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THE SURPRISING COST OF CLUTTER
Whoever came up with the expression “own your belongings, do not let your belongings own you”, must have come to that knowledge by first-hand experience.
If you are coming to the realization that your belongings (a.k.a. “clutter”) have taken control of your life, you are taking the first and most likely a huge scary step or leap to wanting to make some healthy changes.
Having a professional organizer by your side can help you re-evaluate what is worth staying in the space within your home. Reducing the number of belongings and organizing the belongings you do keep; will help you save money in the long run.
Clutter affects us in the obvious ways but can also be found in the less obvious ways as well.
Home organization or disorganization affects everyone. Our homes are to be our respite and safe haven but as the comforts of our home are becoming threatened with our clutter, it becomes another source for stress.
The link between clutter and health has received more attention within the medical community over the past few years.
Clutter is a liability to our mental and physical well-being. Surrounded by physical clutter also adds to the mental clutter making one feel that they are no longer in control of their space.
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Stress:
A cluttered home is a source of stress. It can be the “clutter staring you in the face” kind of stress or the subtle “I choose not to think about the clutter” stress.
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80% of medical expenses are related to stress, which clutter is a contributing factor according to a study conducted by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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55% of Americans stated that their lack of organization in the home was a major source of stress according to a Huffington Post poll.
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Women who admitted to a highly cluttered home also had a higher level of cortisol which is also known as the stress hormone. (UCLA research study findings)
2. Sleep:
Medical research has found that stress caused by clutter affects your ability to get a restful night of sleep.
While awake your thoughts are thinking about the clutter and the clean-up that needs to be done. You may also feel anxiety, guilt or feelings of being overwhelmed. These feelings contribute to the inability to relax and keep you from getting quality sleep.
3. Safety:
In extreme cases, clutter makes a home less safe.
Piles of belongings or floor clutter become a potential fall hazard.
Even worse, a greater risk of a fire.
Depending on the clutter source, a higher presence of allergens such as mold, mildew, dust or various bacterial sources will also contribute to an unhealthy living environment.
4. Mood:
By avoiding the issue(s) and dealing with the clutter and disorganization can lead to:
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Depression
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Anxiety: according to a Huffington Post survey of 1000 U.S. adults, 81% of men and 87% of women expressed some level of anxiety over how their home wasn’t clean or organized enough.
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Guilt
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Lack of energy
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Feeling overwhelmed or lost
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Procrastination and discouragement
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Ability to focus as found by a study conducted by Princeton University Neuroscience researchers. When we are unable to focus, mental exhaustion sets in and we get worn down, frustrated, unable to problem solve which causes stress.
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Isolation
Ready to make some healthy changes but do not know where to start?
Health
Money
For most people, their home is their biggest investment. With the rising cost of Real estate per square foot and feeling the need to up-size your home to accommodate your belongings can potentially become a financial burden.
By re-evaluating your belongings and getting rid of clutter, you will love your current home and save money over time for that dream vacation or remodel you wanted.
Practice thinking about buying something you want but do not need. Imagine the item in one hand and cash in the other hand. Which one will you pick?
Storage Facilities:
Those items kept in storage can really add up in monthly fees. Consider what you are storing and why and is the cost worth the contents being stored.
The typical storage unit rented is 10 x 10 or 100 sq. feet in size. The average price of that unit will cost approximately $90 - $105 per month in Albuquerque. Using the price of $97.50 as the average per month, that unit will cost $1170 per year unless the price goes up each year.
Eliminate duplication:
Have you ever purchased items again because you couldn’t find the item and you know it is somewhere in the house? We have all done this!
Becoming more organized will eliminate duplicate purchases and save you money over time.
Late Fees:
Not having adequate space to keep important paperwork such as bills can become costly. 23% of adults said that their lack of organization with their mail or home office resulted in paying bills late and incurred late fees on a consistent basis. (Harris Interactive study)
Going over budget:
Having a hard time finding an item will result in buying the same item again.
61% of women surveyed said that when they have a hard time finding anything in their closet will end up buying new clothes. (OnePoll survey)
Clean out costs:
Hanging onto family heirlooms or items that are special to you may hold the same value to the loved one’s who are left to clean out your home once you have moved to an assisted living center or to the hereafter.
The cost to move or clear out a home will vary depending on the services required.
A local move (under 50 miles) of a 3-bedroom home could range from $50 to $250 per hour depending on the number of hours required to pack the home up.
A long-distance move is calculated by weight or pounds. An average 3-bedroom home will be about 5,000 pounds. A home that has more than the typical amount of belongings will drive the cost up considerably.
For more on the topic visit:
https://goloadup.com/tips-for-estate-cleanout-and-estate-cleanout-services/
https://www.cheatsheet.com/money-career/true-cost-cleaning-up-after-your-loved-ones-are-gone.html/
Ready to take control of your money but do not know where to start?
Time
Have you ever been late to work or other engagements because you couldn’t find your keys, wallet, purse, shoes or other item not listed?
Getting organized to become more punctual takes more than just putting items away consistently. It needs to become a habit for life.
Many studies and articles I have read cite that it takes 21 days for something to become a habit.
Personally speaking, it takes more than 21 days, it takes motivation, will-power, desire and setting routines that are easy to follow through with daily even if you are exhausted.
It takes hard work and courage to let go of the familiar and embrace something new.
Remembering the goal of why you started the process in the first place needs to be posted somewhere that you can see and read daily, especially when you feel like giving up!
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In the average home, getting rid of clutter would eliminate 40% of housework. (Soap and Detergent Association study)
Think of the stacks of paper, boxes, storage bins or unused items stashed around the home. It makes it harder and more time consuming to clean your home if you have to clean around them, move them. There is the other alternative; ignore the area(s) altogether if you chose not to move anything.
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1 in 9 women were late for work because they were unable to find some part of their outfit to wear. (OnePoll survey)
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More than 9 million hours are spent each day looking for lost and misplaced items. (Ottawa Citizen article)
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57% of women believe an organized closet will make it easier and quicker to find what they need. (OnePoll survey)
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Women with shoe racks are 7 times more likely to be on time to work. (IKEA study)
If you are busy with work, family, children, volunteering or whatever fills your day, accepting and adapting to the disorganized way of life is hitting the easy button for a short time. Fixing the problem in the future will only make the problem of dealing with the clutter, harder, time-consuming and more costly to you and your loved ones.
If your day is full and there is no time left to get organized or maintain your home but you want to make some changes, hiring outside help such as a professional home organizer is a solution.
Relationships
Is the clutter and untidy state of your home keeping you from having friends and family over to visit?
Are you too embarrassed to open the door to your home to let others in?
Do you avoid getting things repaired because of the clutter?
Do you always find yourself apologizing about your home’s untidy state if you let someone in?
Is your partner or a loved one asking you to clean up the clutter?
Is your relationship with your partner strained because of the clutter?
If you said yes to any one of these questions, maintaining harmony among your loved ones can be a challenge.
They want you to fix the clutter problem but probably do not understand that you are stuck and may even be overwhelmed of how to get started.
Lowering your home’s stress levels by taking the steps to a clutter-free environment will do everyone good.
What steps will you take after reading the real cost of clutter?
Need support and someone to help coach you back to a healthier environment?