Is clutter making you feel bad?

Is clutter making you feel bad?

Author: ABC Australia August 16, 2025 Duration: 29:39

When was the last time you decluttered? Was it a satisfying process, or did it fill you with dread?

Where you sit on the clutter spectrum differs person to person, so today, we investigate if decluttering is worth the hype. 

Why can it be so hard for some people? Could there be a way to reduce clutter before it builds up?

And what's the relationship between hoarding disorder and clutter? 

If you want to hear more about our relationship with objects, check out Why do we love collecting?

Guests:

Professor Melissa NorbergPsychologistMacquarie University

Professor Jessica GrishamPsychologistUniversity of New South Wales

Dr Seung Hwan (Mark) LeeProfessor and Associate Dean of Engagement & InclusionTed Rogers School of Management at Toronto Metropolitan University

Dr Omar FaresAssistant Professor in the Faculty of BusinessUniversity of New Brunswick

Credits:

  • Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar
  • Reporter/producer: Rose Kerr
  • Senior producer: James Bullen
  • Sound engineer: Simon Branthwaite

You can catch up on more episodes of the All in the Mind podcast with journalist and presenter Sana Qadar, exploring the psychology of topics like stress, memory, communication and relationships on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.

More information:

Understanding 'underconsumption core': How a new trend is challenging consumer culture

Breaking up with belongings: a pilot randomized controlled trial of an unguided web-based program to reduce overconsumption

Nudging society toward more adaptive approaches to material possessions: Harnessing implicit approaches to reduce overconsumption and excessive saving

Try This: declutter your work from home space


Ever wondered what's really happening inside your head? Each week, All In The Mind from ABC Australia ventures into the complex landscape of human thought and feeling. This isn't just a dry science lecture; it's a thoughtful exploration of the experiences that shape us, hosted by curious minds who know how to tell a compelling story. You'll hear conversations that bridge the gap between scientific research and the messy reality of daily life, delving into topics as diverse as the mechanisms of memory, the challenges of breaking an addiction, or the ethical puzzles posed by artificial intelligence. The discussions are grounded and accessible, making the inner workings of the brain relevant to anyone interested in health, behaviour, or simply understanding themselves a little better. By tuning into this podcast, you join a community considering how our mental universe influences everything from our personal fitness to our social connections. It’s a weekly opportunity to pause and reflect on the fascinating forces-both biological and psychological-that drive what we do and who we are. The production brings together expert insights with genuine human stories, creating a space where complex ideas about the mind and behaviour are unpacked with clarity and depth.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 251

All In The Mind
Podcast Episodes
What's the deal with EMDR? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:40
This episode deals with descriptions of abuse. Please take care while listening.Michael Baldwin cycled through seven therapists over 22 years. No one could help him overcome the trauma of his childhood — until he tried E…
The human drive to connect – and divide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:07
It's human nature to form groups — families, friends, online communities. We love to be surrounded by people similar to us.But that can also make us discriminatory and defensive. And social media makes that instinct wors…
Fantasy and make believe — how our brains interpret fiction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:10
A magical kingdom with ogres and fairies. A post-apocalyptic world ruled by machines. An underwater monster that resembles a dragon.These fictional worlds might only be described by words, but the images they create in o…
The one thing we've never spoken about [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:11
Journalist Elfy Scott grew up in a loving and tight knit family, but there was one topic they never spoke about, for a long time: her mother's schizophrenia.Now, Elfy is sharing her family's story, and interrogating why…
Does self-help ... help? The problem with pop psychology [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:09
This episode was first broadcast in June 2021. Have you ever tried a self-help book? Did it… well, help?On All in the Mind this week, why self-help sometimes falls short ... and the problem with pop psychology more gener…
Scam psychology – how scammers get in our heads (and wallets) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:07
A lot of us would like to think we could spot a scam a mile away. Spelling errors, suspicious email addresses and requests for money… all tip offs that something isn't right.But none of us are immune to scammers' psychol…
The battle for better sleep [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:00
Do you wake up each morning refreshed and well slept? Or are you the kind of person who tosses and turns for ages before falling asleep, ruminating on all of your missteps and stresses from the day?If you chose option tw…
Cognitive dissonance and mental gymnastics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:00
Doing something that goes against your beliefs feels pretty bad, right? But what if those beliefs are stopping you from doing something good for you?Producer Rose Kerr investigates the role cognitive dissonance plays in…
A musician processes her bipolar diagnosis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:00
ARIA-nominated musician Parvyn knows what it's like to lose touch with reality.Delusions, mania, psychosis — she's experienced it all, often while on tour.Despite processing these experiences on her debut solo album 'Sa'…
Controlling the chatter in your head [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:00
This episode was first broadcast in February 2022. Most of us have an inner voice – it reminds you to pick up milk on your way home, helps problem solve, or rehearse what you’re going to say.But there are times that help…