If you know me, you know I often talk a lot about this subject. I feel pretty strongly that if you have a cluttered space, you have a cluttered mind. It’s hard to relax in any space if your brain is constantly working on processing everything in that space.
Let me back up just a minute… I am YOU! In the past, I was a collector. I had no less than seven sets of dishes…..one for every season. I loved ceramic pitchers, and I believe I had at least fifteen of them around my house. Blankets were something that you needed three or more of in every room. I had STUFF, and lots of it. So, I speak from experience.
What Changed
Out of all that stuff that I had, I used very little of it on any given day. In fact, I probably used ten percent of the stuff that had accumulated in my house. What changed? I watched a documentary years ago that discussed this very issue. After watching the documentary, I realized I was struggling with this more than I thought. I decided it was time to make some changes. I came up with a plan, and started working on it, one small space at a time. It took about six months to finish my house, but once it was done, I felt amazing. I felt lighter, and was able to truly relax in my space.
Now, let’s discuss the connection, and beginning steps we can take to help.
The Connection Between Physical and Mental Clutter
According to research, and common understanding, a cluttered physical space can often lead to a cluttered mind, as the visual chaos can overload your brain and make it difficult to focus, leading to feelings of stress and overwhelm; essentially, a disorganized environment can contribute to mental disarray.
How Clutter Affects Your Mind
- Visual overload: Clutter presents a constant stream of visual stimuli, which can tire the brain and make it hard to concentrate.
- Unfinished tasks: Clutter can serve as a reminder of unfinished tasks, leading to the inability to focus on current tasks, and stay productive.
- Brain’s preference for order: Our brains naturally gravitate towards order. So a cluttered environment can disrupt this preference, and negatively impact cognitive function.
- Stress hormone increase: Studies have shown that people living in cluttered spaces tend to have higher cortisol levels, a stress hormone, which can contribute to anxiety and reduced focus.
- Negative Emotions: Clutter can evoke feelings of guilt, shame, and frustration, leading to a negative emotional state.
- Sleep Disturbances: A cluttered bedroom can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep, leading to fatigue and irritability.
How to Declutter Your Space and Your Mind
- Start Small: Don’t try to tackle everything at once. Begin by decluttering a small area, such as a drawer or a shelf.
- Donate or Discard: Get rid of items you no longer need or use. Donate items to charity or throw them away.
- Create a System: Develop a system for organizing your belongings. This could involve labeling shelves, using storage containers, or creating a designated space for each item.
- Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness techniques can help you stay present and focused, making it easier to declutter your mind and your space.
- Create a Calming Space: Designate a quiet, peaceful space in your home where you can relax and unwind.
By decluttering your physical space, you can also declutter your mind and create a more peaceful and productive environment. Remember, a clean and organized space can have a profound impact on your overall well-being.
I would be happy to walk through the process I used with you at anytime. Shoot me a message, and we can set up a call to talk through the steps.
Looking for more info on the mind and body connection? Click here for our post in our Health section.
