What your clutter is actually costing you
TL;DR
Clutter isn’t just about having too much stuff or making your home look messy. It’s mental weight that can hold you back from enjoying your space (yes, we are looking at the chair that’s become a second closet). The good news? Just point and we’ll help you make room for a fresh start.
- Clutter creates mental background noise, making it harder to relax and focus.
- Spending time searching for misplaced items adds up, costing you time and energy.
- Unfinished tasks can leave you feeling guilty or overwhelmed.
- Letting go of items that no longer serve you can provide some much-needed stress relief.
- You don’t need to declutter your entire home in one day. Start with one room or even one drawer, and let those small wins build momentum.
Sure, clutter isn’t the first thing most people want guests to see when they come over, but it impacts us on a deeper level than just looking a little messy.
Research has found that people with cluttered homes tend to have higher cortisol levels (aka the stress hormone). Our brains are wired to notice unfinished tasks, so every time you walk past that pile of clothes on the floor, it’s a reminder of a chore left undone. When those reminders are everywhere, they can create a cycle of stress that makes it even harder to find the motivation to get organized.
Here are some hidden costs of clutter you might not have considered:
Mental energy
Every item you haven’t decided what to do with takes up a little bit of mental space. Whether it’s a box you’ve been meaning to sort through or a shelf full of knickknacks you no longer use, these unfinished decisions add to your mental load. Save that energy for things that actually matter, like deciding which taco place you want to try tonight.
Time lost
How much time over the years have you spent looking for car keys or trying to locate a misplaced jacket? The answer: too much. A little organization goes a long way, making everyday routines smoother and giving you back time for all the activities you’d rather be doing.
Guilt
We’ve all got that pile of clothes to donate or that box sitting by the front door that’s been there for months. Instead of being useful, those items can become a constant reminder of something you keep meaning to do. Letting them go doesn’t just clear space–it clears that nagging feeling too.
Reduced focus and creativity
When your surroundings feel busy, so can your mind. A cluttered space is full of visual distractions, making it difficult to concentrate, relax, or think creatively. Creating more breathing room can make it easier to focus on the task in front of you.
Emotional weight
Some items remind us of wonderful memories, like the guitar we learned our first chords on. Others keep us connected to versions of ourselves we’ve already outgrown. Holding onto everything can make it harder to appreciate where we are today. Making space for the life you’re living now can feel surprisingly freeing.
Maintaining a clutter-free space isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about reducing the mental background noise, reclaiming your time, and making room for what matters most to you.
You don’t need to do a full home cleanout all at once. Start with one room, one corner, or even one drawer. Small steps add up, and you might be surprised by how much lighter your space (and your mind) feel.
Need a little extra help? We're here when you're ready. We'll take care of your unwanted items and make every effort to donate and recycle whenever possible.
Frequently asked questions
1-800-GOT-JUNK? is more affordable than you may think. Our junk removal prices are all-inclusive, which means you get:
- Professional, uniformed and insured crew members
- Junk removal from anywhere on the premises
- Loading, lifting and sorting
- Recycling, donating and disposing of items
- Transfer station tariffs and fees
- Gas and travel
We charge by the amount of space your items take up in the truck. We think it’s more fair to you to price by volume instead of the length of time it takes us to lift and load. The best part is we’re cheaper in bulk: the more stuff you have, the more value you get!
For materials with a heavy cubic weight, like dirt, concrete, and gravel, pricing is based on the total volume the material takes up in the truck, up to a maximum of one foot in height for a full truck.
Email us at business@1800gotjunk.com or call us at 1-888-475-3461
If you need service on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis, we offer bulk pricing discounts. This gives you better value compared to common alternatives, such as dumpsters or less-professional junk removal services.
Interested? Call our business account team at 1-866-916-5865 to discuss your needs as well as pricing options.
On the day of your appointment with us, our friendly, uniformed truck team members will give you a call 15-30 minutes before the start of your two-hour promise window. They’ll say hi, let you know what time they plan to arrive, and confirm any other details about your appointment if needed.
Whether your business has a single location or multiple locations, we can create a custom junk removal solution that works for you. We can coordinate pickups at multiple locations at a local, regional, and national level. Rather than work with dozens of regional or local companies, let 1-800-GOT-JUNK? handle the jobs across all your locations.
Absolutely! We take large items all the time. As long as it can be lifted and loaded into the truck by two people, we'll be happy to take it away for you!
We work with all types of businesses and can handle any type of job - cleanouts, bulk item removal, general junk removal and even specific items like cardboard or pallets. We can take pretty much anything as long as it's not toxic or hazardous. We can remove your items from wherever they’re located, whether it’s your office, store, site or anywhere else—all you have to do is point!
Yes, we're fully licensed, bonded and insured! We have insurance covering damages to both persons and property for every single booking.
While we don't quite service the entire map, we cover almost every greater metropolitan area across the US, Canada, and Australia. To see if we’re in your neighbourhood, you can start a booking by entering your postal code.
Our customer service center is open 24/7, so we’re here whenever you need us! While operating hours may vary in our franchise locations, we offer same-day and off-hours service, including weekends.
Similar articles
5 books that changed how we think about stuff
Is clutter taking over your space? Beyond just tidying up, changing your mindset is the real key to lasting change. From Marie Kondo’s classic philosophy to the freedom of Japanese minimalism, we’re sharing five insightful books that rethink our relationship with belongings. Dive in to discover practical tips, fresh perspectives, and the motivation you need to create room for what truly matters.
What your clutter is actually costing you
Your clutter might be doing more than just collecting dust. It can add stress, make it harder to focus, and turn everyday routines into bigger chores. Every unsorted pile is a micro-reminder of an unfinished task. Discover how physical mess drains your emotional energy, and learn how taking small, manageable steps can help you reclaim your space, time, and peace of mind.
Which type of clutter-keeper are you?
Ever wonder why it’s so hard to let go of clutter? Whether you hold onto items for nostalgia, keep them "just in case," or simply put off sorting through the mess, we’ve all been there. Discover which of the three common clutter-keeper types matches your personality and learn simple, practical strategies to finally take back your space.