Why clutter matters

Whether you like it or not, clutter matters. Try as you might to forget about it, it’s time for a reality check. Why is it important to clear the clutter? For starters, clutter can have a negative impact on your well-being and, believe it or not, it can also affect you financially as well.

Here are our top five reasons why it’s important to clear the clutter and to live with less:

 

1.  Clutter can be a physical hazard

Clutter at home can lead to slips, trips and falls – and this is especially true if items are stacked high and you are unable to easily access the items you need. Clutter can also be a fire hazard to you and your family when it blocks hallways, doors, entryways, passageways or windows.

 

2.  Clutter costs you money

Clutter comes with a price tag! It’s simple: the more you have, the more space that’s required to store it.  Think long and hard about the amount of money you pay in ‘rent’ for your clutter: for example, if you calculate $5 for every square foot of your junk, you will most likely come up with a hefty total.  And even worse, those that run out of space are forced to rent a storage unit, spending even more money annually in ‘rent’. Talk about an expensive ‘habit’!

 

3.  Clutter causes emotional baggage

It’s easy to hang on to objects that tug at our heartstrings. When memories or sentimental moments are involved, it can be hard to let these items go. But hanging on to stuff you don’t need or use can be emotionally exhausting in itself when you find that it gets in the way or takes up valuable space. Remember, letting go of these memories will allow you to create new ones! Take a picture if you’d like, but then it’s time to say goodbye.

 

4.  Clutter decreases productivity

To put it simply: clutter will always compete for your attention. A clutter-filled home will make it difficult to focus on everyday tasks because you will feel overwhelmed, stressed and as if the walls are literally closing in on you. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: your living space often reflects your state of mind. The more cluttered the space, the more cluttered your thoughts will be!

 

5.  Clutter can negatively affect your health

It should go without saying, but your clutter can easily and quickly collect dust, chemicals, bugs and even mold.  Living in a cluttered home can also create headaches, fatigue and stress because the more clutter you have, the more overwhelming the thought of removing it becomes.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.