Why Are We Obsessed with tidying up? 5 Psychological Reasons
It is no secret that the home environment directly influences our emotional state. One can imagine how, upon opening the front door, we are greeted by shoes scattered in the hallway or dirty, messy rugs, and as we enter the kitchen - dishes soaking in the sink.
It feels like a heavy burden, and the sight of a cluttered home filled with objects drains all the remaining energy after a long day at work. Then you realize that in order to feel productive again, you need to start organizing right away. Have you ever thought about:
- Why does disorder prevent us from enjoying life?
- What psychological reasons drive us to tidy up even when we don't want to?
- Psychological well-being starts with a tidy environment
Tidying up our living space allows us to have a clean and organized physical environment, which in turn can help us think more clearly and be more energetic. For example, by getting rid of unnecessary items and organizing your workspace, you no longer need to search around, allowing you to focus better on your tasks or engage in activities you enjoy.
Research also shows that cleanliness and organization in your space can help reduce stress, improve mood, and provide a sense of peace and control even when life doesn't go as planned.
Tidying up gives us a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, which can contribute to a more positive mindset!
- Seeking aesthetics or just social recognition?
The obsession with perfectly organized and tidy spaces demonstrated on social media platforms also plays a role in the mania of tidying up. In social spaces, we are used to seeing others living in clean, aesthetically pleasing homes.
Unfortunately, observing this from our cluttered site can lead to feelings of inadequacy. And here we are not talking about home decor or storage ideas that you want to implement in your space - consider whether you want to tidy up for yourself or perhaps fear unexpected guests who would judge you for having a messy bedroom, although it is likely they won't even see it when visiting?
- The never-ending wave of minimalism and other trends
In recent years, the concept of minimalism has become particularly popular when talking about lifestyle. More and more people are realizing that by getting rid of excess belongings and keeping only the essentials, they feel a sense of relief.
The KonMari method by renowned organizing consultant Marie Kondo has also played a significant role in the tidying movement worldwide. This woman's approach emphasizes that there is no point in keeping items that do not spark joy, which has sparked great interest in people organizing and decluttering their homes.
- Time for yourself
Sometimes tidying up is a daily routine or even a time for yourself, akin to meditation. By tidying up, you can listen to yourself, reconnect with cherished items, or perhaps conversely - think about which items no longer serve you, thus creating space for new experiences and memories.
For some individuals, tidying up becomes a symbolic act of purging negative emotions. Therefore, discarding or organizing unnecessary items can be seen as a way to eliminate physical and emotional clutter.
- You value your time
Ultimately, even if you enjoy having many possessions, you probably understand that each of them must have its place in your home, and searching for them should not burden you.
For example, in order to have a full collection of Eastern spices in your kitchen cabinet, you wouldn't want to spend even a minute searching for a box of cinnamon among countless other spices.
Are you obsessed with tidying up?
Although these psychological reasons may trigger an obsessive urge to tidy up, it is important not to forget to maintain a healthy balance and strive to prevent it from becoming excessive or annoying behavior that could negatively affect our well-being or relationships with others.
