What is the psychology behind clutter?

According to Psychology Today, clutter causes stress in part because of its excessive visual stimuli. It also signals to our brains that our work is never done and creates guilt, anxiety and the feeling of being overwhelmed.

What does clutter mean psychologically?

“Clutter is an overabundance of possessions that collectively create chaotic and disorderly living spaces,” said Joseph Ferrari, a professor of psychology at DePaul University in Chicago who studies the causes of clutter and its impact on emotional well-being.

What is clutter a symptom of?

Behavioral/psychological: Clutter caused by depression, attention deficit disorder, low self-esteem or lack of personal boundaries. Time/life management: Clutter caused by the need for better planning. Of these, the behavioral/psychological-driven clutter is the hardest to solve.

What does clutter say about your personality?

Clutter in the living room might suggest blockages in your social life, as well as your relationship with yourself, while a cluttered bedroom might relate to issues surrounding your sexual self, fears of intimacy or gender roles.

What does it mean when you have clutter?

So what does clutter mean? An excess of unnecessary or unloved belongings, that accumulate into an overwhelming mess.

The Psychology of Disorganization and Clutter / the real reasons you can't get organized or clean up

What is the spiritual meaning of clutter?

Spiritual clutter includes the thoughts and worries that waste our time and energy. We have thousands of thoughts a day and many of them are the same mental clutter that we've had for days, months, or years.

Is clutter related to trauma?

Excessive clutter and disorganization are often symptoms of a bigger health problem. People who have suffered an emotional trauma or a brain injury often find housecleaning an insurmountable task.

Is clutter a mental illness?

Sheila Woody, a psychologist who specializes in hoarding disorders at UBC, says that although clutter is not a mental illness, it can affect mental health. “It's stressful to be in a cluttered environment,” says Woody. According to Psychology Today, clutter causes stress in part because of its excessive visual stimuli.

What does a messy house say about a person?

Psychology says that messiness can indeed be a sign that a person is having trouble. Just like someone who is suffering from OCD and has to control everything, being a messy person might show that they are dealing with depression or some other mental illness.

Why do we hold on to clutter?

We feel guilty about getting rid of something from someone we love. Guilt can play a big role in our resistance to decluttering. “We often feel guilty if we're getting rid of something from someone we love,” says Trager.

What clutter does to your brain?

But research shows disorganisation and clutter have a cumulative effect on our brains. Our brains like order, and constant visual reminders of disorganisation drain our cognitive resources, reducing our ability to focus. The visual distraction of clutter increases cognitive overload and can reduce our working memory.

What is the difference between clutter and hoarding?

A person with hoarding issues retains harmful items that eventually create a toxic environment. People with clutter in their homes typically store accumulated items in the basement or attic, where the objects have little impact on the everyday household functioning.

When clutter is emotionally overwhelming?

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.

Why do I struggle to get rid of stuff?

The Link Between What You Have and Who You Are

The objects you struggle to get rid of are likely tied to your self-worth, according to a 2011 study published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology. Rather than viewing those objects as "mine," you may think of them as "me."

Why do I get angry when my house is messy?

Clutter constantly signals to our brains that our work is never done. Clutter makes us anxious because we're never sure what it's going to take to get through to the bottom of the pile.

Does clutter cause negative energy?

Clutter can make it difficult to get things done, to find what you need, and to live in an orderly and efficient manner. When we spend time everyday looking for our keys or trying to find that one pair of pants, we can become frantic and stressed, allowing this negative daily energy to build up over time.

Are intelligent people messy?

A messy desk and intelligence go hand in hand.

A study by the University of Minnesota suggests, that the messy desk of geniuses is actually linked to their intelligence. If you don't spend much time cleaning and organizing everything around you, your mind is obviously occupied with more important stuff.

Is being messy a personality trait?

Is your messiness habitual? Some people simply do not place a high priority on having everything clean, organized, and in its place. In this case, messiness is simply a normal state of affairs. If the house is cluttered and it's just fine with you, then it's probably more a sign of your personality and preferences.

Can a dirty house make you depressed?

A messy room can be a sign of depression or another mental health issue. Clutter affects your mood and can cause more anxiety or stress.

Is clutter an addiction?

Symptoms of Addiction

Cluttering is considered to a compulsive activity which is emotionally-driven and causes alterations of one's mood. Cluttering causes mild to severe and often progressive negative consequences similar to those caused by Addiction Disorders.

What is the fear of clutter called?

Ataxophobia is an extreme, irrational fear of disorder or untidiness. People may feel intense distress in messy environments or even while thinking about disorder. This specific phobia is closely linked with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

How do you deal with living with a slob?

How do I get rid of all clutter?

Does decluttering help with depression?

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.

What is quieting decluttering?

The concept involves taking every single item out of a room and then, slowly, replacing only what you really want, miss, or need. The results contain absolutely nothing that doesn't contribute to your happiness. With nothing to weigh you down, you and your room are quiet, just like the name of the practice promises.