6 Reasons You Might Be Messy That Have Nothing To Do With Laziness

The sink is littered with dirty dishes.Clean clothes mixed with dirty clothes on the floor.The table is littered with junk mail.Oh, and isn’t there an old food wrapper under the couch?

If your home is cluttered, we’re here to help.

In reality, very few people experience a neat and organized life.

While some people may see messiness as a sign of laziness, the truth is that there are many unexpected reasons why you become messy – from life stage to personality traits to mental health conditions.

We talked to experts about these causes and how to tell if clutter is a harmless part of your lifestyle or a problem that’s making you miserable.Read on to find out what less obvious reasons may be behind your clutter:

You may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Confusion is one of the “hallmark symptoms” of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Executive functions of the brain are generally impaired in people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

This includes difficulties in planning, initiating and completing tasks, as well as problems with working memory.

When you have problems with your working memory …… you have a hard time completing certain tasks from start to finish.This means you may be easily distracted.

For example, when you walk in the door, you may be distracted by the dog running to greet you, so you leave your keys on a chair instead of in a designated bowl.

It wasn’t even a conscious decision.This person just has a hard time sticking to the idea of putting the keys in the bowl.And then it creates chaos.

People with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder may also feel overwhelmed by the steps involved in completing tasks, which can cause them to shut themselves off from dealing with clutter.For example, you may be reading a magazine and then realize that you forgot to wash the dinner dishes and your clothes have been sitting in the washer for days.

Individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have particular difficulty completing tasks that are of low interest or have no real deadline.Chores such as folding laundry or cleaning up dishes often fall into this category.

You may be dealing with depression and/or anxiety.

Our physical spatial state can reflect our mental state.Our homes can be cluttered because we are spiritually overwhelmed, disorganized, or just too tired and exhausted to keep up.

People who suffer from depression may feel a lack of energy and motivation.

We are motivated by the part of the brain that expects rewards, and when we are depressed, this part of the brain actually shuts down.This creates a sense of apathy …… which makes it harder to generate the energy needed to initiate difficult tasks such as organizing, cleaning or purging.

Depression and anxiety can also lead to a lack of concentration, which can make small tasks overwhelming.

Additionally, studies have shown that clutter in the home is associated with high levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.So not only can depression or anxiety affect our organizational skills, but a cluttered home can make us feel even more stressed and overwhelmed.

You may be going through a stressful life transition.

Major changes in life can be stressful and can affect a person’s ability to deal with clutter – even for someone who is usually tidy.

If a person experiences “psychosocial stress,” their ability to cope is impaired.

Parenting can be a particularly difficult transition, especially for parents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Now, not only do you have to take care of others, you have to take care of yourself, but you also have to deal with sensory shock …… crying babies, difficult toddlers, chaotic environments, meal planning and daily life.

Some other life transitions that can be challenging: starting college, living with a partner, getting married, getting divorced and coping with hormonal changes (e.g., perimenopause and menopause).

You may find clearing clutter emotionally challenging.

Clearing clutter can be emotionally stressful as it may bring back memories from the past.

For example, cleaning or organizing specific items, such as souvenir mugs, concert tickets, or memorabilia, may evoke emotional memories.

You may have a laid-back personality.

Personality affects how tidy you are, especially when it comes to due diligence.

Dutiful people tend to exhibit a high degree of order, responsibility and self-discipline.People with low due diligence tend to be more easy-going, disorganized, and lacking in purpose.

Most people are somewhere in the middle, but the less responsible may have a hard time keeping a well-organized space.However, they also tend to mind clutter less.

You may be hesitant.

People with cluttered homes …… tend to be more indecisive.

Indecision (also known as decision procrastination) causes people to often not make choices, so they cannot be held accountable for the results of their decisions.

If you don’t want to decide where to put certain items or if you want to give them away or keep them, you may end up avoiding making a decision altogether, so the clutter remains where it is.

How do you know when chaos is going to be a problem?

Most people experience some chaos and clutter in their lives.But how do you know if it’s really a problem?

When you have too much stuff, there is a “tipping point” that creates a “chaotic life”.

For example, if you are running late because you can’t find a toothbrush and clean clothes, this can disrupt activities of daily living and cause distress.

In addition, studies have shown that a cluttered home can affect our satisfaction with life and overall happiness.Just as a cluttered space can make us feel overwhelmed and anxious, a well-organized, tidy space can make us feel calm and safe.

If you feel like you struggle with chaos and disorganization, you can find a professional organizer in your area through the Institute for Challenging Disorganization ).If you think you may be suffering from a mental health condition (such as ADHD, depression, or anxiety), make an appointment to be evaluated by a mental health professional (if possible).They can diagnose you and help you decide what treatment is best for you.

Remember, there is no “right” way to organize your space.

If your clutter isn’t causing problems for you or others in your living environment, then it may just be a matter of your lifestyle preferences.

The most common misconception about clutter is that there is always a fit for you in your living situation.People have different levels of tolerance for clutter, and some think organizing is more important than others …… Often times, the problem is that we don’t accept these differences.