Physical clutter = Emotional clutter

[cowboyup]

I was reading some random article as well as watched an episode of Dr. Oz (yes, I watch, don't judge, LOL) and both the article and the show stated that when we have cluttered homes we are emotionally cluttered. To get rid of the things we don't use, that are just junk, organize things better, putting things back where they belong after use, stop telling ourselves "I might need that someday" is just holding onto the past, stiffling our present, and to let go of things that are cluttering up our homes, drawers, closets, garages, etc., will help declutter our lives.

I agree with this, though for some of us, especially those who have children, can be quite challenging to accomplish (time, energy, etc.). Personally, we have clutter - and more specifically, I have clutter in my room, more precisely, my closet. Actually, my summer project is to drag everything out of the closet, and throw away and reorganize it. As I am living with someone, I can only do so much with "others" clutter...but I can do something about MY stuff. I think that I will feel better after I get this done.

What are your thoughts?

 

[TreeBones]

I agree, I don't like things messy or cluttered but I'm just that kind of person by nature. I've noticed when I clean my room or the house and have everything put away where it needs to be and get rid of the things I don't need, that I feel much better. I feel more energized and clean and...yeah just overall better aha.

 

[Hoppy]

My biggest problem at the moment is paperwork. I have to sort through it and reduce it.

I've been on a minimalist goal for quite a while, I think everything I own can fit on the back of my little truck.

Everything I care about can fit in a suitcase.

My biggest problem is books, I've got a lot left, and some are irreplacable.

But I am still not finished. There is a big sense of relief if stuff is gone.

 

[Kiwong]

My unit is cluttered because I am messy.

My neighbours unit is spotless, even the salt and peppers shakers are neatly aligned, because they have OCD.

In this example physical clutter does not seem to correlate with emotion issues. We both have them

I could spend hours and hours cleaning, but my anxiety would still be there, and I'd have less time to have a life outside work and cleaning the unit.

Being worried about how tidy you are, seems just another thing to worry and obsess over.

 

[kihira]

People who hoard often seem to do so after an emotional event such as a death
Britain's Biggest Hoarders Series 1 Episode 1 BBC full doucmentary - YouTube

 

[Kiwong]

^ That's quite sad, but very real.

 

[Metal_isthe_Answer]

I'm not sure I would agree. My room has little clutter, just a couple games and a notebook by my gaming chair, for the most part everything is in a pretty logical/decent place or in a storage room. But I would imagine that some people would say that I have some emotional baggage or some psychological clutter.

 

[Argentum]

When I was little I hated having a room that was too clean. I remember staring out at my room in the night and being creeped out, so I would always toss a few stuffed animals or figures out onto the floor to make it look lived in.

As an adult I'd say that the clutter reflects my emotional state rather than causing it, but living in a mess certainly doesn't help. I might put off the dishes for a few days, leave some clothes on the floor, or keep my coffee cup out on the counter, and before I know it it's like a tornado hits and I'd be ashamed to have people over even if there was anyone to invite.

My workspace out by the sunny window is clean, at least.