Cathartic cleaning and decluttering.

MotownJohnny · Aug 02, 2014 at 02:44 PM

Everyone seems to agree that is emotionally cathartic to clean, decluttering, throw away unused junk, etc.

Does anyone know the psychology behind it - why should that be psychologically more significant than other household tasks?

kaliope · Aug 02, 2014 at 03:47 PM

I think it is because when your house is clean, you feel good. when you feel good it raises your self esteem.

Silent Void · 06:45 PM

I've been systematically going through everything in my house and shredding/donating everything I don't need. I've got a two bedroom house down to a small U-Haul trailer.

Yes, it is cathartic. I've divested myself of the past and have only what I need to survive. I could lose everything and easily start over because in the process I've shed materialism. I have nothing of value except the home itself, my car, a few boxes of family photos, and a ring.

Now I don't care what happens to me. The impact of the loss will be minor.

How did I get to this point? I went into psychosis and was denied access to everything personal during five hospitalizations. I was so heartbroken over material goods that I just snapped and the bond was broken.

With the loss of my cats, whom I pined for all that time, my heart truly died.

Getting rid of everything, at that point, was easy. I was ready to die. I still am.

I. Am. Prepared.

Perna · Aug 02, 2014 at 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MotownJohnny

why should that be psychologically more significant than other household tasks?

You have to make the bed, do the dishes, most other household tasks often or things look "bad". It's like antidepressants, they don't make you happy, they just make you "even"/not depressed. Most household tasks are small and repetitive so there is not much bang for the buck but if you let things slide, they all get out of balance and you get mess everywhere and clutter, the "doing"/experiential equivalent to depression. Action is the antidepressant that clears up the whole thing back to "even" until the next time you fail to keep up and slip into the black hole of household chaos, muahahaha. . . cough cough

Aug 02, 2014 at 04:37 PM

Neither my wife nor I are savers. If we don't see a more-or-less immediate use for something... out it goes! I've disposed of allot of stuff that I wish I had back now.

But, at the time, it sure felt liberating to get rid of it! I can't say I've ever run across a psychological explanation for why this can feel so exhilarating... But I know it can!

~Christina · Aug 02, 2014 at 05:36 PM

I cant stand clutter it makes me crazy.. Every few months I go through my closet and toss out more stuff ..I just dont want extra stuff around.

My husband on the other hand

hes more the " norm" he has stuff .. Its a careful balancing act for me to not toss out all his stuff also ... Maybe its part of my Bipolar .. i dunno ..

Everyday its the same chores.. I am one of the " I cant sleep if there are dishes in the sink " kinda people.

Mentally I feel better when things are in order.

Teacake · Aug 02, 2014 at 05:52 PM

We acquired our stuff in the past and keep It because we anticipate using it in the future. Our stuff is always yammering about the past and nagging about thw future.

You haven't done this yet. When will you do this? Are you going to do this?

This is hotel rooms feel so great and why the best luggage is one shoulder bag.

Can't Stop Crying · Aug 15, 2014 at 06:06 PM

I was once told = a cluttered house represents a cluttered mind...

H3rmit · Aug 15, 2014 at 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MotownJohnny

Does anyone know the psychology behind it - why should that be psychologically more significant than other household tasks?

To me it seems like once you've "set your house in order" you have prepared your workspace and now you can take action. Thus is relates to effectiveness, motivation, and getting down to life, things that are hard to do when you are in a poor mental state. Also, letting go of things, including the past associations they may represent, suggests freedom and an opportunity to make changes, both things associated with a sense of well being.

But, no, I don't know for sure the psychology behind it. Or why making the bed every day is associated with being less depressed. (Just a weird thing I heard one time.) I guess that's kind of like being willing to take those baby steps and get moving with the day. That the do-er deserves a pleasant environment. And that taking any action may give the momentum to take further actions.

I don't know.

But I can sure speculate.

Aug 15, 2014 at 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perna

You have to make the bed, do the dishes, most other household tasks often or things look "bad". It's like antidepressants, they don't make you happy, they just make you "even"/not depressed. Most household tasks are small and repetitive so there is not much bang for the buck but if you let things slide, they all get out of balance and you get mess everywhere and clutter, the "doing"/experiential equivalent to depression. Action is the antidepressant that clears up the whole thing back to "even" until the next time you fail to keep up and slip into the black hole of household chaos, muahahaha. . . cough cough

Quote:

Originally Posted by Can't Stop Crying

I was once told = a cluttered house represents a cluttered mind...

