The Real Cost Of Clutter & How It Affects Our Lives
Introduction
What you will learn:
- The real cost of clutter on our lives
- The effect clutter has on our physical and mental well being
- The best ways to get rid of clutter from your life
Have you ever wondered how much clutter is costing you, day in and day out? Many of us don't even ask ourselves that question. We just accumulate a bit by bit — I may need it sometime, I already have it but this looks prettier, it is on sale... And it is not easy for you to get rid of them because you spent money and have your emotion attached to them.
One thing is certain, clutter can have a real impact on your life. It might surprise you, but getting rid of clutter can help improve your life in many ways.
The real cost of clutter on our lives
Clutter is a big problem. According to an article by NBC News the average American home has 300,000 items, and the average home size is around 2,500 square feet (230 square meter). That's a lot of stuff.
The problem is that clutter can take a toll on our physical and mental health. When we live with too much stuff (and not enough space), it can affect our relationships, productivity and even how we feel about ourselves.
Here are some of the top reasons why you need to get rid of your clutter:
1) Clutter makes you feel depressed
2) Clutter makes you feel stressed out
3) Clutter can affect your family life
4) Clutter can lead to higher bills for storage and insurance.
The cost of clutter
Clutter can result in missed opportunities. If you're unable to find something you need, or have difficulty accessing something important, then you may miss out on opportunities that require you to do so. You may miss out on promotions at work or lose out on new clients because they don't like your messy office environment or lack of organisation skills.
Being organised improves efficiency so you're more likely to meet deadlines, which can help boost your productivity and ultimately increase your income.
Clutter can be an eyesore, but it's also costly! According to a study by the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), people who live in cluttered homes spend an average of $1,700 more per year on things like storage units and self-storage units than those who live in uncluttered spaces. That's money that could be going toward savings or investments that could help you reach financial goals sooner rather than later.
Source: https://organisemyhouse.com/clutter-statistics/
In addition to the financial impacts of clutter, there are also emotional costs involved with living amongst chaos..
The effect clutter has on our physical well being
Clutter isn't just a visual nuisance. It can also have a negative impact on your physical health.
- Clutter can affect your sleep and well-being
A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that clutter interferes with our ability to relax and sleep. The researchers found that people who had more stuff in their bedroom slept less than those without as much clutter in their bedrooms. They also felt more stressed when they woke up in the morning, due to the stress of their surroundings.
- Clutter can lead to obesity and diabetes
According to research conducted by the University of California at Los Angeles, people who live in messy homes are more likely to be overweight or obese than those living in tidy homes. The study further suggests that a cluttered home might lead people to overeat because it's harder to find healthy food options, which leads them down the path towards obesity and diabetes.
The effect clutter has on our mental well being
Clutter can affect our mental well being in a number of ways.
It can make us stressed and anxious, as we worry about getting rid of items or whether we have too much stuff. It can be overwhelming to think about decluttering and organising, especially if the clutter has been around for a while.
Clutter can have a significant impact on your life. In fact, it can be a sign that you are suffering from depression or anxiety.
The first step to getting rid of clutter is recognising that it’s a problem. If you have any of these signs, get in touch!
- You often find yourself not getting things done as much as you should. Do you spend time to look at new items on internet, or tidy up your desk before getting in the productive mode?
- You cannot remember where the things are and get frustrated.
- You want to be organized but you cannot lose things you have. So, you spend more money to get organizers (shelves, dividers, apps, etc).
The best ways to get rid of clutter from your life
If you’re someone who has a hard time getting rid of things, you’re not alone.
Being able to let go of stuff isn’t just a matter of having too much stuff — it can be a sign of deeper issues that need to be addressed.
If you find yourself struggling with clutter and overspending, here are some tips for starting to declutter your life:
- The first step is to accept that you have a lot of items you don’t need. The next step is deciding what kind of clutter is bothering you the most — physical or digital? Once you know this, it will be easier to come up with solutions on how to deal with it.
- Ask yourself why you hold on to things. Do you keep things because they make you feel safe? Or do they make you feel nostalgic? Are there any specific memories attached to them?
- Make lists of all the reasons why you want to keep each item. Once you know where this stuff came from, it will make it easier for you to part with it.
Conclusion: Get Rid Of Clutter And Simplify Your Life
Getting rid of clutter makes your home a more comfortable environment, saves you money and time, and may improve your mental health. While it can be difficult to throw away precious belongings, it's important to remember that clutter takes up unnecessary space and gets in the way of everyday activities. If you need to get rid of items in order to start fresh, remember that there are plenty of charitable organisations ready to accept your donations.