Going through addiction treatment can be a traumatic and difficult experience, but ultimately one that when you get to the end will feel confident in entering a new stage and chapter in your life. As well as getting the right continued therapy, eating well and practicing other healthy habits, it can be important to declutter your home and life in readiness for a new start.
Private alcohol rehab centres provide you with the tools and skill sets you need to enter recovery and tackle the challenges it poses effectively. That said, it’s still incredibly challenging and there will be points, particularly early on when it is difficult.
Seeking support is vital, but it’s also incredibly important to ensure your home is in the best possible position to support your recovery, and often that can mean decluttering.
You know what they say about a tidy home being a tidy mind, well that is true. So, here are five reasons you should declutter your home when coming home from addiction treatment…
Eliminating Triggers
Firstly, clutter can act as a physical reminder of past behaviours and negative patterns, therefore potentially undermining your progress in treatment and recovery and potentially triggering cravings for the likes of alcohol and other substances. By decluttering, you’re eliminating those triggers and creating an environment in which you feel safe and stable.
Creating Space for Positive Change
Ultimately, decluttering is like a refresh. While it’s refreshing your home, it’s doing the same to your mind and can be a real positive change for transformation. It opens up space both physically and mentally, allowing you to breathe and see a brighter future.
Another reason it’s important to declutter is it’s a chance to let go of old habits and make room for new ones that are healthier and more supportive of your journey in maintaining sobriety.
Reducing Stress and Anxiety
Clutter has been linked to stress and higher levels of anxiety. When returning home from addiction treatment, this will be a point when emotions are running high and you’re more susceptible to feeling stress and anxiety, which in turn can lead to relapse.
A clutter free environment frees you of this particular stress factor, allowing you to be more focused on your recovery.
Cultivating Self-Reflection
The process of decluttering itself can be an introspective experience, prompting you to examine your relationship with material possessions as well as being clearer on identifying areas for personal growth.
You may uncover hidden emotions or memories around certain possessions, offering you valuable insights into your journey of recovery. It’s a real process of self-reflection, letting go of the past and embracing a more mindful future.
Fostering a Sense of Renewal
Finally, decluttering can provide you with a real symbolic act of renewal. It signals your commitment to change and a brighter future.
That can be an incredibly empowering experience and really set your stall out for a positive future in recovery.
Of course, decluttering doesn’t guarantee success in recovery, there is far more to it than that. However, it can be a valuable first step in creating a positive atmosphere and mindset in your home, which can hold you in good stead during those difficult early days.