Clear Your Clutter and Create a Less Stressful Environment

With so many of us working remotely and spending more time at home since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, our personal spaces have become even more important to our overall well‑being. Our series, Twill at Home, will help you explore the positive—and negative—impacts our homes can have on our mental health, and how we can optimize, organize, decorate, and curate our living environments to improve our wellness.

If you've ever had a near-panic attack looking for lost keys among all the stuff in your living space or stressed out while trying to find an important document amongst a stack of paper on your desk, you know that clutter is more than just an eyesore—it can have a tangible effect on your mental health and mood.

Research suggests that too much clutter can negatively affect your ability to focus, be productive, and manage stress. Conversely, those who feel competent at controlling clutter may have a greater sense of accomplishment and experience more positive emotions. Many of us know that living and working in a messy environment doesn’t look good or make us feel good, but recognizing the need to tidy up doesn't always result in a big cleanup session.