10 Surprising Signs It’s Time to Declutter Your Space

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Decluttering is not just about cleaning or organizing; it’s about making a home that feels light and fun to live in. But many people don’t even realize when clutter is creeping in and taking over their space. The way clutter builds up in our lives is often too slow to be noticed, but enough to be messy in our mental clarity and our daily routine.

Physical clutter can make our mental lives a mess, whether it’s at home or at work, and it leads to stress, lost items and wasted time. If you’re wondering if it’s time to declutter and reclaim your space, and maybe your peace of mind, check out these telltale signs it’s time to purge some of your stuff.

You Never Feel Your Home Is “Clean Enough”

You spend all the time tidying up, and it never goes away. You vacuum, you wipe down surfaces, and you put things away, but the house still feels like it’s got that ‘clean’ feeling missing. This is often because there’s just too much stuff. No matter how much you clean, excess belongings make it harder for your home to feel fresh and open. It’s time to let go of things you’re constantly moving around but aren’t using.

You’re Always Looking for Things

Women Looking at the Clothes in the Wooden Box — Photo Credit: Pexels

If you find yourself spending half your life looking for things, keys, one shoe, your wallet, clutter could be to blame. When you have things you don’t need in your space, it’s harder to find the things you do. It makes your daily life more stressful and frustrating because you spend much time rummaging around to find the things you need. Decluttered space means you know exactly where everything is, so you don’t have to play the daily scavenger hunt.

You Avoid Certain Rooms

Have you ever had that one room in your house that you just don’t go into, because it’s too messy or it makes you feel overwhelmed? Or maybe it’s the garage that’s filled with old boxes, or the guest room that has kind of become storage space. If you find yourself closing the door on spaces just to avoid the stress they bring, it’s a good sign you may need to declutter.

There Is No Place to Relax

If you can’t find a place to unwind and relax in your home, surrounded by things you love, then clutter is probably taking over. According to ScienceDirect, our environment has more of an effect on our moods than we give it credit for, and a cluttered space can lead to a cluttered mind. Getting rid of unnecessary stuff can help you have that place to unwind and recharge.

The Thought of Organizing Stresses You Out

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If you find the task of organizing your belongings to be too much, then you probably have too many of them. The reason you feel more stressed than inspired when the idea of tidying up comes to mind is because you’re dealing with excess. Downsizing the number of things you have will make organizing not seem so daunting, and you’ll be able to keep your space tidy.

You Keep Buying Storage Containers

When you have too much stuff, it is a sure sign — you just have to have more storage bins, baskets and boxes. Storage solutions can help, but they’re usually just a Bandaid for clutter problems. If you’re always looking for the next storage solution, that is a red flag that you’re just trying to manage too much. There are times when the best thing to do is to let go of the extra items, rather than trying to find a place to keep them.

You Keep Things “Just in Case”

Souvenirs and Sentimental Items — Photo Credit: Pexels

There are some things we all hang onto in case of the ‘what if’, but if you’re hoarding things that ‘might be useful one day’, it may be time to let them go. The problem with “just in case” items is that they tend to stack up fast, and they rarely, if ever, get used. Getting rid of these things can give you space and room for things you actually use and enjoy.

You are Tired or Drained in Your Space

Clutter sucks the energy right out of you. You may feel lethargic and unmotivated instead of feeling rejuvenated and refreshed in your home, like the stuff around you is weighing you down. And physical clutter creates mental clutter, it’s hard to relax and recharge. Clearing out the extras will likely leave you feeling more energized and positive in your space.

You Never Use the Things You Have

17 Most Useless Things in Your House That Are Just Wasting Space — Photo Credit:Monicore/Pexels

Take a look around. How many items in your space do you really use? Perhaps if you’re still holding onto something you don’t use or don’t hold sentimental value. Surrounding ourselves with things we don’t use also means we’re surrounded by distractions that eat up our time and attention. When there is a decluttered space, it means less maintenance and more time for things that matter.

You Don’t Invite People Over

Clutter might be the reason why you cringe at the thought of inviting friends or family over because you know your home isn’t in the best of shape. If our spaces are too full, we can be embarrassed or feel uncomfortable letting others see the chaos. Decluttering helps to make a welcoming environment, which makes it easier to entertain without worry, and enjoy quality time with loved ones without stressing about appearances.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.