Declutter For A Cause Month is a month-long holiday in February, dedicated to clearing out home and office space to give unused items to charities. One of the reasons Declutter For A Month Cause is beneficial is that most charities and nonprofit organizations don’t have much funding. Most of them exist because of the passion and resilience of individuals who devote their lives to helping people in need. By participating in initiatives such as Declutter For A Cause month, we’re assisting charities and nonprofits by giving them our unused items and belongings to be used to take better care of their beneficiaries.
History of Declutter for a Cause Month
The exact historical origin of decluttering is somewhat buried in obscurity, but we do know that decluttering only became necessary during the age of consumerism when the accumulation of stuff began to take up more space than needed. Decluttering was not always done to give back to charity, however. In its earliest forms, decluttering was simply done to keep one’s environment tidy. In some cases, it is used as a form of therapy to manage mild mental health issues where decluttering has been scientifically proven to significantly boost an individual’s focus on work, for example. It is also very helpful in letting go of past traumatic or otherwise triggering experiences, the concept of “out of sight, out of mind.”
Decluttering subconsciously creates a state of calm and clearing out a space or getting rid of extraneous material also helps individuals become in tune with their immediate environment.
Decluttering in recent years has been made popular by Japanese author and consultant, Marie Kondo. Her work has heavily influenced the culture of decluttering and her method of doing so dubbed the “KonMari method,” has made decluttering less of a hassle.
Apart from the health and environmental benefits, decluttering is also a way to give back by contributing your unwanted items to charity organizations and giving to those who are in need.
Declutter for a Cause Month timeline
Japanese author and consultant Marie Kondo writes her first book on decluttering titled “The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up.”
Marie Kondo, widely associated with decluttering and tidying up, launches her own show “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo” made for T.V. by Netflix.
On October 19, 2019, a virtual ‘Declutter For A Cause’ event is held by a charity organization on Facebook.
This viral disease becomes a worldwide phenomenon resulting in lockdowns during which a great deal of decluttering happens.
Declutter for a Cause Month FAQs
What is decluttering?
Decluttering is simply the process of getting rid of excess items from one’s home or workspace to create more space.
How can I declutter for a cause?
If you have items that are in good condition but that you want to get rid of, you can easily look up charitable organizations in your locality through directories, or the internet.
Is decluttering healthy?
Yes, it is. Decluttering helps you to get rid of unhealthy and sometimes harmful items which are in your possession but that you do not use. Decluttering also helps sharpen the mind and generally elicits a feeling of fulfillment, hence it is a healthy activity.
Declutter for a Cause Month Activities
Get rid of expired foodstuff
Sometimes when we do our grocery shopping, we end up buying things we don’t immediately need or in fact, don’t need at all. This holiday is a good time to get rid of items that have already reached their expiry date before we’re able to consume them.
Gift some clothes
Other goods that people tend to buy in excess are clothing. Instead of hoarding clothes that we never wear and that unnecessarily take up space, Decluttering for a cause is an opportunity to give them away.
Donate your old books
Because books hold sentimental value, it’s common to hold onto them even if we know the story by heart. Instead of gathering dust on your shelf, give these books a second life where they can be enjoyed by those who might never get the opportunity to read them otherwise.
5 IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT DECLUTTERING
Decluttering creates calm
Decluttering your space will leave you feeling ‘lighter’ because of the after-effect of having shed some weight.
It makes one more productive
Decluttering your home or workspace makes you more constructive with your time because of your improved ability to focus.
Decluttering is good exercise
The physical effort needed to declutter increases your heart rate, improves circulation, and builds muscles.
Decluttering improves air quality
Clutter takes up the space needed for adequate ventilation and so, decluttering creates room to breathe easier.
Decluttering improves eating habits
Decluttering readjusts the brain and encourages a healthier way of living.
Why We Love Declutter for a Cause Month
Environmental benefits
Clutter negatively impacts our environment with landfills reaching critical mass. Declutter For A Cause month is an opportunity to reuse items making it a positive choice for the planet.
Mental health benefits
Decluttering creates calm. It allows the mind to focus.
Charitable cause
Declutter For A Cause month focuses on the act of giving. Items such as clothes and books that may no longer be useful to you could put a smile on someone’s face.
Declutter for a Cause Month dates
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2025 | February 1 | Saturday |
2026 | February 1 | Sunday |
2027 | February 1 | Monday |
2028 | February 1 | Tuesday |
2029 | February 1 | Thursday |