De-Cluttering for Mental Health

I’ve been through an experience that I’d like to share in the interest of mental health.

Several months ago, I realised that I needed to do some purging in my apartment. I was feeling uncomfortable with papers placed on surfaces I was unable to use, had no room in my closet or drawers for new clothes, and a storage area filled with things I couldn’t begin to identify because they were buried under boxes of papers and other items.

This weighed heavily on my mind. Whenever I passed a place that needed to be purged, it would cross my mind I should do it, but told myself I’m too tired or came up with another excuse not to.

Of course, this happened more often during COVID-19 because I’m usually working from home.

Many papers I had kept were useless. I believe I wanted them for the record to protect myself if something I bought broke, or might need them for something in the future. Might in this case was a synonym for never.

I had auto insurance documents from years ago. I got rid of these and only kept the current year. Many were receipts and statements from credit cards. I have all that available digitally. I only kept what I needed and shredded the rest. Most of the papers were shredded. Receipts for expensive items I took pictures of.

I felt a great sense of satisfaction once this was done. I can now use the full space on my desk instead of being crammed into a space just big enough for my computer and keyboard. I’m using areas once covered with papers to display pictures and other curiosities.

I had many boxes because I had a philosophy of keeping them to use if I moved. I got rid of all of them except the box for my television. Once that was done, I could see all the papers I had saved from college. I disposed of almost everything in those boxes. I think I may have looked at those boxes five times in 20 years.

Now my storge area has room to put things I really use.

Some clothes were associated with hope.

Some clothes I had kept because I was hoping to be able to fit back into them someday. The key word here is someday. Other clothes I kept because I wore them during good times I had had. Some had been sitting there for five years.

I went through my closet and drawers using a simple rule of thumb: If I hadn’t worn it or wanted to wear it in the last year, to the donation bin it went. I gave several pair of jeans to my brother who was pleased to take them.

I saw him wearing them the next time we met. I felt great not only because I cleaned out my closet and had room for clothes I wear daily, but because I saw some donated items being used and enjoyed.

I have a feeling of lightness in my mind because of the work I’ve done. I also have been able to post and share great pictures I haven’t seen in years because they were buried under boxes and papers. Many of my family members have felt good because of seeing those old pictures.

Getting rid of old and unused things creates space and room for new things but far more important is the space it creates in the mind for peaceful and pleasant thoughts.

If you have questions, need training or literature please contact Julian directly:

Julian Toy H.S.C. Substance Abuse Professional
Member of The Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals
Direct Line: 905-866-7301
E-Mail: juliantoy@myaddictionexperts.com
Web: www.myaddictionexperts.com
Services: Fit for Duty/Drug and Alcohol policy development, Fit for Duty/Drug and Alcohol training, Employee Substance Abuse Assessments.
Preferred provider of Fit for Duty/Drug and Alcohol training Eastern Construction Ltd.