Tidy Home, Clear Mind: The Power of Decluttering for Mental Wellness | Clutterbug Podcast # 271

Have you ever torn your house apart looking for something that was exactly where it should have been? Or spent hours tidying, only to find the mess returned overnight? You’re not alone—and you’re not a failure.

In this episode, I dive deep into the powerful science behind clutter and how it impacts your brain, your stress levels, and even your physical health. Discover how decluttering isn’t just about a Pinterest-perfect home—it’s about rewiring your brain for clarity, calm, and joy.

You’ll learn:

• Why clutter overwhelms your brain and saps your energy
• How a tidy space can boost your focus, creativity, and sleep
• Simple, science-backed tricks to master motivation and beat decision fatigue
• How minimalism might be the mental freedom you’ve been craving

So grab a trash bag, hit play, and let’s declutter together—because your sanity is worth it.

 

Show Notes & Links:

Join the Take Your House Back Course (on sale now!)
https://www.takeyourhouseback.com/courses/take-your-house-back?ref=5bbd37

All Day Declutter Event – May 3rd
Be part of a community declutter day with real-time coaching and support from Cas, Dana, and Dawn.

 

Studies & Research Mentioned:

1. Visual Clutter Affects Brain Function
   McMains & Kastner – Princeton Neuroscience Institute
   https://www.princeton.edu/news/2011/01/13/too-much-information-study-shows-overload-affects-brain-function
2. Desk Clutter & Productivity
   Same Princeton lab study – desk simulation showed 20% faster performance in tidy spaces
   (See link above)
3. Clutter and Chronic Procrastination
   Joseph Ferrari’s work on clutter and avoidance behavior
   https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joseph-Ferrari
4. Cortisol Levels in Cluttered Homes
   UCLA “No Place Like Home” study (Saxbe & Repetti, 2010)
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20384438/
5. 15-Minute Tidy-Up and Anxiety Reduction
   Study by Our Mental Health (Nov 2024)
   https://www.ourmentalhealth.org
6. Clean Desks Boost Accuracy & Creativity
   Colton Moulton (2015) – anecdotal reference, source not available
7. Implementation Intentions Increase Follow-Through
   Gollwitzer & Sheeran (2006)
   https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0065260106380050

 

Tools and Methods Mentioned:

• 20/20 Rule – The Minimalists
  https://www.theminimalists.com/clutter/
• Pomodoro (20/10 Timer Method)
  https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique
• Temptation Bundling – Katy Milkman
  https://behavioralscientist.org/how-to-make-temptation-work-for-you/

 

Tag me on social media (@clutterbug_me) and share your wins!
Your progress might just inspire someone else to start closing the clutter tabs in their brain too.

 

#clutterbug #podcast #mondaymotivation #thepowerofdecluttering