As I’ve said before, “Physical clutter leads to emotional clutter.” There’s proof. Researchers a UCLA recently discovered a direct link between symptoms of depression and a cluttered home. Specifically, they found that women’s stress levels (and cortisol levels) rise when their homes are cluttered, while men don’t seem bothered nearly as much. (Surprised, anyone 🙂 ) Actually, my hubby’s probably bothered by clutter even more than I am. But I digress…
The study also found that, while many people want to clutter their homes, many feel “emotional paralyzed,” unable to part with items of sentimental value or perceived monetary value.
Read more about this study here.
Get great tips on organizing and decluttering, including how to deal with sentimental items, in my book, Get Organized This Weekend: How to Declutter Using the A.C.T. System for Home Organizing
What are your biggest decluttering dilemmas? Share in a comment below!
I read this study recently as well. I know for me it is most definitely true. Clutter makes me anxious and a dirty home depresses me. However, my mom has become a bit of a hoarder in recent years. And going to their house stresses me out, but to her, her stuff is like a physical source of comfort. But that is probably a whole different issue altogether! I hate paper clutter. I have to file important documents quickly, otherwise the clutter will annoy me and I will throw them away . . .
My mom was like that too. But a cross-country move to Arizona when they paid their mover by the pound seems to have cured her of that hoarding tendency! 😉 If I don’t deal with paper clutter immediately, especially mail, it becomes a messy pile on my kitchen island. So I open my mail right over the recycling can. All the envelopes, junk mail, etc, go right in there. The island is my “hot spot.” When it’s a mess, I’m stressed out. When it’s neat and uncluttered, I can tolerate a little more mess everywhere else. With kids, mess is inevitable. I’ve had to learn to deal with a bit more mess than I like, for the sake of my sanity!
Is clutter an effect of depression or a cause?
Great question! The study just proved a link or connection between the two, not causation. But I’ve found from personal experience, and from listening to women every time I speak on the topics of organizing, decluttering, and simplicity, that clutter can actually cause anxiety, depression, and feelings of helplessness in many people. Once their spaces get decluttered, they feel better. I’m sure it can be a symptom, too. What have you experienced?