calmer mind
By now, you understand the connection between clutter and your mental state. So, how can you fix it? Declutter!
Decluttering creates space (not just physical space, but mental space too). A clearer mind leads to better thinking, improved focus, and a greater sense of calm.
A calm mind is essential for everything.
Declutter Your Bedroom in a Day: Yes, It’s Possible!
Time is the biggest challenge for most people. Decluttering a bedroom can seem like a multi-day project, I promise there’s a faster, easier way.
You don’t need to hire an expert to have a clutter-free bedroom. I’ve compiled the most effective strategies from experts in these fields to help you:
- Home organization.
- Minimalism.
- Mental health.
The Real Meaning of Decluttering
Decluttering isn’t about cleaning or making things look pretty. Jenny Albertini clarifies that it involves:
- Evaluating how a room makes you feel.
- Reorganizing to support your goals.
- Identifying what’s holding you back from letting go.
- Creating a clear plan.
Remember: Decluttering is about removing things, not deep cleaning.
The One-Day Bedroom Declutter Plan:
1. Commit And Visualize Your Ideal Routine.
Marie Kondo, a decluttering expert, says the first step is to commit to tidying and picture the lifestyle you want.
Your turn:
- Choose a decluttering day.
- Imagine your ideal bedroom.
- Visualize the feeling of a clutter-free bedroom.
- Think of new routines you could enjoy.
This will help you understand better what you want to achieve.
2. Set Up a Small Work Area.
Minimalist expert Leo Babauta suggests creating a ‘work area’ where you’re decluttering. This helps you see everything clearly and decide what to keep or discard.
Your turn:
- Choose a space to gather items (bed, table, floor).
This makes the sorting process easier. Don’t overcomplicate it. If you don’t have space inside your bedroom, go to another room.
3. Prepare Your Decluttering Supplies.
Tanya, an organization expert, suggests a simple setup: a trash can, a basket, and boxes for things you plan to sell, donate, or move.
Your turn:
Pick up the supplies:
- Trash bag for trash and broken objects.
- Boxes for selling, donating, or relocating.
- Baskets items you want to keep.
- Label each of them.
The number of boxes and baskets will depend on the things you have in your bedroom.
4. Set A Timer and Take Breaks.
Yes, you’re decluttering your bedroom in a day, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take breaks! This task is physically, mentally, and emotionally tiring.
Your turn:
- Work in 15–30-minute intervals.
- Take a 5-minute break after each interval.
- Go to another room, sit, drink water, or do something else.
Dealing with years of clutter is a big deal. Even if you feel energized, take time to rest. Your well-being matters.
5. Choose a Starting Point.
Marie Kondo suggests beginning with something simple (e.g. clothes), leaving more difficult items for later (e.g. sentimental). This helps you build confidence and makes the whole process smoother.
Your turn:
- Decide the order in which you want to work.
- If you have a closet in your bedroom, start there.
- Take everything out and place it in the work area.
- Save sentimental items for last.
6. Make Decisions.
Now comes the tricky part: making decisions. Only you can decide what to keep, even if others are helping you declutter. Ultimately, the responsibility is yours.
Your turn:
- Pick up each item from the “work area”.
- Ask: When was the last time I used this object? Does this bring joy to my life? (Questions recommended by experts Leo Babauta and Marie Kondo)
- Make a decision right away.
- Place the item in the right box, bag, or basket.
If you’re unsure, set the item aside. Decide what to do with it before the day ends. Remember, you’re committed to decluttering. Keep only what you love, use, or bring you joy.
7. Organize What You Keep.
Now that you’ve sorted everything, put the items you’re keeping back in their place. A quick dust of your closet or shelves won’t take much time.
Your turn:
- Clean surfaces before replacing items
- Find a home for every item you are keeping.
8. Reward Yourself All The Hard Work
Congratulations! You’ve learned how to declutter. Now, make sure to reward yourself after finishing your bedroom. It’s a great way to boost your motivation for future projects.
Your turn:
Celebrate reaching your goal: You declutter your bedroom (even if you finished only half of it).
- Take a long warm shower, cook a nice meal, or enjoy a treat.
You should be proud of you! Pay attention to how you’re feeling after this. You’ll likely find your mood, energy levels, productivity, and general well-being improve. And remember, you did it all in a single day!
Keep Your Bedroom Clutter-Free Long-Term
Decluttering your bedroom in one go is helpful, but you can create a system to keep your house clutter-free.
Tips for Maintaining an Organized Bedroom:
- Ignore trends: Avoid following influencers who tell you what you need. Instead, think about your priorities and evaluate if there is anything you need to get.
- One in one out: Adopt a mindset where for each thing you buy, another has to leave your house. This is challenging but it could help you avoid buying unnecessary things.
- Everything has to have a place: Create specific spots for each object in your bedroom or any room. For example, keep the keys in a tray on your table or your shoes in the same area.
- Have a 10-minute decluttering routine at night: Before going to sleep go to every room in your house and see if everything is in place. If not, relocate it right away.
Conclusion
A clutter-free home is within reach. Start by using these steps to declutter your bedroom in one day.
Recap of Steps:
- Commit and visualize.
- Set up a work area.
- Prepare decluttering supplies.
- Set a timer and take breaks.
- Choose a starting point.
- Make decisions.
- Organize what you keep.
- Reward yourself for all the hard work.
This simple guide helps you declutter any room in your house in one day or less.
Share it with a friend who needs it!
Comment below your favorite decluttering tip.
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