How Does Clutter Impact Your Mental Health?

Have you ever felt distracted and stressed in a room full of clutter? Well, you’re not alone, as approximately 54% of
Americans feel overwhelmed by the clutter in their personal spaces. While new purchases and gifts may bring
temporary joy, your feelings may turn sour when these items accumulate in spaces and become unmanageable.

Yes, it may seem tempting to set aside your new items and leave the organization process for a later time. But if you
want to clear your space and your mind, here’s what you should know about the importance of organization and the
negative impact of clutter:

The Impact of Clutter on Your Mental Health

Clutter doesn’t start all at once. Rather, it develops over time because of your perception of your own items.

After conducting six experiments, a team of marketing professors discovered that people accumulate possessions
and build up clutter because of non-consumption. People fall into the mental trap of setting things aside for future
occasions because they find it hard to decide when to use objects. However, this is a downward spiral because the
more you don’t use an object, the more likely you’ll hold it out for an idealized future occasion. Unfortunately, these
items are more likely to end up as clutter, rather than living up to their idealization as a special item.

The researchers warned that this seemingly simple occurrence is destructive when the clutter becomes
unmanageable. Due to undiagnosed hoarding disorder or chronic disorganization, an individual may have difficulty
parting with possessions and end up losing control of their own lives.

Clutter can cause individuals to experience higher stress levels and feelings of suffocation in their own space. The
negative impact of clutter on one’s mental health can even cause a strain on personal relationships and affect one’s
living situation. This can also damage one’s financial status, since disorganization can lead to late bill payments,
missed deadlines, and excessive purchases. As the clutter builds up, so too does the toll on your mental, emotional,
financial, and social health.

How Can You Overcome Chronic Disorganization and Hoarding?

Clutter is difficult to deal with, especially when you’re tackling everything on your own. If you’re overwhelmed by mess
or struggling with chronic disorganization or hoarding disorder, you can seek the help of qualified professionals to get
on track towards a clutter-free life.

It’s important to consider working with a skilled professional given the link between clutter and mental health.
Research has shown that hoarding can stem from traumatic life events, a major depressive disorder, and even
anxiety, so getting the help of a mental health professional is a crucial first step towards recovery. By opening
yourself up to counseling, you can seek treatments that will help you find the power to overcome hoarding.

You can get started with psychiatrists who can assess your state of mind and help you design the best treatment plan
for your personal needs. If setting up a physical appointment seems too complicated, you can opt to speak to a
physician through telehealth services, which has become a very popular option among patients both during and after
the COVID-19 pandemic. Chronic disorganization and hoarding can make an impact on your financial wellness, so
telehealth solutions can also help you reduce any costs from commuting and reimbursement rates, without
compromising the quality of care that you can get for your recovery.

Finally, you can learn customized organization techniques by seeking professional organizing services from The
Organizer Coach. With the help of a professional organizer, you can gain mastery over organization through
techniques that works best for you. By developing personalized techniques through our professional services, you
can earn back your control over your time, money, and energy.

Recognizing your personal habits towards your possessions is a good first step towards change. With help from
professionals, you can take the next steps towards organizing your home and bringing peace back to your living
situation.

Article penned by Phyllis Ernestine for theorganizercoach.com