Understanding Clutter, Disorganisation and Mess
When you look around your home what do you see?
Flat surfaces barely visible?
Stacks and piles in corners?
A Room of Doom?
Cupboard doors hiding a jumble of items?
The people who reach out to me are looking for a solution to a problem, including some of the problems listed here. But to know the solution first we need to understand what is causing the problem.
It is common for the terms Clutter, Disorganisation and Mess to be used interchangeably. And if you are new to ‘getting organised’ this can create confusion about how best to tackle the specific pain point in your home.
So let’s gain some clarity and a way forward by unpacking these pesky problems and how to handle them!
The Problems: Clutter, Disorganisation & Mess
Clutter:
This is the excess, the overflow, the blockage in your home and can be described as:
Excess items that are not loved, used, or needed in your home OR
Where the volume of possessions has reached a point that stops your home functioning in the way it was intended.
(High levels of clutter can cause risks to the safety of the people who live in the home).
Disorganisation:
This issue pops up when your items are:
Needed, used, or loved but are not kept in an orderly way.
Hard to find when needed and tricky to put away after use.
Without a designated storage place or ‘home’.
Mixed together with no clear categories.
Stored in a way that means you can’t see what you have and forget you even own it!
Mess:
Any item in your home (needed or not), that is out of place, creating inconvenience or visual chaos. These items may have homes, or systems that have fallen by the wayside.
Sometimes mess is described as ‘visual clutter’.
Mess can be caused by disruptions to normal routines during times of extra busy-ness or illness.
Having a certain amount of mess that fluctuates day-to-day and week-to-week is normal, it may not be your preference but it is not a sign personal failure.
The Solutions: Decluttering, Organising & Tidying
Decluttering:
Letting go of items that you don’t love, use, or need. Includes discarding things that are getting in the way of a functional, safe space.
Organising:
Deciding where things belong in your home and storing them in a way that makes sense for where and how you use them. Ensuring they are easy to find, use and put away again.
Tidying:
Putting things back where they belong after using them. Includes dealing with any rubbish and recycling that crops up!
A few other things to be mindful of:
Sometimes clutter, disorganisation or mess is visible on floors or surfaces.
Sometimes it is hidden, in cupboards, drawers, or shelves. It can also be behind closed doors in spare rooms, garages, or sheds.
Clutter can cause mess, but so can disorganisation and lack of regular tidying.
Even after you have decluttered and organised your spaces, mess can (and likely will) still occur. This doesn’t mean your efforts decluttering and getting organised were a failure.
It’s a clue that:
You need to invest time and effort in maintaining your progress by regular tidying.
That your needs have evolved and your organisational set up or systems need to be adjusted for a new stage of life.
That the volume of possessions has crept back up (which does happen over time!) and it’s time for another round of intentional culling.
This diagram illustrates how all three solutions are needed for a functional home and what happens if one is missing.
Remember: Decluttering, Organising & Tidying!
These three ingredients working together are the recipe for success in your spaces!
Can you see any of these patterns in your home?
Summary:
The Problems:
Clutter: Excess items you don't love, use, or need
Disorganisation: Items you need but aren't stored logically or easy to find
Mess: Items out of place creating visual chaos
The Solutions:
Decluttering: Letting go of unneeded items
Organising: Creating logical storage systems
Tidying: Putting things back after use
All three solutions are needed for a functional home. Even after decluttering and organising, regular tidying and maintenance are essential.
Looking for more help, ideas or encouragement?
Free Download:
5 Things Creating Clutter – Resource to help you deal with common clutter causes
Related Blog Articles:
The psychology of stuff. Are you trying to use possessions to meet your deepest needs?
What’s Guiding Your Decluttering? Anxiety, Aspiration or Authenticity.
Resource to keep you organised:
Home Systems Workbook – Simple activities to organise routines and reduce chaos ($9.95)
Newsletter:
A Calm Year - Tips and resources to help you declutter and organise
Connect:
Need Hands-On Help with Decluttering in Brisbane?
If you'd like support navigating the emotional and practical parts of decluttering and organising, learn more about how we can work together. Calm Space Professional Organising serves the Brisbane area.
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