Even with impulsive highs and discouraged lows, thoughtful KonMari-inspired strategies can help you organize gently — on your own terms.
Because I have bipolar disorder, I struggle with a tumultuous mind. I need my surroundings to be peaceful and clutter-free.
When hypomania crowds my thoughts with too many ideas at once, I breathe deeply and take in my environment to rebalance myself. If that environment is disheveled, my mind feels more scattered. And when I’m depressed, a messy house only adds to the overwhelming sense of dread.
Depression already makes me self-critical. If I see unfolded laundry, dirty dishes, and full to-do lists, my self-esteem suffers even more.
Discovering Marie Kondo and Her ‘KonMari Method’
While perusing Netflix one day, I came across the hit show everyone had been talking (and blogging) about: Tidying Up With Marie Kondo. I watched a few episodes and was transfixed.
She seems to have single-handedly solved one of the most challenging problems we all face: Clutter. Through her methods of organizing — and, above all, owning your intentions — she’s infused a little bit of Japanese minimalism into millions of lives.
The ‘KonMari Method’ isn’t just another way to pare down. It’s a way to live your life with purpose through straightening up. When the final episode ended, I excitedly rolled up my sleeves and started emptying cabinets and clearing off shelves.
Bipolar Disorder and Making Impulsive (Decluttering) Decisions
The thing is, because I have bipolar disorder, I have unique needs. I’ve made more than my fair share of impulsive decisions I regret — from buying things I don’t need to getting rid of things I do.
This wouldn’t be the first time I’d tried to “clean out” my life. Remember capsule wardrobes? I jumped on that bandwagon years ago, fully convinced I could live the rest of my life with only 15 articles of clothing. Boy, was I ever wrong.
In my cleaning frenzy, I’d hastily donated a fancy dress I thought I’d never wear. A week later, I was invited to a wedding — and that dress would’ve been perfect.
In my rush to create the “perfect” capsule wardrobe, I ended up with just T-shirts and jeans. I went overboard, and I regretted it.
Decluttering With Care When You Have Bipolar Disorder
Do you want to declutter? If so, ask yourself some questions:
- Is your house bursting at the seams with piles of stuff you don’t use, don’t need, and, above all, don’t want?
- Are you frustrated when you can’t find a pair of scissors or that box of holiday wrapping paper?
- Do you feel anxious and overwhelmed by how much you own — like it’s pressing in on you?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then serious simplifying may be right for you.
But if you love the idea of pulling a comfy old sweater out of a drawer on a cold night — and you feel soothed by snuggling into its cozy fuzziness with a cup of hot chocolate — then it’s important to declutter with care.
Believe it or not, there is a middle ground that’s made for us.
5 Decluttering Hacks for Those With Bipolar Disorder
Before you watch Tidying Up With Marie Kondo and start filling boxes with books you swear you’ll never read again — or fancy glassware because you’re sure your entertaining days are over — check out my five decluttering hacks, designed with bipolar disorder in mind.
1. Make a List of Rooms or Items You’d Like to Declutter
Once you’ve thought about what you want to get out of decluttering and why, write down a few parts of your house that are manageable to tackle first.
I started with these five because they’re the parts of my life I interact with most often. Your list may be different, so feel free to adapt it to your own lifestyle.
- Kitchen Do you have five spatulas but only use two? Are you holding onto gadgets you’ve never used? Open your drawers and cabinets and look for duplicates. Pick the best quality ones and place the extras in a box. If there’s food in the fridge that’s gone bad, toss it out and recycle the container. There’s no reason to keep moldy food around.
- Clothes Does your closet contain clothes that no longer fit or that you’d be embarrassed to wear, even to the gas station? Box those up. If you haven’t worn something in a year, add that too. Keep what soothes you — like a favorite sweatshirt — and don’t forget to save one or two special-occasion pieces (trust me on that one).
- Bathroom If you have five nail clippers, choose the most durable. If your hairbrush collection is out of control, narrow it down. Toss expired, dried-out, or off-smelling products, rinse the containers, and recycle them.
- Living Area: I cannot emphasize this enough: Never get rid of books, CDs, DVDs, or any media you think you might ever revisit for any reason. Reading, watching movies, and listening to music are experiences that can be anchors when our minds feel adrift. For example, the movie, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, always calms me. If you’re short on space, store these items out of sight — or organize them in a way that brings you joy.
- Medicine Ahh, meds. I have a cabinet full of them. From vitamins to allergy medication to, of course, my prescription pills, medications are an essential facet of my life. Go through your meds and discard anything expired. Taking old medications can be dangerous. I also recycle the plastic bottles they came in.
2. Separate Items Into Two Boxes: ‘Donate’ and ‘Unsure’
I use labeled boxes, and if an item gives me pause for more than five seconds, it goes into the “Unsure” box.
I revisit that box when I’m in a different state of mind. Because bipolar disorder can cause unpredictable mood shifts, I try to avoid making permanent rash decisions I might regret later.
3. Make Sure Everything You Keep Has a Place
Once the unnecessary stuff is boxed up, go through what’s left and assign it a logical, accessible place.
Try to remember where things go, or jot them down. Knowing where your essentials are reduces stress dramatically.
4. Put Things Back Right After You Use Them
Now that you’ve done the hard work, try to maintain it. Return things to their designated spots as soon as you’re finished using them.
It’s always easier to put away one or two items than to redo the whole process again later. You’ll thank yourself for it later.
5. Don’t Actually Get Rid of Anything … Yet
This is the most important hack: Give yourself at least six months before you get rid of anything (excluding spoiled food, expired medicine, or dried-up lotions).
Your mood, state of mind, or lifestyle may change — and that’s okay. Waiting gives you time to make sure you won’t need something down the line.
Once you’re confident about the “Donate” box, go ahead and donate it with peace of mind. Then reassess the “Unsure” box and see if anything now feels ready to go.
Temporary decisions are always better than permanent ones. That’s a truth I return to often.
A Final Thought: Gratitude and Intention
One of the things Marie Kondo suggests is thanking your belongings before letting them go. It may sound a bit hokey, but there’s wisdom in the practice. It’s about acknowledging how things make you feel. It’s about intention.
But here’s my version for those of us with bipolar disorder: Instead of thanking your things, thank yourself.
Thank yourself for paying attention to your unique needs. For getting organized. For treating yourself with care.
By being aware of your thirst for peace and order — and owning your “why” — you’re giving yourself a tremendous gift. You’re showing yourself compassion, and that’s one of the most powerful things you can do.
UPDATED: Originally posted June 14, 2019