When we see pictures of perfectly organized homes on blogs and in magazines, it’s easy to dream of having our own homes be that neat and tidy. But when we think of the time it would take to make our homes that organized, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. However, taking the time to really organize your home can be very worthwhile and benefit your life in more ways than you ever imagined! Of course, organizing your home makes it easier to find the things you’re looking for and generally makes your home look nicer. But how else can organizing your home benefit your life?
You Can Save Money
One thing a lot of people don’t realize about clutter is that it can actually cost you money. Have you ever had to pay a late fee because you misplaced a bill, accidentally bought a duplicate of something you forgot you had because it got lost in the clutter, or had food expire because it pushed to the back of a crowded pantry or cabinet? If clutter blocks vents, it can drive up the cost of your energy bills by making your HVAC system work harder. If you have some extra stuff to get rid of, selling it can help you earn a little extra money. Once you take the time to truly organize your home, you might be surprised by how much money you end up keeping in your pocket.
You’ll Have Less Stress
We all know it can be stressful when you end up running late because you can’t find something you need. But did you know that simply being around clutter can make your life more stressful? Studies have found a connection between being around clutter and higher levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, in women.
You’ll Save Time
Getting organized doesn’t just make your life more efficient by making it easier to find things. Other studies have shown that working in cluttered areas can make it more difficult to concentrate and get things done. Having so many things to look at overloads your brain’s visual cortex, making it harder to process new information. By clearing the clutter, you’ll be better able to focus and concentrate so you can get things done faster, creating less frustration and giving you more time to spend doing things you enjoy.
It Can Help You Start a Healthier, Happier Lifestyle
Believe it or not, getting your home organized can be a stepping stone toward a naturally happier, healthier lifestyle. Not only will your nicely organized home cut down on your stress levels, the habits you develop to maintain your organized home can serve you well in other ways. For example, you may start taking more time to plan out and prep healthy meals in advance, making it less likely for you to be tempted to order pizza or pick up fast food for dinner. Setting short-term goals to get your home organized also make it more likely that you will become the type of person who can establish a regular workout routine and stick to it.
Since having too much stuff around the house can cause stress, that can lead to conflicts with the people you live with. Getting rid of the clutter won’t necessarily save a marriage with deeper issues, but it can help minimize some of the little arguments you get into with your spouse.
Having a nice, clean home can also make it more likely you’ll want to invite your friends and family over more often for dinners and other get-togethers. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to have fun without having to even leave the house?
You’ll Spend Less Time Cleaning
Aren’t there other things you’d rather be doing than cleaning your house? Getting your home in order may take a bit of your time up front, but a nicely-organized home can actually help cut down on the amount of time you spend cleaning in the long run. When you have fewer items in your home, you’ll have fewer things to deal with dusting and to keep organized. Once you’re in the habit of keeping everything in order, it will be much easier to stay on top of it by organizing and cleaning up as you go.
You’ll Be Able to Use More of Your Home
When spaces around your home are too full of clutter, it can be hard to use them for their intended purposes. For example, many people overlook their garage as a part of their home organization plans. As a result, 25% of people who have two-car garages say they’re unable to park cars in the garage at all because they have too much other stuff in there. 32% of two-car garage owners also said they only had enough room to park one of their cars. By getting rid of some of your excess stuff and organizing your home, you’ll be able to reclaim all those spaces you weren’t able to take full advantage of because they were simply too cluttered.
