Decluttering for Mental Wellness: Transform Your Space, Transform Your Mind

Decluttering isn't just about creating a tidy home; it can also have significant mental health benefits. Here's how decluttering can improve your well-being, reduce stress, and restore your home to calm and tranquil order. We provide your with ten reasons and benefits for you to take action today.

You are not alone

A 2018 study by the Mental Health Foundation found that 74% of people felt so stressed they were overwhelmed or unable to cope. In 2025, the Burnout Report revealed that 91% of UK adults experienced high or extreme levels of pressure or stress at some point over the last year. The reality is you are not alone, we are all under pressure to respond to instant messages, social media posts, to do more with less, and we must all pay more attention to looking after our mental wellness.

Turn off the negative voice

We always say to our clients in Bristol, ‘Don’t waste time blaming and pondering. Don’t waste time judging yourself negatively, turn off that nasty voice. Take action, and the sooner you start the sooner you will finish’. To quote well known professional organiser Dilly Carter the founder of Declutter Dollies, "The key is to take it step by step, focusing on what truly adds value to your life now and whether you can see yourself using it in 6 – 12 months' time”. This is what we call the compound effect. The habits and what you start today will dictate where you will be in the next year.

Take a balanced approach

While everything must be done with balance and in proportion, Sorted by Virgo are huge advocates of regularly decluttering as a way to stay happy, reduce anxiety, and feel that you are moving ahead with life. In this article, we will discuss how we have seen the results up close in our own lives and in those of our clients here in Bristol. In this article which is a short how to declutter in a number of easy steps.

1. Reduces Stress

Clutter can be a major source of stress. It can make it difficult to relax and focus, leading to feelings of overwhelm. By decluttering your space, you can create a more peaceful and calming environment. So no matter how big the task, or how much clutter you think you have, make a list and start.

2. Boosts Productivity

A clutter-free space can boost productivity. When your environment is organised, it's easier to find what you need and stay focused on tasks. This can lead to increased efficiency and a greater sense of accomplishment. Take the time to sort through all the boxes and evaluate every item asking the key questions: do you love it? do you need it? do you use it? will you even miss it?

The sooner you start, the sooner you will finish

3. Improves Mental Clarity

Decluttering can improve mental clarity. When your space is free of unnecessary items, it's easier to think clearly and make decisions. This can lead to better problem-solving and decision-making skills. The clarity we need in out mind day to day is reflected in our living environment which we wake up to every day. Your home environment is your most important, it is the space that you can control throughout, make it the most welcoming, warm and peaceful environment for you to wake up to and end every day.

4. Enhances Mood

A tidy and organised space can enhance your mood. It can create a sense of order and control, which can lead to feelings of happiness and satisfaction. So no matter if you have a good or a bad day, you will always have that safe haven of calm and tranquility to return to every day.

5. Encourages Mindfulness

Decluttering encourages mindfulness. It requires you to be present and intentional about what you keep and what you let go of. This can help you develop a greater awareness of your surroundings and your relationship with your belongings.

6. Promotes a Sense of Accomplishment

Decluttering can promote a sense of accomplishment. Completing a decluttering project can give you a sense of achievement and boost your confidence. Its about tackling the small things, step by step ticking them off your list so you can see the changes around you. That sense of achievement and the dophamine hit will compound and give you the courage to take on more tasks to tick them off your list.

7. Supports Better Sleep

A clutter-free bedroom can support better sleep. When your sleeping environment is tidy and organised, it's easier to relax and unwind, leading to improved sleep quality. Why not try an oil burner with lemon grass, or your favourite scented oil to create the perfect space to unwind and gather your thoughts at the end of the day.

8. Fosters Creativity

A decluttered space can foster creativity. When your environment is free of distractions, it's easier to think creatively and come up with new ideas. You can now look to the horizon clearly and right size the day to day challenges which we all face.

9. Encourages Healthy Habits

Decluttering can encourage healthy habits. It can create a more organised and functional space, making it easier to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The things we do regularly, once a week or a few times a month become a ritual, they become habit.

10. Strengthens Relationships

Decluttering can strengthen relationships. When your home is tidy and organised, it's easier to spend quality time with loved ones and create a positive and harmonious living environment. You want to invite people in to share your home and environment which is key for keeping your sense of community and conection with the world outside.

The Psychological Impact of Clutter

Clutter creates chaos, which impacts our ability to focus and process information. According to a study published in Psychology Today, clutter is a form of visual distraction that increases cognitive overload and can reduce working memory. This means that a cluttered environment can make it difficult to concentrate, leading to increased irritability and decreased productivity.

Decluttering Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Several studies have shown a correlation between disorganization, clutter, and mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Messy environments can cause frustration, helplessness, and feelings of being overwhelmed. By decluttering, we can reduce these negative emotions and create a more serene and organized space, which in turn promotes relaxation and reduces stress levels.

Boosting Self-Worth and Productivity

Decluttering not only helps to reduce stress but also boosts self-worth and productivity. A clean and tidy home can improve sleep, boost mood, and promote relaxation. When we take control of our environment, we feel more in control of our lives, which can lead to increased self-esteem and a greater sense of accomplishment.

Start with these quotes to Inspire Your Decluttering Journey

To help motivate you on your decluttering journey, here are some inspiring quotes:

• "Clutter is not just the stuff on your floor, it’s anything that stands between you and the life you want to be living." – Peter Walsh

• "Your home is a living space, not a storage space." – Francine Jay

• "Clutter is the physical manifestation of unmade decisions fuelled by procrastination." – Christina Scalise

The Science Behind Decluttering

Research has shown that people are less irritable, less distracted, more productive, and better able to process information with an uncluttered and organized work area. This is particularly important for those with ADHD, brain injury, or executive function deficits, as staying organized can be a challenge. Developing systems for keeping certain things like keys, phones, and wallets in designated places can significantly improve time management and reduce daily stress.

Conclusion

Decluttering is more than just a physical act; it is a powerful tool for improving mental health. By clearing out the unnecessary items in our homes, we can create a more peaceful and organized environment that promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and boosts our overall well-being. So, take the first step today and start your decluttering journey. Your mind will thank you for it.

We offer the following services

1.    Sorting The starting point is a comprehensive and objective sorting service tailored to individual needs and the goal of restoring flow, balance in the places you spend most of your time.  We help you cut the emotional bond with the furniture and belongings which no longer fit and have utility and remain only for reasons of nostalgia.

2.     Styling This is when the magic begins and the big decisions need to be made to go with the old or the new, to reuse or to find the right sofa, wall hanging or mirror that will create the focus of the room. We spend hours trawling though antique fairs, researching the styles of today and fifty years ago, seeking the style blend and the shapes that transform your space that represent your own unique style.

3.     Design: Using colour palates, textures and fabrics our customised interior design approach allows you to create a space that reflects your unique style and needs. Our approach is to focus on the balance between functionality, design, light and colour to ensure each space is not only beautiful but also practical.  personalization makes your home feel more like your own space which improves your overall sense of satisfaction, order and balance.

4.     Hand Made Headboards: At Sorted by Virgo, we believe your bedroom should be a haven of comfort and style. That's why we offer a bespoke headboard making service in Bristol, designed to bring your vision to life. A bespoke headboard from Sorted by Virgo is more than just a piece of furniture; it's a statement piece that elevates your bedroom and creates a truly restful environment.

To discuss how we can help just click the button and lets discuss how we can help you start and achieve your dream project.