Why Clutter Literally EXHAUSTS You - Even When You're Sitting Still

We all know that clutter is overwhelming, but did you know that your STUFF is literally exhausting you? Yes, it makes you feel SO tired even if you’re sitting still doing NOTHING.

If just walking into your home instantly makes you feel tired, overwhelmed and exhausted… keep reading. There’s a reason… and a SOLUTION.

why clutter literally exhausts you decluttering your life

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Before I begin, I want you to know that I am NOT a “minimalist” – not by any means.

But a lot of tips and information I’ve learned about minimalizing your home has been super helpful AND very enlightening.

Which has lead me down this journey of learning how to minimalize my STUFF.

Not only to have a clutter-free home, but for ME… so *I* don’t feel so darn tired all the time.

There’s a really helpful book I’ve read called “Goodbye, Things” (highly recommended).

It’s written by (what I would call) an extreme Minimalist named Fumio Sasaki.

Fumio Sasaki is not an enlightened minimalism expert or organizing guru like Marie Kondo―he’s just a regular guy who was stressed out and constantly comparing himself to others, until one day he decided to change his life by saying goodbye to everything he didn’t absolutely need.

When you read the free sample of the book, you will see pictures inside his home and you will instantly notice how “bare bones” his material life is AFTER he “minimalized” ALL his stuff.

That is NOT my goal, but the lessons learned inside that book were life changing for ME.

As you can see in the image above, clutter causes ISSUES in your life (h/t to storage mart)

Let me ask you a question…

When you walk into a nice hotel room, how do you FEEL?

If you’re like me, I instantly feel relaxed and calm.

Now, when you walk into your HOME, how do you FEEL?

I’m guessing NOT relaxed and NOT calm.

Here’s why…

Every “thing” in your home is silently yelling at you.

You walk into your living room and…

the remote is screaming, “I need new batteries!”

the coffee table is screaming, “Get all this stuff off of me and dust me!”

the box you filled with clutter to get rid of (that’s STILL sitting on the floor) is screaming, “My goodness, woman! How long are you going to let me sit here?”

the kid’s toys in the corner – you know, the ones they NEVER play with – are screaming, “Get me out of this house!”

And then… you walk into the kitchen… and the screaming is LOUDER.

the sink is screaming, “If you didn’t have so many dishes, your sink would never be this full!”

the counters are screaming, “How can you cook in here with all this STUFF all over your countertops!?!?”

The drawers that are stuffed full of unnecessary gadgets and gizmos are screaming, “DECLUTTER ME!!!!”

When you finally escape the kitchen madness, you head to your bedroom…

The silent screaming continues about your bulging closet full of stuff you don’t wear, the dirty clothes in the corner, the laundry basket full of clean clothes that haven’t been put away, etc etc ETC.

And bless your heart if you head into the bathroom or laundry room next.

Your STUFF is constantly yelling at you – silently… but YOU hear it.

The author calls is “The Silent To Do List” –

And it is EXHAUSTING YOU – literally sucking the energy out of your soul.

How in the WORLD could you ever feel calm and relaxed… and happy… when you are constantly being yelled at by your STUFF.

This quote from the book sums it up:

Unnecessary material objects suck up our time, our energy, and our freedom.

Know what is NOT in a hotel room?

Unnecessary stuff that is silently screaming at you.

You are only surrounded by what you NEED – which is relaxing and stress free.

I’m not saying – or encouraging you – to get rid of all your stuff and live a hardcore minimalist lifestyle.

But maybe… just maybe… getting rid of the UNnecessary things will make you feel better?

Do it for YOU.

Again, the book is Goodbye, Things found here.

✅ Recommended:

(image above links to a LOT of declutter challenge printables, cleaning schedules and MUCH more!)

My House Was a MESS!
And my anxiety was through the roof!

I needed a plan to get it together - it was all pushing me over the edge.

Thing is - we LIVE here... I never had the fantasy that my home would ever look "Pinterest perfect".

I simply wanted more control, less clutter and much less anxiety.

I finally found something that worked for ME.

My house is now easier to clean - I can now clean it in minutes, instead of hours.
I can now actually FIND the things I'm looking for.
I learned some simple decluttering systems that make me much more efficient every day - and I'm more relaxed and less overwhelmed all the time (finally)
My house now looks pretty darn good almost all the time.
Best of all - I no longer stress about guests unexpectedly showing up.