I came home from work the other day and was instantly frustrated.
Home is supposed to be my place of peace—my refuge. But all I saw when I walked in was stuff: piles of whatever the kids had dropped wherever they last were; shoes… so many shoes; paperwork waiting to be filed; a stack of mail begging to be sorted; and a heap of random items camped out on the kitchen island that really belonged in the garage. Add in a handful of dog toys scattered like landmines, and you’ve got a recipe for tripping—literally and mentally.
To be fair, not all the clutter belonged to the kids—some of it was mine too. But in that moment, I desperately needed a quiet, clutter-free space. I needed it physically and mentally. Especially after work. And it just wasn’t happening.
Let’s be honest—for those of us raising kids, it probably doesn’t happen very often.
I’ll admit I don’t always prioritize putting things away immediately. And unsurprisingly, my kids have picked up the same habit. They just don’t see it—at least not yet. They haven’t developed the pride in home and space ownership that my husband and I have. Plus, we’ve got a couple of ADHD brains in the mix, and research shows that individuals with ADHD are more likely to accumulate clutter and struggle with organization. So, yeah—it tracks.
Years ago, we discovered Marie Kondo and her KonMari method, and it truly was a game changer. Her approach to decluttering by category (rather than by room) made the process feel manageable. She taught us to hold each item and ask whether it “sparks joy”—and if it doesn’t, to let it go with gratitude. I’ll admit, I was skeptical at first. But when I finished her process for the first time, I felt lighter. My mind was clearer. I was more at peace.
Turns out, there’s real science behind that feeling.
Research shows that when our physical spaces are cluttered, our mental spaces suffer too. Clutter acts as a constant visual distraction–it competes for our attention, overwhelms the brain, and reduces our ability to focus and function. This might explain where I found myself years ago—and why I feel the same creeping frustration again now.
Key findings of the research include1:
- Clutter competes for attention: A messy environment forces your brain to process more sensory information, making it harder to concentrate and easier to feel mentally fatigued.
- It raises stress levels: Clutter is associated with higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. That ongoing low-grade stress can lead to anxiety, irritability, and burnout.
- Impaired decision-making and memory: When your brain is managing the chaos around you, it leaves fewer resources available for making good decisions or remembering details.
- It affects overall well-being: Clutter has been linked to poor sleep and even difficulty reading emotional cues. In contrast, clean and organized spaces tend to foster calm, control, and mental clarity.
No wonder I walked in the door that day and felt like I was drowning.
We carry so much—physically, emotionally, mentally. And sometimes, what we carry isn’t just in our arms or on our to-do lists. Sometimes, it’s scattered across the living room floor.
So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, start small. Pick one category, one drawer, one pile. Let go of what no longer brings value, and make room for what does. You might be surprised how much lighter you feel—not just in your home, but in your head and heart too.
- Sources include Nuvance Health, verywellmind, NewsGP, pockitudes, ahead, and WebMD ↩︎