Benjamin Franklin said “A Place for Everything and Everything in its Place”
This philosophy can benefit everyone, if you have a designated area for all of your belongings and you put them away when you are finished using them clutter will not accumulate. Don’t put it down, put it away. It seems very simple, but we get busy and don’t always follow through. But if you make it a habit it will come naturally.
It’s a Time Saver
You will spend much less time cleaning and organizing if you put things away after you use them. Think about how much time you spend each week just putting things back where they belong. Weekly cleaning goes much faster if you don’t have to first gather everything up and put it away. You will also spend less time searching for the things you need if you always know where to find them.
Reduces Stress and Increases Productivity
You will naturally be more productive if you are not surrounded by clutter. Our environment plays a pivotal role in how we think and feel. A clutter-free space promotes mental clarity by eliminating distractions and improving focus.
An article in PubMed found that clearing clutter from the home and work environment led to better focus and increased productivity. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21228167/
Clutter can increase stress and lead to depression. Keeping your home neat and organized is good for your mental wellbeing.
The Sage Journal found that levels of the stress hormone cortisol were higher in mothers who lived in cluttered homes. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0146167209352864
Increases Safety
Living in a cluttered home can lead to accidents. Putting things back where they belong can reduce the risk of tripping and falling.
Positive Impact on Children
Children who grow up surrounded by clutter can feel stressed and they may be embarrassed to have their friends over. Putting things away when you are finished using them sets a good example for your children and encourages them to do the same.
Less Accumulation
If you don’t put things away after you use them clutter accumulates. Items start to pile up and then it becomes harder to manage, which can lead to anxiety and procrastination.
Those are just some of the positive aspects of putting things away and it is easy to implement.
A Place for Everything and Everything in its Place
Structure your home so that everything is organized in a logical way. Store like items together, for example keep books on the bookshelf, tools in the toolbox, linens in the linen closet and so on. Designate baskets, bins, totes, shelves, drawers and other storage areas for your belongings, then it will be easy for everyone in the family to find and put away their things.
Implement a Daily Routine
Routines can be fulfilling and reduce stress. Children especially benefit from routines and schedules. Setup a system that works for you and your family. Make every effort to put things away as soon as you are done using them. You might not always be able to do this and that is when a routine can help. Choose a time that works for you and put away anything that has been left out. Children can have a set time each day to put away their toys and other belongings.
The Tech Minimalist 