Why September is the Ideal Time to Declutter Your Home
September has always been a time of new starts for me. When I was younger, I had the excitement of back to school and new stationery (who doesn’t love starting out with new notebooks and pens?!) and now I’m older, it’s the excitement of my daughter heading back to school after the long summer holidays and me gaining some much needed headspace again. I love the return to routine that September brings. Amidst this return to structure and order, September presents a golden opportunity to declutter your home. In this article, I’ll share exactly why I think September is the ideal time to declutter your home.
1. Back-to-School Momentum
One of the primary reasons September is an excellent time to declutter your home is the momentum generated by the back-to-school season. With children and teenagers resuming their studies, parents often find themselves with a bit more time and a lot more mental clarity. Having that extra bit of time and the return to a predictable routine creates an ideal environment for tackling clutter and reorganizing living spaces. Having an empty house during the day also works wonders for letting you get on with the decluttering task in hand!
2. Transitioning Seasons
September also marks the transition from summer to autumn, a time when we naturally start swapping out our wardrobes and home decor. This change of seasons provides a practical reason to declutter as you assess which summer items can be stowed away and which autumn essentials should take their place. Decluttering before this transition helps ensure that you only keep items that are relevant and useful for the upcoming season.
3. Renewed Energy
The invigorating shift from the languid days of summer to the brisk days of early autumn can infuse you with renewed energy and motivation. Harnessing this energy can make the decluttering process feel less daunting and more enjoyable. The cooler weather encourages you to be active and engaged, making it a perfect time for physical tasks like decluttering.
4. Psychological Benefits
A cluttered home can contribute to feelings of stress and overwhelm. In contrast, a well-organized and decluttered space can have a positive impact on your mental well-being. September, with its association with new beginnings and fresh starts, is the ideal time to relieve yourself of the mental burden of clutter and create a more peaceful environment.
5. Preparing for the Holidays
As September rolls in, the holiday season is just around the corner and creeps up faster and faster every year. By decluttering your home early in September, you can get a head start on getting your home ready for Christmas. An organized and clutter-free home will make the holiday season more enjoyable and less stressful. It’s a great time to start a decluttering challenge too. You might like to use September as the ideal time to declutter using FREE 30 Day Declutter Challenge Workbook or Decluttering Challenge: 20 Bags in 20 Days for a Clutter-Free Home.
6. Increased Focus and Productivity
If you work from home or have a home office, decluttering your workspace can lead to increased focus and productivity. With children back in school, you may find more uninterrupted time to tackle home office organization, setting the stage for greater efficiency in your work.
7. Setting a Positive Example
By involving your children in the decluttering process during September, you not only teach them valuable life skills but also set a positive example of maintaining an organized and clutter-free environment. This can help instil good habits in them as they grow.
8. Maximizing Natural Light
With the sun’s angle changing as we move into autumn, September often offers beautiful natural light that can make the decluttering process more enjoyable. Open the curtains, let in the sunshine, and work with the light to see every nook and cranny that needs decluttering.
9. Local Donation Drives
Many communities organize donation drives and charity events in September, making it easy to donate items you no longer need. This allows you to declutter responsibly and contribute to causes you care about.
10. Space for Indoor Activities
As the weather turns cooler, you’ll likely be spending more time indoors. Clearing clutter provides more space for indoor activities, such as reading, crafting, or pursuing hobbies, making your home a more enjoyable and versatile space. It will give you the chance to create a cosy home, ready for those Autumn and Winter evenings.
September’s status as a time of new beginnings when children return to school, coupled with the changing of seasons and the psychological benefits of decluttering, makes it the ideal time to declutter your home and start on this home improvement journey. Whether you tackle one room at a time or take on the whole house, decluttering in September can set the tone for a more organized, stress-free, and enjoyable living environment. So, seize the momentum of this season and start decluttering your home today!