That's pretty much the way it works for me. Also or maybe this is just repeating the above posts but I look at the mes and the clutter and my mind says "that's your head symbolically... and you can fix that at least"

Onward2wards · Aug 16, 2014 at 01:26 AM

I think decluttering and simplifying is cathartic in two ways:
(1) It gets rid of a "big pile of stuff" that reminds you of overwhelm all the time;
(2) It's empowering and inherently motivating to see a visual difference in your living space due to a conscious effort you have made. It's like a gesture of defiance to feelings of helplessness, maybe?

Yoda · Aug 16, 2014 at 03:59 AM

I wouldn't know the effect of clutter clearing because I am a hoarder and live in squalor.
I even sunk to the depths of humiliation of being on a hoarding show but the "organizer" was not all that helpful except to help discard obvious trash and clean things. There was no real help for actual organizing of my possessions and I cannot locate many items that the "organizer" stashed into boxes/closets for out of sight, out of mind but that hasn't helped my house to be more functional.

happiedasiy · Aug 16, 2014 at 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yoda

I wouldn't know the effect of clutter clearing because I am a hoarder and live in squalor.
I even sunk to the depths of humiliation of being on a hoarding show but the "organizer" was not all that helpful except to help discard obvious trash and clean things. There was no real help for actual organizing of my possessions and I cannot locate many items that the "organizer" stashed into boxes/closets for out of sight, out of mind but that hasn't helped my house to be more functional.

Dear Yoda,
Sorry to hear the help you received wasn't efficient enough to get you to a good place.

I am not a hoarder however I do find motivation to keep up with my home much harder now that I live alone. It also includes with preparing, cooking, and cleaning for myself a big effort. I can get the trash into the bags but getting the bin out on the right night,

I am and am not a great organizer.
I 'm also starting to shred, shredding everything thats not relevant for the last 5 years, and still will have boxes of documents. A Disability Box, Medical Box, Tax Box, Bill Box, and it is working. You can come out from this and find your way.

Now that my daughter has been out of the house, married, and now is expecting a baby boy this Nov it is time to reset my life.
I think I'll have a lawn sale and everything left over will go to charity.

I liked a lot of what the other posters said, I like what George said and will use that if a pile comes up.

H.

Aug 16, 2014 at 08:35 AM

It is hard to give up "things" when that is all you are left with.

H3rmit · Aug 16, 2014 at 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yoda

I wouldn't know the effect of clutter clearing because I am a hoarder and live in squalor.
I even sunk to the depths of humiliation of being on a hoarding show but the "organizer" was not all that helpful except to help discard obvious trash and clean things. There was no real help for actual organizing of my possessions and I cannot locate many items that the "organizer" stashed into boxes/closets for out of sight, out of mind but that hasn't helped my house to be more functional.

Oh, Yoda, I wish I could come and help you. I love sorting out a workspace. Our place is somewhat cluttered because it's small, but the small piles of stuff are things we're actively using, and the piles are constantly chnaging. Otherwise, out/away it goes.

brainhi · Aug 17, 2014 at 06:37 AM

For me many times other things are more important to me. I like to have things in there place and feel the reward when I "feel like" cleaning. But I'm not overly sensitive to it - my time may be more important doing something else - I do not pressure myself that the house is not tidy too - it's ok - I will get to it when I can.

Was not always like that - my x lived in a lot of clutter. He was OK with that and I fought it and would get angry a lot. Finally a compromise - he could clutter the office. Or if I saw his clutter & it bothered my I would move it to his office. When we would clean the house - he would say: "Now, everything is right in your world".

If I could afford a maid I would not bother to clean - I have other things I want to do.

There is no right answer for everyone.

