The pressures of modern life stack up so quickly that it’s easy to let things get away from you. You may rightly prioritise the most pressing things but this leaves you with several tasks that just keep getting pushed further down the list. Likewise, when you have a million other things to do, tidying doesn’t always feel like the best use of your time.
However, having a messy home has a bigger impact on your life than first meets the eye.
Mental health
A messy home clouds the mind and causes negative emotions. You may feel tense or stressed if you can’t move freely around the space or if the mess is getting in the way of your schedule. These feelings can lead to depressive thoughts and anxiety.
If you have an uncontrolled amount of unstored things making it difficult for you to navigate your home, you may have a serious condition called hoarding disorder. This is often connected to other health conditions but can be reflective of neglecting yourself.
As such, maintaining a tidy home helps you to create the right headspace to be able to tackle daily life. It’s a form of self-care that shouldn’t be underestimated – out of sight, out of mind.
Physical health
Any kind of mess around the home can easily cause health and safety issues. Leaving things lying around could be a trip hazard and an overly packed counter could lead to broken glass on the floor.
There are also hidden dangers. When you allow items to accumulate, they may gather and trap dust. As allergies to dust are very common, this could cause lingering symptoms in members of the household, such as eczema and allergic rhinitis.
In the long term, exposure to irritants can have an impact on the functioning of the immune system. When the remedy is simple, it’s not worth taking the risk.
How to organise a house
- Declutter: The first step in tidying your house is decluttering. It’s harder to keep somewhere tidy if there are so many components to maintain. Try to donate or recycle any unwanted or unused items that no longer serve you. Not only is it easy to keep in order, but you’ll also find it cathartic – trust us.
- Storage space: Once you’ve decided what you’re keeping, decide on some storage. If you need easy access to your items but want the space to look otherwise tidy, install sliding wardrobes to hide away the mess without making things difficult to reach. This is a realistic option for those of us with busy schedules.
- Clean: Once you’ve got a clean slate and a workable storage system, you’ll find cleaning becomes less complicated. Without having to manoeuvre around items, keeping your home dust-free will just take a simple swipe of a duster.
