Professional Organizer Shares Decluttering Reality
Professional organizer @unclutterednw emphasized sorting and purging before buying bins for lasting organization systems, sharing before/after photos on February 16. Better Homes & Gardens singles out "old cords" as the one item organizers universally agree you should stop saving, urging a clear-out of notorious "cord drawers." Social media users are discussing identifying "clutter styles" for personalized minimalism and budget-friendly basket organization tips.
- A cluttered home environment can have a measurable impact on stress levels; one study found that women who described their homes as cluttered had higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol. In contrast, those who felt their homes were organized and restful had lower levels. - The professional organizing market is a growing industry, valued at over $10 billion and is projected to reach over $25 billion by 2030. This growth is driven by rising awareness of the mental health benefits of organized spaces and the increase in remote work. - Different decluttering methods cater to various personalities and needs. The KonMari Method™, developed by Marie Kondo, focuses on keeping items that "spark joy." Another approach is Swedish Death Cleaning, which encourages gradually decluttering to reduce the burden on family members later in life. - For those who feel overwhelmed, the "four-box method" is a simple starting point that involves sorting items into boxes labeled "keep," "throw away," "donate," and "sell." Another incremental approach is the "five-a-day" method, where you remove five items from your home daily. - The psychological principle known as the Zeigarnik Effect can contribute to the feeling of being overwhelmed by clutter. This effect describes the tendency for the mind to be preoccupied with unfinished tasks, and each piece of clutter can represent an unresolved decision. - Living in a cluttered space can impact relationships, with one study finding that couples in high-clutter homes reported lower relationship satisfaction. Additionally, 54% of Americans report feeling overwhelmed by the clutter in their homes. - The decision to discard items can be difficult due to emotional attachment or a "just in case" mentality, which stems from a fear of future scarcity. Over 65% of people admit to feeling sentimental about their possessions, making it hard to part with them. - An organized space can lead to tangible financial benefits. By knowing what you own, you can avoid buying duplicate items, and a clutter-free home is more appealing to potential buyers, potentially increasing its market value.
