thinking of clutter
Welcome back, tribe!
For this week’s blog, we wanted to elicit some thoughts around the psychology of clutter such as:
‘What does clutter say about the state of our minds?’
‘How do we come up with the logic that keeps our spaces in a state of dysfunction?’
There are many reasons why we hold on to things for way too long. Sometimes it is because we fear we will forget a memory. Sometimes we fear that we will never have an experience like that again. Sometimes we are led by external pressure. The guilt of throwing away a gift from someone like grandma can be overwhelming! However, we often overlook our own comfort levels, forgetting whose home it is in the first place.
the stress of cluttering and/or compulsive decluttering can wear anyone out, and it’s okay.
The ‘every now and again’ clutter bug can be convinced to let a thing go. If they conclude that there is no physical or emotional need for something, they can make a firm decision to part ways. On a more extreme level, though, clutter can turn into hoarding. For hoarders, it’s a terrible struggle, and dealing with them requires psychological insight and informed patience.
With every extreme, there’s a polar opposite. That leads us to compulsive decluttering, which is under the OCD umbrella. This condition causes sufferers to latch on to distressing thoughts [or obsession], generating anxiety that can only be soothed by performing a particular act [or compulsion]. Vivien Diller, a NY psychologist says:
“Being organized and throwing things out and being efficient is applauded in our society because it is productive. But you take somebody who cannot tolerate the mess or cannot sit still. Both cleaning and decluttering can be positive behaviors but become a problem when they’re driven by obsessive thoughts.”
Maybe the question we should be asking ourselves is whether or not we have control. Having a drink is fine. Not being able to go to bed without one says that you don’t have control. Wanting a tidy space is fine. Not being able to function if your sweater isn’t in the correct spot says that you don’t have control. There is power in having control and autonomy over your decisions.
What if cluttering and/or compulsive decluttering are merely a reflection of addictive behavior patterns?
We will be diving deeper in the future. For now, this article is merely meant to provoke thought.
Tell us your opinions below in the comments. We would love to hear from you!
Stay tuned for future updates. Join our tribe on Pinterest. Let’s continue to have meaningful conversations around wellness withing the home.
Sincerely,
amelia dawn + shanelle julia rosita
