Declutter your life and improve your health? The impact of our environment is often overlooked when thinking about our health so let’s take moment.
So where are you right now? Yes, right now. And is it helping you? Lockdown may be a funny time to think about this, but thinking back to when life was freer, what type of space did you spend your time in? And looking forward, where do you want to spend it…?
Before you spend too long wondering what I’m talking about, research has shown that environment (both people and places) have a big impact on how you feel about yourself and what you achieve. So, tweaking my question a bit – is your space helping you feel great and achieve what you want?
Declutter your life
Lockdown has given a whole new focus on where we spend our time and with whom. I’ve certainly been on a gradual process to reduce the amount of ‘clutter’ I have and how I store it. And judging by the recycling centre I’m not the only one! And for me, even if my clutter was tidy, it took time and ‘energy’ to ‘tidy it’ – which as I type it sounds a bit strange, but I’ve found even tidy places can sap energy from a space. Cue the Marie Kondo method of tidying for those of you who are fans…….
My declutter has been gradual and slow and will continue….turning to your own setting here’s a few ideas to think about.
1. Clutter and time to sort it
Getting control of your stuff may sound a bit of a cliche but having started on this journey I can say it’s had a positive impact on me. Just tidying up rather than sorting doesn’t quite achieve the same thing.
2. Family and friends
Family is a tough one and whether they support you or not, that’s for another time. Who you spend time with – ie your friends – you do have more sway and influence over. Mel Robbins is an advocate of a friends audit – it sounds brutal but if there are those in your life who you wonder about……perhaps check out her advice and the phrase which goes ‘Friends for a season and friends for a reason.’ I’ve also learnt that as you evolve and change through life your relationships also evolve.
3. Location – does it inspire and support you?
This can relate to people or your physical setting – ultimately the question is – it is helping you? Getting outdoors, even for the allotted time (whether you exercise or not) mixes it up and gives you a different perspective. If you can appreciate the wonder of nature around you – the plants, the sky and the fresh air, it can all make you feel more alive and invigorated.