Clutter is something all of us have to a varying degree. Whether it be a messy desk, random items strung out on the floor, or even a dirty sink. Clutter can impact our lives in numerous ways that you may not have even realized. Because of this, we probably should think about doing a bit of decluttering.
Today we’re going to talk about the benefits of reducing our clutter. But before we do, it’s important we go over how our mess is harmful to us in the first place.
Here are a few of the many ways that untidy conditions can negatively affect us.
Poor self-esteem
Having excess clutter can easily lead people to develop low self-esteem. Everyone wants to feel in control of their own lives. But that cannot be a reality if we cannot even control the environment that we live in.
In extreme cases, the shame of being so unorganized and messy can even lead people to go to great lengths to avoid having company over altogether.
Possible weight gain
Studies have shown that weight gains accompany messy spaces. As the clutter gets worse, so do the excessive weight gains and binge-eating symptoms.
Furthermore, another study has shown that an untidy kitchen can be a catalyst for unhealthy eating.
Ways Clutter Negatively Affects Your Health (webmd.com)
Increased stress
Research has shown that cluttered areas raise our levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Clutter Makes You Stressed and Depressed. Here’s How to Get Rid of It (daveasprey.com)
Other negative consequences include:
- Increased risk of falling
- Poorer concentration 12 Surprising Ways Clutter Is Ruining Your Life [Infographic] | HuffPost Contributor
- Respiratory problems 4 Health Hazards Caused By A Cluttered Home (medusamagazine.com)
Now that we see how harmful our mess can be, we can move on to decluttering and how it can benefit us.
What is decluttering?
If clutter is our junk, then decluttering is getting rid of that junk.
There are different degrees of decluttering. Each is important in its own right.
First, there is low-level decluttering, which involves little time and effort put in on your end.
An example of this could be throwing away an empty Mcdonald’s bag or cleaning off a messy work desk.
Second, there is high-level decluttering. This will involve considerable time and effort and may even require multiple individuals to pull it off more easily.
An example of this would be shifting through your home and getting rid of everything that you do not need.
Bear in mind I have coined these phrases for simplicities sake. They are not official terms.
Whatever the extent of the decluttering may be, there are a host of benefits that we can receive from doing it.
Here are a few of the best.
Decluttering can help you save money
When you declutter, you have the opportunity to save a lot of money. Here are a couple of examples of how:
- You won’t have to pay for a storage building.
Many people pay a monthly fee to have their items in a storage building. Although it may seem convenient, the money can really add up over time.
Because of this, it makes sense to declutter your items instead. Doing so will help you save a lot of money in the long run, as well as help you purge yourself of useless items.
- You can sell your unused belongings.
You shouldn’t dismiss the idea of selling some of your stuff. Just because you no longer use it doesn’t mean someone else wouldn’t find it worthwhile.
Think about it, would you rather throw it away and get nothing, or give it to someone who would want it and make a few quick bucks as a result?
You will find things more easily
We spend countless hours searching for our lost items. Unsurprisingly, a big reason for that is due to cluttered living conditions.
If everything is a mess, then obviously it will be difficult to find the things we need. Fortunately, a bit of decluttering can fix that problem.
By decluttering what we don’t need, we can find items in a fraction of the time we would have before.
Taking the time to get rid of our trash and items that are no longer useful to us can make a stark difference. Which can lead to:
Feeling more in control of your life
As I stated previously, people want to feel as if they are in control of their lives. Maintaining an ideal living environment plays a key role in that.
Both positive and negative actions can create changes in our brains. If we live in a messy living space, it will create stress and depression, resulting in feelings of helplessness.
Taking control over our surroundings by decluttering is a solution to this problem.
You can do your chores more quickly
If you get rid of the items you do not regularly use, your chores will take less time to complete. All of this will add up and allow you to allot more time to more pressing matters.
Conclusion
Excessive clutter can play a negative role in our lives. All of our items cost money and space. Therefore, in the interest of frugality, it is best for us to only buy things we are certain we will use.
Otherwise, what’s the point?
Our homes are very important to us. So, let’s treat them well by keeping them in tip-top shape.