“Everything reflects everything” points to the understanding that every choice you make in your physical space is simultaneously reflecting where you stand in your mental space. Do you hang up your jacket? Toss it on the floor? Drape it on a chair? whatever your tendencies the only way to balance is through understanding both the surface and the underlined motivating factors behind the acts themselves.

There seem to be three types of people in the world: neat, messy, or somewhere in between. As it happens, there is a strong correlation between the state of your home and the state of your mind. Everything tells a story and if willing, that story can provide you with the clues which will lead to a true state of balance and sustainable peace of mind.

Physical clutter equals mental clutter : whether its a pile of boxes and papers in a room, an overstuffed and scattered closet, an impossible to find things garage or even overstuffed drawers in various parts of your home, it becomes impossible to keep a clear mind if any part of your space is dirty or unorganized. All forms of clutter cause stress in part because of its excessing visual stimuli. It signals our brains that our work is never done and creates guilt, anxiety and the feeling of overwhelm which keeps us repeating this vicious cycle.

The more you ignore a mess, the messier it will get and the more overwhelmed you will feel. This leads one to feeling out of control and taking on more than they can handle

Having said this however, It is important to also acknowledge that clutter isn’t all bad and we shouldn’t aim for perfection either . Your home does not need to look like the ones in magazines. There needs to be a balance so the space you choose to live in provides you with both a sense of clarity and order and also helps elicit an increased sense of creativity and fresh insights which can arise from occasional moments of movement or change in the home. Living in constant disorder isn’t productive, but striving for perfectionism in cleanliness can also be counterproductive. Balance is the key!

Neuroscientists at Princeton showed that ‘physical clutter in your surroundings competes for your attention, resulting in decreased performance and increased stress”. The bottom line is that having a physical space that is organized and tidy will allow you to focus on life rather than your to do list. It will help to reduce stress and make a person feel relaxed and grounded when they get in from a full day of work. And isn’t that what we all want?

Emotional triggers will arise when changes are made to a persons home. If the person hire’s a designer for example, there may be a willingness at first to allow them to take action and alter the space but if the person has strong emotional associations around their stuff—and unconscious insecurities and internal judgements about themselves around the state of their home— they may no longer be willing to engage in the process and begin to view the designer as performing an act of aggression towards them personally. Whatever the triggers, the emotions that arise will usually point to a deeper underlining factor about the way that person really feels about themselves. These types of reactive patterns can become our greatest teachers or they can continue to feed our deepest insecurities.

Clutter or disorder can affect our anxiety levels, sleep, and our ability to focus. It can also make us less productive, triggering coping and avoidance strategies that make us more likely to snack on junk, watch mindless TV shows and surf endlessly on social media feeds.

Generally, people who have a hard time decluttering/organizing their homes can often struggle with the following:

• Time management and project motivation

• Procrastination

• Perfectionism and finishing tasks

• Holding attention and being distracted frequently

• Saying “no” to others

People with this type of pattern are also more likely to be late, emotionally volatile, and have an inability to make decisions and commit to most things.

The emotional effects of a messy/disorganized home can lead to heightened feelings of:

• Depression, Stress & Anxiety

• Decreased concentration levels

• Fatigue

• Negative physical health

• Low self-esteem

• Irritability

• Mood volatility

• emotional imbalance

To be organized simply implies being in control of ones own life. Being organized simply makes it easier to get things done in an expedient and efficient manner.

There are many things that can be done to enhance your living experience and create living spaces where the flow of energy is free to move and assist you in creating a fruitful life. We believe It all starts with your home. Remember, The more storage you have, the more clutter you’ll keep. 

It can feel overwhelming to begin the process of change and reorganization in your home which is why we recommend hiring a specialist to guide and assist you. Having someone with you for those first steps can provide you with a sense of comfort and safety knowing you can get through the hump and make it to the other side. You are not alone and you have the power to make the changes you need to begin living your best life.

Here are a few daily habits you can begin implementing today.

1. Give everything a place to live. Whether it’s keys, school bags or incoming mail, it’s always helpful to have a proper place for these items to be stored

2. Assess your home and find the clutter. Where is the dumping ground in your home?

3. File and organize paperwork. Incoming mail, letters or random notes, allocate a space—hall table, desk or kitchen counter— and set up a storage file, box or drawer with trays and stick with it

4. Integrate a daily reset. Before you unwind for the evening clear your space so you wont be greeted with clutter first thing in the morning

5.Put your coats, bags, shoes and laundry away. Put things away the moment you get home

6.Put things back when your finished with them.If your no longer using it put it away before moving on to the next thing

7.Keep flat surfaces clear. Table tops, worktops, floors and even stairs can attract clutter. Make it a mission to keep them as clear as possible and the rest of your home will feel clutter-free

8. Own less stuff. Having less stuff means a clutter free home. In this way you will have more time and energy to enjoy living in your home instead of maintaining it

9. Make your bed every morning. A tidy environment leads to a tidy mind and a made bed helps prepare you for the day ahead. Make it a regular habit and it’s a signal to your brain that the day is beginning and you’re ready for it

10. One in, One out rule. If you buy something new donate something old.

11. Do dishes right away. Just get it done and the kitchen will be tidier and you’ll have clean dishes and cutlery all ready for when you need them next

12. Don’t move around your home empty handed. If there’s something to take upstairs and you’re going that way, take it up with you

13. Put clothes away when you take them off. If they’re dirty, pop them in the laundry basket. If they’re clean, hang them up or fold them into a drawer.

14. have a weekly Reset. Simplify, organize and declutter your home weekly

15. Be mindful and simplify your life. Becoming clutter-free is one thing, making sure you stay clutter-free is another. Although it becomes second nature with time, busy daily life brings with it clutter in various shapes and forms.