90% of households – her own included – have clutter, says Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy.
Why do we collect clutter?
Low self-esteem
We tend to hang onto our possessions for many deep-seated reasons. Clutter is linked to feelings of low self-esteem. We may feel more valuable in society if we have more possessions. When we feel worthless, we believe we will never attain our dreams and desires and fill the gap by stockpiling items around us.
can’t say no
Sometimes we accumulate clutter just because we can’t say no. Relatives want to pass on family heirlooms and we may feel we can’t refuse, and end up storing ancient memorabilia we don’t know how to get rid of.
Fearing change
Clutter can become a feature because we all fear change. We may have become acclimatised to living in a cluttered space that makes us feel safe. Facing up to decluttering brings the fear of the unknown. None of us likes having to adapt to new situations.
Fearing failure
We can’t attempt the declutter because we fear we might fail. The task may seem overwhelming. If already feel low in self-esteem, and worthless, we fear this decluttering is something else we will fail at. It’s impossible even to get started.
psychological or psychiatric conditions
Hoarding is commonly linked to psychological or psychiatric conditions. It is more common in people suffering from anxiety and depression. It’s also associated with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCD) and is sometimes found in conjunction with eating disorders, pica (eating non-food items), Prader-Willi syndrome, dementia, and psychosis.
Why should we declutter?
The Simplicity Institute surveyed 2,500 people and concluded that 87% felt happier after getting rid of their clutter.
Relief
Decluttering experts report that people often burst into tears when decluttering has taken place, with sheer relief. They feel far less anxious, and generally calmer when they have made the decision and parted with these excess goods.
Confidence
Decluttering is associated with many positive psychological benefits. Once you have faced up to it and made a start, you will begin to feel proud of your decision-making skills and more confident. Decluttering can be quite an energising experience.
Relieves household tension
Living with clutter causes a great deal of family stress. Once you start to deal with the clutter and can see the fruits of your labours, this relieves a lot of household tension. Family life is likely to improve.
Theraputic
Decluttering may be especially therapeutic for those with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In fact, hoarding has recently been recognised as a mental health disorder. By reorganising and streamlining, life will become calmer and easier. However, if the task is overwhelming, they may benefit from the assistance of a professional de-clutterer.
For those suffering from a hoarding disorder, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) may be an effective treatment.
What are the risks to our health?
High stress
In a study of parenting in a cluttered home as opposed to an uncluttered home, salivary amylase levels were elevated in the cluttered home group. Amylase is a marker of stress which shows the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) (‘the fight fright and flight system’) is now on high alert. Cluttering is also associated with other markers of stress such as a rapid heart rate. Mothers in cluttered homes have comparatively raised levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.
Chronic inflammation
Living in constant stress increases the level of chronic inflammation which puts physical health at risk. For example, the immune system functions less well, increasing susceptibility to coughs, colds, flu and other infections.
Poor parenting
Clutter leads to chaos in the home and results in negative emotions such as anger and conflict. It may even increase the risk of child maltreatment and child abuse.
Emotional distress
Research has linked clutter to poor decision-making, indecisive behaviour and procrastination. We may not realise it but living with clutter increases emotional stress and can lead to emotional eating, increased tension at work, lower productivity and reduced quality of life.
Overeating
77% of people living in cluttered homes are overweight or obese. In one study, those living in a cluttered environment were twice as likely to eat a chocolate bar as those living in an orderly environment.
Poor sleep
We sleep better in an uncluttered bedroom. Medical evidence supports the fact that hoarders have a 2-5 times increased risk of poor sleep quality, waking frequently at night and feeling fatigued during the daytime.
Clutter – how to fix it
There’s no quick fix for clutter, but, however bad the clutter, you can do something to improve it. Nothing is insurmountable. Think positive!
Get motivated
Think of all the reasons life will be so much better when you’ve done it.
Make a plan
Start small, just in one corner of the room. Perhaps just clear out one drawer and go from there. Ask a friend or family member for help if needed. Talk over why you don’t want to part with certain items. This can help your decision-making.
How to do it
Take everything out of the drawer and lay it on the bed or the floor. Look at each item one at a time. When did you last use it/wear it? What does it mean to you? If you haven’t used it or worn it for 12 months either throw it away, recycle, or sell it. Praise yourself for each item you reject. Feel gratitude for the items you love and are keeping.
Make some money
Find out how to sell on sites such as eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree and Vinted. Why not make some money out of your unwanted goods?
Charity shops
Make some charity shop donations. It feels good to give to charity and allow some good to come out of your unwanted things.
Go to the tip
Take your rubbish to the tip. You often have to make an appointment in advance. You will also find bins for clothing, shoes, glass and paper recycling. It feels so good driving home from the tip when you’ve done it.
Make it clean
When you’ve sorted the rubbish clean out the drawers and cupboards and make them smell nice. You could add some scented drawer liners. You might like to buy some adjustable drawer liners to help organise your drawers’ streamlined contents.
Improve your storage
Think about what you could do to improve your storage, such as storage boxes, zip-up bags under the bed and shoe holders inside your wardrobe.
Shop differently
Don’t buy clutter. From now on, think hard before you part with your hard-earned cash. Do you really need that item? Where will you keep it? If you buy it, what can you throw away instead? Think minimalist. Life is so much simpler with fewer possessions.
Get professional help
If this is all too much, you might like to seek help from the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers (APDO). You can find a personal organiser in your area by clicking here. They are professionally trained and able to help with both the physical and mental issues associated with cluttering and decluttering.
Final thoughts
I think Stacey Solomon has it right. Taking time to ‘sort your life out’ could have very real and long-lasting benefits. Clutter could be the root cause of so many of our issues – from being overweight to not being able to sleep.
I hope this post has given you some food for thought. None of us like change, but once we’ve done it, we often wish we had done it much earlier.
