Hoarding and cleaning can be considered as two extremes that can influence both our living spaces and mental health.
Hoarding is generally linked with emotional attachment, anxiety, or the mindset of possibly ‘needing it later’. As you may already know, it’s quite easy to justify keeping old clothes (even if sometimes you know you won’t fit in these anymore), college books, or items that have a sentimental value to you, but over time, clutter can create stress and overwhelm. Cleaning and organizing, on the other hand, create a sense of clarity in the mind, reduce anxiety, and even help an individual feel in control of their surroundings.
In my daily life, I think that clutter really affects my mood and productivity level. When my room is messy for example, I am often stressed and I can’t quite focus – it’s like my space reflects the chaos in my head. If I have a messy desk, I will find it really hard to study. But when I take the time to clean, I feel lighter, more motivated, and even more in control of my responsibilities. Setting a daily decluttering routine can be really helpful: whether it’s clearing my desk, organizing my closet, or deleting unnecessary emails, these small efforts make a big difference. In fact, deleting emails has become part of my daily routine since University, as I receive at least 15 emails a day.
I still understand, though, why it can be hard to let go of things. To me, sometimes objects are memories, and letting go might feel like erasing a part of my life. Yet, tidying has taught me that cleaning up doesn’t mean erasing the past but instead opening a door to new experiences. A correct balance between keeping meaningful items and discarding the unnecessary clutter is what leads to a healthier and more stress-free life in my opinion.