Written by Gayle Gruenberg, the founder of Let’s Get Organized..

Being disorganized and living with clutter can take a toll on your body, mind, and spirit. Working with clients who live with chronic disorganization, I see first-hand the effects that being disorganized can have. It doesn’t have to be this way. Examining the underlying reasons for the disorganization and/or accumulated clutter, then taking even one small action to mitigate these effects, can have life-changing benefits.

Are you losing time by being disorganized? Looking for things that are out of place or hidden, or becoming distracted, think shiny object syndrome, can cause an average of one and a half hours in lost time each day. Creating a designated place for everything in your home or office lets you find what you need quickly and clarifies where to put it when you’re done. No more guessing, “What do I do with this?”

Are you losing money by being disorganized? That 1.5 hours per day adds up to over 500 hours per year. Multiply that by how much you earn per hour and see what the financial cost of being disorganized can be. Add to that any fines or penalties assessed for bills that went unpaid because they got lost. Add on repurchasing things that had to be replaced because they went missing or were damaged as a result of clutter or neglect. What is the total?

Is your energy being sapped by disorganization? Racing around looking for the things that are out of place or hidden, rushing to appointments because you’re late, or doing things over and over again because you didn’t do it right the first time, puts a strain on the body. Not only does it require physical exertion, it causes mental and emotional stress, which taxes the circulatory, respiratory, and endocrine systems as well.

Are your relationships suffering as a result of disorganization? If you’ve surrounded yourself with stuff in your home or office, you may unconsciously be creating a barrier to intimacy or friendships. At home, someone living with chronic disorganization who shares space with one or more people who are not disorganized can cause volatile clashes over the underlying issues of respect, boundaries, and self-control. At work, being disorganized, or even appearing to be, can sabotage trust, reliability, and opportunities for advancement

Is your mental health affected by disorganization? Do you beat yourself up for not being good enough or thinking, “Why can’t I do this? Everyone else can.” You may be living with brain-based conditions that affect your executive function. If you haven’t been evaluated and diagnosed, you may think that something is wrong with you. There isn’t. Your brain just works differently. You are brilliantly you, and you’re amazing just the way you are.

Committing to addressing your organizing challenges and their underlying sources can pay huge dividends in terms of time, money, energy, relationships, and your overall mental health.