Unsung Heroes
De-cluttering
Do you have a drawer that doesn’t close because there’s a bit too much stuffed into it. And maybe also a rack in the cellar you’d rather avoid, as things in it – both useful and useless – do not mix so well? Well, you’d be in good company. Most of us collect objects that sooner or later take on “junk” status. The good news is that when we de-clutter, we bring order not only to our belongings but also to our thoughts; we free our minds. Chaos commands
our attention, because it’s a constant reminder of things we haven’t got done. Every cramymed drawer, every full-to-bursting cupboard is like a to-do list with many items still to be crossed out. So de-cluttering is good. Studies show that tidy environments both reduce stress and strengthen the feeling of being back in control, on top of things again. We can see what we have and find what we’re looking for more quickly.
Should you finally get around to indulging in a de-clutter, do yourself a favor and start small. Experts advise sticking to short stints within clearly defined time periods. Week one: the sock drawer; week two: the bathroom cupboard; then move on to the overflowing bookshelf and finally the cellar. At every stage, it’s useful to ask yourself the same question: Do I really need this or am I only keeping it because, well, it did come in handy once? Set yourself a timer for how long you want to stick at it and remind yourself that memories are part of you, not part of objects. The big prize here is not so much empty shelves and instagrammable drawers, but a home you feel comfortable in and that doesn’t weigh you down. It’s a great feeling that makes all the effort worthwhile.
The world is full of things that perform their prescribed roles with serene reliability. They control traffic, make sending packages easy, and ensure that processes can be planned securely and do not grind to a halt. We have come to rely on such things to the point where we now afford them little further thought. Indeed, our attention tends to be drawn instead to things that are not working so well.
Which is a shame, as, if we zoom in a little, there is much to discover in the small details of unsung heroes like roundabouts, barcodes, checklists, and breathing exercises. All are rooted in a core focus on people and their needs. Understanding why something works can sharpen our awareness of how our day-to-day life can be made easier or more stress-free.
In ATLAS #25, we’re inviting you to view things differently, to look more closely at apparently unremarkable staples of life that help us in pretty remarkable ways.
