How to clear out clutter in your workspace

Apnews - May 1st, 2025

The modern-day accumulation of clutter, exacerbated by the ease of online shopping, is becoming a significant concern for mental health and productivity, according to experts. Psychiatrist Marietta Van Den Berg and professional organizers like Matt Baier and Renee Brown highlight how clutter can negatively impact stress levels, decision-making, and sleep quality. They offer strategies such as categorizing items, scheduling regular decluttering sessions, and using existing household items for organization to mitigate these effects.

The implications of clutter extend beyond personal spaces, affecting workplace efficiency and mental well-being. Organizers advise adopting digital decluttering techniques akin to physical ones, suggesting frequent short sessions to prevent decision fatigue. They recommend reducing purchases to minimize clutter accumulation and emphasize the importance of understanding why items are kept to streamline the organization. This approach not only enhances productivity but also fosters a less stressful and more harmonious environment, both at home and in the workplace.

Productivity Online Shopping Mental Health Clutter Marietta Van Den Berg Matt Baier Organizing Renee Brown Organizing

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RATING

6.2

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article effectively addresses a topic of broad public interest, providing practical advice on decluttering and its potential benefits for mental health and productivity. It is well-structured and easy to read, with clear language and a logical flow. However, the article's accuracy and transparency could be improved by providing more detailed sourcing and links to studies mentioned, such as the UCLA study on cortisol levels. While the article includes expert opinions, it lacks balance by not exploring counterarguments or alternative perspectives on clutter. Overall, the article is informative and engaging, but it could benefit from more robust sourcing and a more balanced presentation of viewpoints.

Accuracy

The article makes several factual claims about the psychological impact of clutter, such as its effect on mental resources, stress levels, and productivity. It cites a UCLA study linking clutter to high cortisol levels, which is a specific claim that requires verification. While the article accurately captures the general consensus that clutter can lead to stress and decreased productivity, it lacks direct citations or links to specific studies, which diminishes its precision. The claims about the psychological impact of clutter are generally supported by existing literature, but the article could benefit from more precise sourcing to enhance its credibility.

Balance

The article predominantly focuses on the negative aspects of clutter and the benefits of decluttering, presenting a singular perspective on the topic. It does not explore potential counterarguments or situations where clutter might not have a significant negative impact, such as creative environments where some level of disorder might stimulate creativity. The inclusion of multiple expert opinions provides some balance, but the overall narrative leans heavily towards promoting decluttering without acknowledging other viewpoints.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear, accessible language to convey its points. The narrative flows logically from the problem of clutter to various solutions and expert opinions. The use of quotes and examples helps to illustrate the main points effectively. However, the article could improve clarity by providing more detailed explanations of the studies and expert opinions it references, which would help readers better understand the basis for the claims made.

Source quality

The article references several experts, including a psychiatrist and professional organizers, which adds a level of authority. However, it does not provide detailed information about these sources or their credentials, limiting the ability to fully assess their reliability. The lack of direct citations or links to studies mentioned, such as the UCLA study, further detracts from the source quality. Overall, while the article includes expert opinions, it would benefit from more robust sourcing and attribution.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of providing detailed information about the sources and studies it references. It does not disclose the methodology behind the claims or provide links to the research mentioned, such as the UCLA study on cortisol levels. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for readers to verify the claims independently. Additionally, the article does not address potential conflicts of interest, such as whether the organizers cited have a vested interest in promoting decluttering.