Why do I love decluttering
Mia Morrison
Published Mar 27, 2026
Separating from the past can heal us. We hang onto so many things because of the memories tied to them. When we de-clutter, we have the opportunity to interact not only with our physical possessions, but with the memories and feelings they trigger.
Why does it feel so good to declutter?
The decluttering process creates physical space and calendar space, and as a result it creates mental space. The simplified corners, shelves, and closets represent opportunities for your energy to flourish in new directions. Perhaps you’ll start reading more. Maybe you’ll start a new craft project!
Why do I feel better with less stuff?
Owning less makes your life so much better since it increases your happiness levels. Once you clear out your physical environment and get rid of unnecessary stuff, you’ll be able to fully appreciate your surroundings and focus on what’s important in your life.
Why is decluttering addictive?
Having a resistance to clutter is common. As Catherine explains, a lot of us feel a need to declutter because of the ‘extra cognitive burden’ excess possessions can have. When you have an anxiety disorder, this can cause overload.How do I live a Decluttered life?
- Back up everything stored digitally.
- Delete what doesn’t serve you.
- Organize files and apps.
- Toss the trash.
- Store specialty or seasonal items.
- Get rid of anything expired.
- Separate by seasons.
- Donate what you don’t wear.
Is cluttering a mental illness?
While cluttering is not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, it is widely recognized as a condition that affects both men and women in all socioeconomic classes and is commonly dealt with in psychotherapy and community support groups as are mental health disorders that also involve …
How do you emotionally declutter?
You must dig deep and identify the areas you are stuck in. Putting them in writing helps to have a clear vision of the overall picture – and the work that needs to be done. Once you’ve understood what might be limiting you from moving forwards, go into each scenario and really feel those emotions.
Why do I hate clutter so much?
Clutter can be a physical manifestation of mental health issues, Walsh tells WebMD. Those overwhelmed with “memory” clutter may have an undue preoccupation with things in the past and become depressed. Those who can’t toss out items because they worry they will need them may be too anxious, he says.What are the 4 types of OCD?
- Cleaning/contamination OCD. …
- Order/symmetry or counting compulsions OCD. …
- Harm OCD. …
- Hoarding OCD.
Decluttering can make you happy not only by improving your mental health, but also by improving your overall physical health. This is especially true if you have kids or pets, or live in high traffic areas such as the city. A decluttered room will be brighter, sunnier, and have superior air flow.
Article first time published onAre minimalists happier?
Overall, minimalists are happier because they have less worry, stress, and chaos in their lives. To a minimalist, material things are trivial compared to what they value most, which consists of quality time for relationships, time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, and spiritual health.
Why more stuff won't make you happy?
Studies confirm it. Buying material things don‘t make us happy. The pursuit and purchase of physical possessions will never fully satisfy our desire for happiness. It may result in temporary joy for some, but the happiness found in buying a new item rarely lasts longer than a few days.
What is Marie Kondo?
The KonMari Method™ encourages tidying by category – not by location – beginning with clothes, then moving on to books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items), and, finally, sentimental items. Keep only those things that speak to the heart, and discard items that no longer spark joy.
What does an organized life look like?
An Organized Life is Being “Company Ready” It doesn’t take you long because most of it is already organized. You could probably just put the last few items away, give the floor a quick mop, and you’re done. It’s the stage when you’ve got 90% done and there’s just 10% left that you can easily address next week.
What happens when you declutter your life?
SAVE TIME AND MONEY. When you declutter you spend less time caring, cleaning and searching for your stuff. … You also save money—you’re not accidentally buying duplicates (because you either can’t find or remember what you already own) and you’re not spending money on storage either.
What is emotional clutter?
We all have some emotions that we do not always deal with effectively. These emotions can affect our lives in many ways. These could be labeled “emotional clutter” and include feelings of resentment or anger, loss, fear or worry, insecurities and guilt or regret.
How do you deal with Undealt emotions?
go along with situations instead of expressing what you really want and need. use substances, TV, social media, or other activities to help you numb and avoid feelings you don’t want to explore. spend most of your time with other people to avoid being alone.
How do you tidy your mind?
- Declutter Your Physical Environment. Physical clutter leads to mental clutter. …
- Write It Down. …
- Keep a Journal. …
- Let Go of the Past. …
- Stop Multi-Tasking. …
- Limit the Amount of Information Coming In. …
- Be Decisive. …
- Put Routine Decisions on Auto-Pilot.
What does the Bible say about a cluttered home?
Finally, I found the story Jesus told in Luke 12: 15-21. “And he said to them, ‘Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.
Is clutter linked to depression?
Clutter can make us feel stressed, anxious and depressed. Research from the United States in 2009, for instance, found the levels of the stress hormone cortisol were higher in mothers whose home environment was cluttered.
How do I know I have too much stuff?
- Sort Your Clothing. One of the biggest items that people seem to contend with on their mission to de-clutter their homes is the amount of clothing they keep. …
- Losing Your Belongings. …
- General De-Cluttering. …
- Duplicate Items. …
- Drawer Cleaning. …
- Sentimentality. …
- Extended Unpacking. …
- Storage Bins.
Are people with OCD smart?
The researchers conducted a meta-analysis of all the available literature on IQ in OCD samples versus non-psychiatric controls (98 studies), and found that contrary to the prevailing myth, OCD is not associated with superior IQ, but with normative IQ that is slightly lower compared to control samples.
How did I develop OCD?
OCD is due to genetic and hereditary factors. Chemical, structural and functional abnormalities in the brain are the cause. Distorted beliefs reinforce and maintain symptoms associated with OCD.
Can OCD turn into schizophrenia?
This study, published September 3 in JAMA Psychiatry, found that a prior psychiatric diagnosis of OCD was associated with approximately a fivefold increased risk of developing schizophrenia.
Why am I so messy and disorganized?
There are many reasons for disorganization including perfectionism, lack of skills, our beliefs and indecision, as well as mental health and brain-related conditions. When we understand the reason, it can help increase our ability to become more organized (and stay that way!).
What is a cluttered mind?
Mental clutter refers to times when our mind has too many thoughts which makes it difficult to process and focus. A cluttered mind is disrupting and it hinders our productivity, balance and even our mental health.
What does a messy room mean psychologically?
Mental Health. Having a messy room might be the result of a lot of factors. It might mean you are busy and have little time to clean and organize. It might be a sign that you have too much stuff. Or it might be the result of having young kids in the house who are usually not motivated to clean up after themselves.
Can decluttering help anxiety?
If you’re looking for an easy way to reduce stress, decluttering your environment may be a good place to start. Getting rid of excess stuff can benefit your mental health by making you feel calmer, happier, and more in control. A tidier space can make for a more relaxed mind.
Can decluttering change your life?
WHY DECLUTTERING CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE… When tackled properly, it can be so much more than a quick sort through your home of what can be recycled, given to charity or thrown away. In fact, it can produce a fundamental shift in the way we think about our homes and our lives – and it can be incredibly empowering.
How long did Marie Kondo take at home?
Done properly, Kondo estimates in the book that it should take about six months, and while she allows that this might seem like a long time, really, “it is only six months out of your entire life.” (A representative from the KonMari brand has contacted Vox to say that Kondo has now revised this estimate, saying, “The …
Is Marie Kondo a minimalist?
Many people have equated my tidying method with minimalism, but it’s quite different. … Minimalism advocates living with less; the KonMari Method™ encourages living among items you truly cherish. The first step in my tidying method is to imagine your ideal lifestyle.