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:

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
Desk Clutter & Productivity
Same Princeton lab study – desk simulation showed 20% faster performance in tidy spaces
(See link above)
Clutter and Chronic Procrastination
Joseph Ferrari’s work on clutter and avoidance behavior
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joseph-Ferrari
Cortisol Levels in Cluttered Homes
UCLA “No Place Like Home” study (Saxbe & Repetti, 2010)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20384438/
15-Minute Tidy-Up and Anxiety Reduction
Study by Our Mental Health (Nov 2024)
https://www.ourmentalhealth.org
Clean Desks Boost Accuracy & Creativity
Colton Moulton (2015) – anecdotal reference, source not available
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