How I became an anti-hoarder

Neither of my parents were very tidy people.

And while my childhood home wasn’t exactly a candidate for the show ‘Hoarders’, it got dangerously close at times.

Now, as an adult, I’m a bit of an anti-hoarder due to my childhood experiences of chronic health problems and needless stress caused by my living environment.

Some call me a clean freak.

That’s fine by me.

Instead of arguing or explaining myself I tell them “You’re right” and then get back to providing a healthy home for my children to grow up in…

The home I wish I had as a child.

Because a cluttered home is like a ticking time bomb, waiting to explode and cause serious harm to your health.

Let’s break it down…

• Increased stress levels: Clutter in the home causes increased baseline stress levels, which can cause all the other stress-related health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and even strokes later in life.
• Decreased productivity: Clutter can make it hard to focus and get things done, leading to decreased productivity and a lack of motivation in every area of your life.
• Disrupted sleep patterns: A chaotic environment makes it hard to sleep and maintain healthy sleep patterns. Chronically disrupted sleep cripples your immune system, causes even more stress, and leads to overall poor health and more frequent illnesses in the long run.
• Increased risk of accidents: Cluttered spaces can be hazardous and increase the risk of accidents, like tripping and falling, broken bones and life-ruining brain injuries.
• Poor indoor air quality: Dust and dirt can accumulate in cluttered spaces, leading to poor indoor air quality and causing chronic respiratory problems.
• Pests and insects: Clutter can provide a breeding ground for pests and insects, like mice, fleas, lice and bedbugs. More than a few of the people who have accused me of being a clean freak in the past have had to deal with all of these pests in their home, on more than one occasion. I’ve never had such a problem in my adult life. Hmmmm.
• Spread of disease: Cluttered spaces can be breeding grounds for germs and bacteria, increasing the risk of the spread of infections and constant re-infection due to constant re-exposure.
• Increased risk of depression and anxiety: Clutter can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression, making it hard to enjoy life and leading to a downward spiral of negativity and despair as your lack of motivation makes it even harder to dig yourself out of the mess.

Does this all sound pretty grim?

It certainly was for me and my siblings.

As a child I had little control over the situation.

But now, as an adult, it’s fully within my control and I don’t hold back in exercising that control…

Because all of the things I mentioned above can be avoided by simply getting in the habit of keeping your home, and your life, clean and tidy.

Best wishes,
Jason Lynch
Founder – Speedzen Subliminals