(JD) · Aug 17, 2014 at 10:21 AM

There are many articles and books about the benefits...

here's one on stress busting:
6 Ways that Cleaning Can Alleviate Stress

and another similar article:

Organization as a Secret Weapon to Better Mental Health

and one from the BBC

BBC NEWS | Health | Cleaning 'improves mental health'

InsideBlackBox · Aug 18, 2014 at 02:02 PM

There was a time when my impulsiveness took control of my unorganized mind then. Today, declutter is cathartic and helps keep my mind clear. For me, provoked stressors set my mania rolling even when medicated. So, if I can be proactive to empower myself to prevent cycles, I'm in.

InsideBlackBox · Aug 18, 2014 at 02:03 PM

Thank you for those resources.

unaluna · Aug 18, 2014 at 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MotownJohnny

Everyone seems to agree that is emotionally cathartic to clean, decluttering, throw away unused junk, etc.

Does anyone know the psychology behind it - why should that be psychologically more significant than other household tasks?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaliope

I think it is because when your house is clean, you feel good. when you feel good it raises your self esteem.

and when i felt good and my self-esteem was rising, my mother would slap me upside the head - not hard, just enough to make me feel bad, cuz as she said, she didnt want me to get a big head, cuz then no one would like me. So lets keep that self -esteem LOW!!!

Hoarding is one of the most intractable issues ts confront - ie they cant fix it!

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MotownJohnny Poohbah Member Since Jul 2013 Location: In the City of Blinding Lights Posts: 1,458 11 46 hugs given	Aug 02, 2014 at 02:44 PM #1 Everyone seems to agree that is emotionally cathartic to clean, decluttering, throw away unused junk, etc. Does anyone know the psychology behind it - why should that be psychologically more significant than other household tasks?
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kaliope Legendary Wise Elder Community Liaison Member Since Jun 2011 Location: somewhere, out there Posts: 36,240 (SuperPoster!) 13 9,987 hugs given	Aug 02, 2014 at 03:47 PM #2 I think it is because when your house is clean, you feel good. when you feel good it raises your self esteem. __________________ kali's gallery http://forums.psychcentral.com/creat...s-gallery.html
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Anonymous100305 Guest Posts: n/a	Aug 02, 2014 at 04:37 PM #5 Neither my wife nor I are savers. If we don't see a more-or-less immediate use for something... out it goes! I've disposed of allot of stuff that I wish I had back now. But, at the time, it sure felt liberating to get rid of it! I can't say I've ever run across a psychological explanation for why this can feel so exhilarating... But I know it can!
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Teacake Account Suspended Member Since Dec 2013 Location: American Southwest Posts: 1,277 10 28 hugs given	Aug 02, 2014 at 05:52 PM #7 We acquired our stuff in the past and keep It because we anticipate using it in the future. Our stuff is always yammering about the past and nagging about thw future. You haven't done this yet. When will you do this? Are you going to do this? This is hotel rooms feel so great and why the best luggage is one shoulder bag.
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Can't Stop Crying Elder Member Since Jan 2011 Location: missing Posts: 6,693 13	Aug 15, 2014 at 06:06 PM #8 I was once told = a cluttered house represents a cluttered mind...
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Onward2wards Magnate Member Since Jun 2010 Location: USA Posts: 2,283 14 2,137 hugs given	Aug 16, 2014 at 01:26 AM #11 I think decluttering and simplifying is cathartic in two ways: (1) It gets rid of a "big pile of stuff" that reminds you of overwhelm all the time; (2) It's empowering and inherently motivating to see a visual difference in your living space due to a conscious effort you have made. It's like a gesture of defiance to feelings of helplessness, maybe?
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Anonymous100144 Guest Posts: n/a	Aug 16, 2014 at 08:35 AM #14 It is hard to give up "things" when that is all you are left with.
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InsideBlackBox Member Member Since Aug 2014 Location: Equilibrium Posts: 46 10 47 hugs given	Aug 18, 2014 at 02:02 PM #18 There was a time when my impulsiveness took control of my unorganized mind then. Today, declutter is cathartic and helps keep my mind clear. For me, provoked stressors set my mania rolling even when medicated. So, if I can be proactive to empower myself to prevent cycles, I'm in.
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InsideBlackBox Member Member Since Aug 2014 Location: Equilibrium Posts: 46 10 47 hugs given	Aug 18, 2014 at 02:03 PM #19 Thank you for those resources.
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