Some people wear their emotions on their sleeve. Others manifest it in the nest: The state of their homes reflects their state of mind. When depression sets in, clutter can pile up.
Health-care professionals know all too well the connection between clutter and depression. People who lose their drive find it hard to handle basic housekeeping and organizational tasks.
“A systematic pattern of home neglect is really a form of self-neglect,” says Holly Parker, a practicing psychologist and faculty member of Harvard University. “People with depression often have low energy, almost like taking gas out of the tank of a car. They lose the motivation to do things they used to love to do. If they give up hobbies, they definitely won’t do housework.”
Clutter comes in degrees, from mild to severe, from annoying to debilitating. While it can cause anxiety and depression, it can conversely be a symptom.
Professional organizer Mary Jo Monroe, owner of reSPACEd, a residential organization and design firm in Portland, Ore., says one of the first things she notices working with a client who might be depressed is low energy output. “They don’t have stamina. Instead of working two to four hours at a stretch, they’ll start to poop out after an hour.”
Spring is an ideal time to get clutter under control. For many, seasons can have a powerful effect on our moods.
In the spring, the days are longer; flowers start blooming; people are out and about. Those who struggle during the short, dark days of winter perk up in the spring.
“It’s an uplifting time,” Parker says. “You can capitalize on that time of year by getting more things done and capitalize on that boost of mood that comes with longer days.”
Solving clutter problems is a two-step process that takes planning. The first part is getting to the root of the problem, and a number of treatments can help such as therapy, medication and doing regular exercise. The second part is putting a system in place. Here are seven steps to help you get clutter under control:
Enlist the help of a family member or friend who can be supportive, physically and emotionally, and help keep you on task.
Analyze each room, and list all the activities that need to be conducted in that space, Monroe says. Then sort items, and toss, move or donate items that do not serve the main function of the space.
Deal with the biggest items that are cluttering your room first so you can see an immediate impact. “Clearing a large amount of space will boost your morale,” Monroe says.
Install intuitive organization systems. Every item needs a home, and the home must suit the need. For instance, if the entry hallway is always cluttered with shoes, put a basket there to contain them.
Take decluttering in small steps. Working one room at a time or even a portion of a room at a time, such as the kitchen countertop, will prevent you from becoming overwhelmed and tempted to call it quits. “Doing something feels better than doing nothing,” Monroe says.
When evaluating items that hold sentimental value, segregate the object from the memory. If you have Grandma’s china but don’t use it, consider keeping a teacup and saucer to display for that memory boost. Donating the rest to an appreciative family member who will use it is often a better way to honor a loved one’s memory.
It’s not only important to think in terms of getting organized but also staying organized. Employ a program of ongoing maintenance, even if it’s only a few minutes a day, so that clean-up occurs while clutter is still in the minimal - not mountainous - stage.
If the task still seems daunting, or the situation has gotten a bit too out of hand, consider hiring a professional organizer who’ll come to your home to help you prioritize and systematize. The nonprofit group National Association of Professional Organizers can help you find an expert in your area. For details, visit the group’s website at napo.net.
HomeStyle, Pages 37 on 04/20/2013