Living in Chaos? What clutter means for your mind and life

We all know that one person whose room looks like a storm hit it—clothes everywhere, books stacked on the floor, and random things scattered around. But the moment you move something or try to tidy up, they immediately notice and protest, insisting you’ve disrupted their system. 

Somehow, despite the chaos, they can find exactly what they need in an instant.

Is clutter simply a way of life? Or is there something more to it?

How to Know If You Have Clutter

According to Oxford Languages, clutter is “a lot of things in an untidy state, especially things that are not necessary or are not being used.” It refers to the unnecessary accumulation of items that take up space and create disorganization in our surroundings.

Not sure if your space is cluttered? Look at this set of questions for some self-assessment

• Do you keep things you never use, like old clothes or broken gadgets?
• Do you have a “junk drawer” filled with random stuff you think you might need?
• Do you have a closet to stuff clutter for when visitors come?
• Do you have boxes and boxes of items you don’t remember when you last opened?
• Have you ever bought something new because you lost the old one in your house?
• Are some areas of your home unusable because there’s too much stuff?
• Do you feel embarrassed to have guests over because of the mess?

If you answer “yes” to any of these, you might have some degree of clutter.

Are Some People Naturally Messy?

Personality may play a role in how tidy or cluttered someone is. Type A individuals are naturally more organized, while Type B personalities tend to be more relaxed around mess.

Research also shows that neurodivergent people, like those with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), are more likely to have cluttered spaces due to difficulties with organization. 

Beyond personality, life situations can also contribute to messiness. Having kids means dealing with endless toys and clothes. A demanding job can leave little time for cleaning. Stress and gried can drain the motivation to keep things tidy, making clutter build up over time.

The Perks of Messiness

While it can be an eyesore, some people actually thrive in a messy space. 

In fact, a University of Minnesota study found that while being in an organized room propels people to do what is expected of them, messiness can boost creativity– encouraging people to break free from tradition and explore new ideas more easily.

The Downsides of Clutter

While some may claim that a messy space doesn’t bother them, research suggests that clutter can actually impact productivity, well-being, and mental health. 

A 2023 study published on the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health shows that a cluttered space makes it harder to focus, causing procrastination and indecision.

Ever sat down to work but got distracted by the mess around you? Maybe you pick up a shirt, remember you need to do laundry, then find an old notebook and start flipping through it—suddenly, an hour has passed, and you haven’t done what you planned.

Physical Challenges Posed by Clutter

A messy home can make navigating difficult. If you ever tried working at a desk piled with random things, you'd know what this means. Too much stuff takes up space, making it harder to move around. 

That's not mentioning dust and dirt that can also build up in cluttered spaces. If you’re getting random achoos throughout the day, it may be from allergies from all the dust that's built up from clutter.

Clutter and Mental Health

Research indicates that living in cluttered environments can lead to increased stress levels, anxiety, and feelings of overwhelm.

One study found that individuals living in cluttered environments reported a lower quality of life and higher levels of distress. The persistent visual chaos can contribute to emotional exhaustion and make relaxation difficult. 

Notably, women tend to be more affected. 

A study that looked at dual-income couples found that women living in messy homes had higher stress hormones and heightened depression symptoms. Meanwhile, the men were largely unaffected. These effects stayed the same even when things like relationship happiness and personality were considered.

No wonder moms are usually the first to spot that rogue shirt lying on the couch!

Persistent messiness can sometimes be a symptom of deeper mental health challenges. For instance, it can be a sign of depression. 

When someone is struggling mentally, daily cleaning and organizing can feel exhausting, and clutter may become the only thing they see, reinforcing feelings of helplessness. 

If you notice someone feeling less motivated, disheveled, and surrounded by a messy space, it might be worth checking in on them.

Sometimes, clutter is just a symptom of a bigger problem. Hoarding disorder is a mental health condition where people struggle to throw things away, leading to extreme clutter that makes daily life difficult. It’s different from regular messiness because it causes serious stress and can lead to safety risks and social isolation. 

Hoarding is often linked to anxiety or depression, making it even harder to let go of items. If clutter feels overwhelming and stressful, getting professional help can make a big difference.

Striking the Balance

We get it—life happens. 

Busyness and big life changes can lead to clutter—and sometimes, that’s okay. But over time, clutter can quietly take a toll on your stress levels and well-being. While a little mess can spark creativity, its subtle effects on your mental and physical health are just as real.

The key is balance. Own your space and make it your own. But a bit of organization can bring more ease and control into your life. 

A small change—like tidying up one area or assigning spots for particular things to keep things organized —can make a big difference in how you feel every day.

Enjoying this story? There's more like it on The Boost! The health and wellness newsletter arrives in your inbox on a weekly basis. Confirm your email when you sign up, and learn how to live your healthiest life!

— LA, GMA Integrated News