BY ASHLEY GREENE, FW WRITER

With the arrival of spring, many of us are ready to move out of the cold weather and into the sunshine. Whether it’s a bold new haircut or new wardrobe, we are ready for a fresh start. This spring revival also means cleaning the clutter we collected from last year to now. Yes, I know cleaning is a tedious task, but if I have learned anything from A&E’s reality documentary, Hoarders, it’s that clutter prevents a person from living a normal and healthy life. Clutter can affect the mind, body, and soul. Here are just a few examples of how a messy place can affect you in each category.

Your Mind
Have you ever tried reading while sitting at a desk full of papers and find yourself unable to concentrate? This is how clutter affects the mind. Clutter in the mind is equally comparable to physical clutter. Psychologists say the mind can only hold one thought at a time and you need to ask yourself: is this thought really worth it?

Your Body
Besides actually falling over items – clutter affects your body’s daily routine. If you feel trapped in your messy room, this is a physical sign your body is reacting to the clutter. You will automatically move away from a claustrophobic area into a tidier area.

Your Soul
The soul, similar to the mind, needs to be spiritually fulfilled. Clutter negatively changes your emotions, making you depressed and lack energy. Your soul responds to the environment. If your home is in disorder with clutter you can almost guarantee your emotions will react to the atmosphere.

If you feel clutter is overbearing in your life, here some solutions that can help you.

For your mind:
Meditate. Take 10-15 minutes for yourself and clear your mind. Sit in a silent area away from distractions and completely tune out. This exercise helps you relax and promote inner clarity.

For Your Soul:
Create a cleaning schedule. Each week commit to one day a week to clean your home. You can start with one section at a time, such as your closet or bathroom. While you clean, play your favorite song to put you in a pleasant mood. This will do two things: make cleaning more fun and create a positive atmosphere which you enjoy being in.

For your body:
After you meditate and clean, situate yourself in a room in your house that is usually cluttered. In this room use an air freshener such as a diffuser and essential oil. At the same time clear a spot on the floor and do some bodyexercises. Doing both of these actions allow you to become more relaxed in the area and encourage you to keep this particular area clean.

“Remember, it takes time to start noticing change but if you dedicate yourself to organizing your home and life, you will see the difference”