After spending so much time in our homes these past few years, clutter may be building up without you noticing.
But all that clutter might not just be taking up physical space. It might be having an impact on your mental health too.
A survey by the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO) found that about half of respondents said they find it hard to concentrate on current projects when they feel disorganized.
Whether you declutter on your own or hire a professional organizer, these warning signs prove that the clutter in your home has got the better of you.
You Can’t Find What You’re Looking For
If you’re constantly struggling to find your keys, important papers, your charger, or anything else, that’s a strong indication it’s time to pare down your things and get organized.
It’s incredibly frustrating to constantly rummage around on messy countertops and in cluttered drawers trying to find items. Ultimately, when you have less stuff, it’s easier to find things.
Piles of Papers
It starts with one. You toss a bill on the table and tell yourself you’ll deal with it later. Next thing you know, you have mountains of papers everywhere and you don’t even know what’s in them.
When your tables and counters are clear, you’re significantly more likely to deal with the incoming papers right away.
If piles of paper are forming around your home, take it as a sign that it’s time to do some decluttering.
If You Don’t Know What’s in Your Cabinets and Closets
If doors or drawers are always partially open, it’s time to declutter. If you have to push things down just to close a drawer, it is one of many signs that you need decluttering.
Even if you can close them easily, if you’re not sure what’s inside, that’s another sign you have more stuff than you need. Stop stuffing everything in these dark, cluttered spaces. Think about if you really need these things and get rid of what you don’t use.
It Takes Forever To Clean
No one wants to spend all day cleaning their house. If you start cleaning and feel like you can’t do it properly or it takes days because of all your stuff, it’s probably because of a clutter problem.
This may be especially apparent if you spend a lot of time moving things from place to place but never seem to accomplish anything. If you feel like nothing ever stays as it should, you might be expending your energy moving the clutter from one spot to another when what you really need to be doing is decluttering.
You Have Things You Haven’t Used in Years
Another sign you own too much is if there are items you’ve owned for years and only used once or twice within that time, it may be more than you need.
If you have storage boxes and don’t know what’s inside, there’s a good chance you’re holding onto stuff you don’t actually need. This is particularly true if you’ve moved several times and have boxes you’ve never bothered to unpack. It might be time to decide if it’s worth it to keep lugging those boxes all over the place with you.
If you get stressed out just thinking about the clutter in areas of your home, it’s time to clear it out. A picture-perfect isn’t everyone’s goal, nor should it be, but decluttering can lead to numerous benefits and is important for your health and wellbeing.
