In the early days of quarantine, a friend and I would eagerly share photos of our newly organized spaces—gleaming countertops, tidy play areas, and well-arranged bookshelves. We tagged our posts with #homeorganizationjoy, and it brought us both a sense of calm amidst the chaos. We reveled in each other’s uncluttered images, knowing full well that this pristine state wouldn’t last long.
Fast forward to day 7,349 of staying home with kids, and the mess has taken over. I often find myself grumbling about the sheer volume of stuff cluttering our lives, wondering if early settlers were just as frustrated by their kids’ wooden toys strewn across the cabin floor.
The last time I captured a truly organized space is a distant memory. Instead, my photos reflect a chaotic environment that mirrors my overwhelmed state of mind. Once, I could kick the kids out to school, take a quick 20 minutes to tidy up, and then dive into work. Now, with everyone at home, my ability to settle into a productive rhythm feels completely out of reach. If you too have thought about burning everything or hiring a dumpster and backhoe to tackle the mess, rest assured you’re not alone—science has your back.
A disorganized home or workspace disrupts our mental clarity, heightening feelings of anxiety, distraction, and overwhelm. While some thrive in chaos, I am not one of them. I find background noise tolerable, but visual clutter steals my focus and drains my energy. According to Cindy Glovinsky, a psychotherapist and professional organizer, “Order feels good because it’s easier for our brains to deal with.”
Right now, my brain is in overdrive. The pandemic has left us all grasping for stability, heightening my need for order and leading to increased anxiety. Clutter can elevate cortisol levels, the stress hormone, which in turn can raise heart rates, blood pressure, and blood sugar—definitely not good for our health. The ongoing mess keeps us in a constant state of fight-or-flight, making it hard to concentrate. This is why we often cope by zoning out to mindless activities like binge-watching shows or snacking.
Interestingly, a study from UCLA’s Center on Everyday Lives of Families found that women reported higher stress about household clutter than their male partners. While men might notice the mess, they often feel it’s not their responsibility to fix it, a notion rooted in outdated gender roles. It’s time to change that narrative and encourage everyone, regardless of gender, to take part in maintaining a tidy environment.
If clutter makes you anxious, it’s hindering your ability to relax and focus. I can’t dive into work when the dishes are piled high, papers are scattered everywhere, or toys are overtaking the living room. Ignoring the mess only adds to my guilt, preventing me from achieving a productive flow. Instead of brainstorming creative ideas, I become fixated on how to tackle the chaos around me.
And it’s not just physical messes that heighten our stress; digital clutter is also a significant contributor. With endless Zoom calls, overflowing inboxes, and constant notifications vying for our attention, it’s no wonder we’re feeling stretched thin.
In summary, we are navigating the stress of the pandemic while trying to work and manage the overwhelming clutter that surrounds us. While it would be ideal to form habits that keep our spaces tidy, the reality is that our homes are now multifunctional areas where chaos reigns. My friend and I often lament the lack of shared values around organization in our households, feeling baffled by those who seem unbothered by their mess.
As this pandemic stretches on indefinitely, I’m committed to not feeling guilty about the clutter I encounter on my way to my tidy bedroom, where I can work for a few hours in peace. I’ll continue to vent my frustrations and indulge in browsing #homeorganizationjoy on Instagram.
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Keyphrase: COVID clutter solutions
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