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When most people think of decluttering, they tend to focus on chores and the frustration of living in clutter. But setting aside time for fun and leisure activities is a crucial part of organizing life that you’re happy with.

Why Does Leisure Time Matter for Decluttering?

Have you ever tried organizing and decluttering a space when your mind felt just as crowded as the messy room you were trying to tackle? It’s not easy, is it?

As kids, most of us had a lot more time to play. Everyone knows playtime is important for kids to learn about themselves and the world around them. But as we mature into adulthood, the idea of play as an essential part of life often falls by the wayside. But making time for enjoyment is a crucial part of creating a life that’s worth living.

When your life is full of richness and enjoyment, you’ll have an easier time maintaining your spaces and keeping them functional. You won’t just be clearing away clutter and organizing for its own sake – you’ll be doing it so you can better enjoy your life and do the things you want to do.

Taking time to enjoy hobbies is also an excellent way to clear your mind and declutter your emotions – remember talking about that earlier in the series? Intention-setting and emotional processing are all important. But sometimes, what you need most is just to spend an afternoon laughing and having fun.

Benefits of Leisure Time

Everyone knows taking time off from our regular daily tasks is enjoyable and relaxing. But it’s also revitalizing and energizing. The time we expend on pursuing fun refuels us, letting us take on our daily lives refreshed and with zeal. Leisure time also:

• Instills vigor and new energy
• Provides a break from routine
• Fulfills a universal need for joy and rejuvenation
• Expands our horizons
• Encourages creativity
• Encourages mindfulness and living in the moment

How to Make Room for Leisure in Your Life

Start by considering what relaxes and nourishes you. What makes you feel like your most complete, authentic self? What activities leave you feeling refreshed, rather than depleted? Follow that.

Focus less on what you think you “should” be doing for leisure and more about how different leisure activities make you feel. Maybe you feel guilty watching an hour of trash TV, but you can feel your muscles relaxing while you do. Then indulge in it! Or maybe your soul feels fed by spending an hour in an art gallery. Let yourself make time for that investment.

It’s easy to think of free time and play as a luxury. But if done correctly, it’s not a waste of time. It’s not a reward for a day’s hard work – it’s a prerequisite! Instead of thinking of playtime as a treat, you’ll enjoy after you finish your to-do list, include it as part of that to-do list. Schedule your free time just like you would a meeting, family outing, or other daily tasks. Make it a priority. Then treat it with the same importance as you do the rest of your to-do list – because it’s just as important, if not more so!

Ideas for Leisure Activities

• Local travel
• Being in nature
  • Local arboretum
  • National parks
  • Natural green spaces
  • Hiking or camping (if that’s your thing)
• Arts and crafts
• Painting
• Music
• Dancing
• Singing
• Cooking (for fun, not just for maintenance)
• Reading

Getting in touch with what leisure activities feed your soul can take some time and experimentation – we’re often out of practice with finding what we enjoy. But consider it an investment in yourself. You’ll likely find it’s much easier to keep your life organized and decluttered when you feel lighter and happier.

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