This picture was taken in Bombay, India.  This is known as the 'Dhobi Ghat', where laundry and dry cleaning is done.  Look at how the space is used and how they use the space outside for their work.  This got me thinking about our lives and homes and how much we collect....

Clutter in our Homes 

When we look at the insurmountable volume of clutter in our homes, more than weariness and irritation, we get bogged down by the sheer weight of all our postponed decisions. The deciding factor between a cluttered, four-walled space and a breathable home with free space to roam, is our decision to own more and organize less!

This is why, according to the National Association of Professional Organizers, an average American citizen spends at least a year of their life looking for lost items. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, one-quarter of people with two-car garages, have so much clutter in there, that they can’t park a car.

As adults, we champion the cause of cluttering by buying our kids so many toys that a survey reported that an average 10-year-old kid owns about 238 toys but plays with only 12 toys daily. On top of that, our closet stories are quite compelling, as surveys show that most of us only wear 20% of all our clothing—an astonishing 80% of the time!

Key statistical findings

We throw around 81 pounds of clothing each year, out of which only 50% get recycled. 80% of American household items are never used, and 78% of us have no clue what to do with them. This answers the question of why we spend around 4 and a half hours each week looking for misplaced items, and around $2.7 billion each year replacing the items we cannot find.

It is no surprise, that 23% of Americans do not pay their bills on time, and incur late payment fees simply because they cannot find their bills!

The next time we teach the lessons of life to young souls and talk about how they should plan their lives wisely and methodically, we should just glance at the storage wars going on in our lives, and see for ourselves how our plans have just stacked one upon the other!

We read self-help books and take counselling sessions to stay happy and keep our daily dose of depression away.  However, do we ever wonder how much less stressed, anxious, and depressed we would eventually feel, if we had a clutter-free closet and an organized workspace?

Studies conducted by UCLA’s Center for Everyday Lives and Families have established a direct link between the stress hormone cortisol and clutter. The simple relation is that, the more messy your living or working space is, the more foggy your mindset is on how to start cleaning, and most importantly, where exactly to start!

 Today, studies have been conducted at great lengths to find the direct link between de-cluttering and healthy living. Be it our focus, concentration, or happiness, when we live in a place where there is air to breathe and room to roam, we feel less restricted and confined, whether it’s physically or mentally. 

Imagine the level of distractions that we all experience standing in front of our closet when we have 100 options to choose from, yet we keep shuffling between the five of our favorite outfits. 

How productive we could be if we only had those five choices!

When we are all rushing to run on the treadmill of healthy eating and healthy living, do you know, that according to a study from the American Association for Nurse Anesthetists, people with messy homes are 77% more likely to be overweight or obese?

Lose the Clutter, Lose the Weight, is an interesting book by Peter Walsh, where the author shows a clear connection between having a home full of unnecessary clutter and a kitchen full of unhealthy foods. 

If you still do not believe the mess in your home is contributing silently to several miseries in your life, you need to know that in a survey conducted across Europe, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, almost half of the respondents (47.26%) said they argue with their partners or kids over the subject of clutter!

So, if you are among the 60% of people who have been late to work or school because of lost items, do not shout at your family members; all you need to do is clear up your stuff this Sunday! 

And, if you are among the 49% who have missed appointments or meetings and even come in the category of 22% who’ve missed flights, trains, or bus rides, your partner is  not fault!   The guilt should rest solely with your lack of responsibilities in cleaning your house. 

The storage facility industry in the USA is valued at $154 billion, which is higher than the Hollywood film industry, and the number of self-storage facilities is more than the combined count of Starbucks, McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, Pizza Hut, and Wendy’s restaurants.

On top of this, 1 in 11 American households rents a self-storage space and spends over $1000 a year.

If you do not wish to make such a generous contribution to the industry primarily built on your instances of irresponsibility and lapse of maturity, sort your life by sorting your living space.   

Last but not least, clutter is not just a problem for kids and young adults. The Health Service Executive in Ireland reported 35,187 falls and attributed this as a leading cause of death for adults aged 65+. Now, they have a comprehensive list of recommendations for keeping homes clear of fall hazards.

31% of respondents in a survey reported more satisfaction from clearing out their closet than they did after having romantic encounters with their partners! I wish from my heart that you enjoy the amorous affairs with your partner by eliminating the thoughts of your messy closet or chock-a-block workspace.

How to deal with Clutter Chronicles

Dealing with clutter, or what you've referred to as "Clutter Chronicles," involves several steps to regain control and create a more organized and manageable environment. Here's a step-by-step guide to tackling clutter:

Set Clear Goals: Determine what you want to achieve. Whether it's de-cluttering a specific room, organizing paperwork, or streamlining your digital files, having clear goals will keep you focused.

Start Small: Trying to tackle clutter all at once can be overwhelming. Begin with a small area, such as a single drawer, shelf, or corner of a room.

Sort and Categorize: As you go through items, sort them into categories such as keep, donate, recycle, or discard. This helps you make decisions more efficiently.

De-clutter Systematically: Work methodically through each area, making decisions about each item. Ask yourself if you use it, if it brings you joy, or if it serves a purpose. If not, it may be time to let it go.

Use the One In, One Out Rule: For every new item you bring into your space, consider removing one item. This helps prevent future clutter buildup.

Develop Organizational Systems: Once you've de-cluttered, establish systems to keep things organized. This could include storage bins, shelves, labels, or digital folders.

Regular Maintenance: Clutter can quickly accumulate if left unchecked. Schedule regular de-cluttering sessions to maintain a tidy environment.

Seek Support if Needed: If you're feeling overwhelmed or struggling to make decisions about what to keep or discard, consider enlisting the help of a friend or professional organizer.

Address the Root Cause: Reflect on what leads to clutter in the first place. Are there habits or behaviors contributing to the problem? Addressing the root cause can help prevent clutter from recurring.

Practice Mindfulness: Be mindful of what you bring into your space and regularly evaluate whether it adds value to your life. Cultivating a mindful approach to consumption can help prevent future clutter.

Remember, de-cluttering is a gradual process, and it's okay to take it one step at a time. The key is to be consistent and persistent in your efforts to create a more organized and clutter-free environment.

Hypnosis can be a powerful tool to use for decluttering along with a powerful strategy. 

Remember, while hypnosis can be a helpful adjunct, it’s also important to have a practical decluttering strategy in place. Combining both can lead to a more organized and peaceful environment. If you are interested, please make an appointment with me. I will guide you through hypnosis sessions and more. Always remember that these sessions can be a great start to your decluttering journey.

Feeling overwhelmed by all the clutter in your life?  Not sure where to start?

Book a free HOW TO LEAD A FULLER AND LIGHTER LIFE STRATEGY SESSION  so we can get you moving in the right direction.  Let's book a time together so you can get started today!           

   How to Lead a fuller and lighter life

Sainoor Premji  B.Sc, M.Sc (Holistic Nutrition), RNCP, MHt, Master Hypnotist, Akashic Reader, Holistic Nutritionist, Montessori School Teacher.   An expert in mind-body-spirit connection, Sainoor has traveled widely on her journey through life- the feedback she received most often from her clients is how wonderful it feels to be free of fear, doubts, and yo-yo dieting; how they now live their lives with hope and lightness.