In today’s post, you’ll discover the benefits to a clean and organized home. You will also determine what a clean and organized home means to you.
Dishes piled in the sink. Paper clutter filling the tables and counters. Toys scattered about the floor. Clothes piled up to be washed or folded. It seems everywhere you look, there’s a mess. And chances are, you’d love more than anything to escape it.
This was my reality for longer than I’d like to admit in the beginning stages of motherhood. Before kids, messes didn’t seem to bother me too much. But kids brought a whole new level to the word mess, and I began to notice that my messy and disorganized space was impacting my mood, well-being, and ability to show up as a mom.
How the Lack of a Clean and Organized Home Affects Mood
I began to notice that when the clutter and mess showed up, feelings of frustration, overwhelm, and distraction came along for the ride. It was also more difficult to be present with my kids. I couldn’t enjoy playing with them because all I could see was the mess around me. However, after a day of cleaning, I found my stress levels diminished, my focus and attention improved, and I felt an overall sense of peace and ease. Apparently, what I was feeling in both types of environments was pretty typical.
There have been many studies on the impact of our physical environment on our mood, health, and overall well-being. Mess and clutter rarely have a positive impact. In fact, research shows that living amongst clutter increases stress and anxiety, reduces our ability to focus on a task, and creates emotions such as confusion, tension, irritability and overwhelm.[1] In one study of women caring for an infant, researchers found that stress levels were higher for women in a cluttered environment (described as household chaos) versus those in an orderly environment.[2]
On the contrary, a clean and organized home has the opposite effect. Our brains like order. When clutter and disorganization have been eliminated from a space, our brains are no longer visually distracted. This gives us greater ability to focus. Stress and anxiety that clutter and disorganization have been shown to create are diminished.
I have experienced first hand the positive effects of a clean and organized home. In fact, the positive impact on my well-being as a stay-at-home mom has been so strong that daily attention to my home is a non-negotiable. I am a better wife, mother and person when my home, the place I spend the most time, is clean and organized.
Final Thoughts
We’ve established that clutter in the home can negatively impact our mental and physical well-being as stay-at-home moms. That said, everyone’s tolerance for mess and clutter is different. It’s important to take some time and determine what’s important to you.
We must also be careful not to fall into the trap of believing the social media standards for a clean and presentable home. Sure, those perfectly clean, serene and decorated photos look beautiful, but I just don’t find them to be reality for those living with young children, or any children for that matter. My dining table will always have a small stack of papers on it, my entry console table will always have a planner and books I’m currently reading adorning it, and my coffee table stacked with some colorful children’s books. The blanket that covers the couch is always a bit rustled up from people sitting on it, the pillows never neatly placed in their spots, and the blanket for chilly mornings never folded, instead balled up in a basket beside the couch, but that’s okay. To me, it’s evidence that real people, a real family live there.
Perfection is impossible, a lie, a standard never meant to be met, so do not fall for it. Instead, embrace the grace gifted to you and enjoy the fruit of your imperfect, yet consistent effort. You won’t be disappointed.
Reflect
As moms, we are so concerned with making sure everyone else is taken care of that we fail to take time to think about what’s important to us. I encourage you to schedule some time to sit down with a journal and reflect on the following:
- How does clutter and mess make you feel?
- How do you feel when your home is clean and tidied?
- What frustrates you most when it comes to maintaining a clean home?
- finding the time?
- lack of help?
- unable to finish a task?
- lack of space and storage?
- lack of motivation?
- not knowing where to start?
- What is your idea of a clean home? What would you be happy to have done each day? What would you be fine to let go?
- What is a realistic amount of time you could commit to your home each day?
- If you could only tackle one pain point in your home, what would it be?