You can be a person who enjoys arranging things and needs everything in pristine condition or someone who can easily thrive in a cluttered environment.

Clutter is defined as ‘a collection of things lying around in an untidy mass’, and researchers have found that it can have a prominent effect on the mental wellbeing of a person. 

Namely, researchers at the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute discovered that living or working in a cluttered environment can inhibit the ability to focus and process information, and lead to stress and anxiety.

Clutter actually overwhelms the mind with too many stimuli, making the senses to work overtime, and drawing the focus, inhibiting the productivity and creativity. It causes constant stress to the mind, a feeling of guilt and frustration, and makes it difficult to relax and fulfill the desired accomplishments.

Therefore, researchers maintain that one can clear up the mind by decluttering the surroundings. Namely, hoarding and holding onto things you do not want to let go can cause the “clutter effect”, which is characterized by stress anxiety, and overwhelm, as well as mental and emotional health issues. 

If you are living surrounded by clutter, do not worry, as there are some simple things you can do to deal with it, without stressing out:

Streamline/declutter – Take some time to get rid of some things you do not need or want anymore, donate old clothes, have a yard sale, give them to your friends, or just throw them away.

Keep your papers organized – The piles of papers on the desk can make a huge mess, so organize them and find a space, like a drawer, where you will always store them

Decorate your space – Buy some new baskets, interesting cups, and stickers, that will make the organizing of your home more fun

Create designated spaces – Create designated spots for things you use but take much space, like hair products in the bathroom, work supplies in your desk, etc.

Make cleaning fun –  Especially if you have kids, you can make them want to help you if you present cleaning the home as a fun activity  make cleaning and decluttering fun; like a game and not something you need to worry about or

We are living in an era of consumerism, and we cannot avoid the fact that we need to buy and consume thins. Yet, it can all have its limits. We can slow the influx of possessions in the home, and manage clutter efficiently.

The first step in slowing the accumulation of things at home us to change the mindset and evaluate every single purchase we intend to do.  Remember, purchases cost far more than the price on the sticker, as we also invest our time, effort, and energy in them when they enter our home.

Therefore, next time you plan to buy something, ask yourself if you really need that item if you have enough place to store it, how much extra work it will require from you, and whether you buy it from the right reasons.

It is completely possible to live in a clutter-free home, and you can take small steps and make it happen. As soon as you start clearing up the clutter, you will feel more secure, free, and satisfied, and you improve your mental and emotional health.

Source: goodfullness.net