As you look at the clutter around your house on the way out your door, or the mass of papers strewn across your desk at work, you keep promising yourself that one of these days, you’re going to get organized.  But with a hectic schedule that barely allows you time to scarf down a burger or hit the pillow for a quick snooze, accompanied by dozens of to-dos buzzing around your head day and night, you just can’t seem to find the time to arrange your life and your environment into the neat and tidy bundle you’d prefer.  However, scheduling in an appointment for organization could help you in more ways than one.  It has been shown that people who live in a clutter-free space that is set up for easy management (a place for everything and everything in its place) enjoy less stress and more free time. 

If you follow the Western idea of feng shui, this is a great way to ensure positive qi, which basically matches up your physical and spiritual energies.  But how does de-cluttering your space help you to become a calmer and more productive person?

1. Physical disorganization equals mental chaos.  For starters, clutter is unattractive.  If you’re looking at it every day in your home and at work, it’s constantly in the back of your mind along with the nagging reminder that you have to clean up.  This is not only annoying, it can also cause anxiety and distract you from more important matters.  So clean up, get your head on straight, and allow yourself to relax.

2. Clutter wears you down.  Although it seems extreme, having a filthy or unorganized living space really does bring on feelings of guilt and disgust, especially if it goes unchecked for a long period of time.  When your house is clean and tidy, you will feel as though a weight has been lifted from your shoulders.

3. It can be hazardous to your health.  Since a messy space is harder to clean, chances are you’re not being as diligent as normal in this arena.  In turn, dust and allergens may build up, causing you to become congested, flaring up allergies, or bringing on other illnesses.  With the mess cleared away, you can breathe easy.  Piles of items may also hinder your ability to move about your space and could lead to nasty spills and more serious accidents.

4. It’s a time-waster.  Take a moment to consider how much time you spend looking for items every day that have somehow gotten lost in the shuffle.  Consider that if you have a neat space where everything you need is easily accessible and in its proper place, you would have extra time for something else, like making a balanced meal, going to the gym, or taking a minute to sit and enjoy the silence.

5. It’s a money-waster.  Do you constantly find that you’re purchasing items only to get home and realize that you already have them?  In an organized space, you can readily identify what you have in stock so that you don’t accidentally double up on purchases.  You may also find that you are not paying some bills on time.  A system of organization can help you to get on track with your finances and avoid late fees and other penalties that may be needlessly draining your bank account.

11 Fears That Are Holding You Back	Lessons in Success: #18 Taking Care of Ourselves	Family-owned businesses	Getting Organized: The Road to Sanity and Productivity	What I Wish for, and What I Pledge to Work Towards
The Perfect Home Office for You and Your Clients	Lessons in Success: #12 Measure what you want to Improve	Is Your Appearance Holding You Back in the Workplace?	Getting Knocked up, Getting Knocked Down	Visionboard #6: What I Do

View all articles.