Messy Spaces, Messy Minds: Why I Prefer Cleanliness

Some people have mastered the art of ignoring clutter and stepping over trash like it's invisible, probably because they've convinced themselves that dirt isn't a big deal or they're just too lazy to clean it up despite knowing its dangers. For me, it's a solid no. There's this unsettling feeling I have about filth, piles of dirt or unwashed dishes, or dust settling on different surfaces. These usually create an atmosphere of discomfort for me, and I won't be myself until I clean it up, because aside from the fact that I don't like dirt, I've come to understand the deeper effects of dirt in our environment.

Most times when I walked into a messy room, I kind of instantly felt drained because I'd be burdened with the responsibility of tidying it up before I'd be in the right state of mind to do anything productive. That's to say, dirt doesn't only clutter our environment but can also psychologically clutter our minds. One thing I've come to notice is that I feel lighter after cleaning my space and tend to be more productive when everywhere is clean, unlike what dirt environments have on me, which are reduced productivity, increased stress, and many others.

A dirty environment poses a lot of dangers to us, and aside from the way they affect the mind, we can forget in a hurry how such usually invites cockroaches, rodents, bacteria, and the like, which can be annoying when you see them clinging to almost everything and smelling awful. Overall, it is not ideal to stay in a dirty environment, as all of these things can lead to health hazards.

I seriously can't manage to stay in a dirty environment, and the reasons are what I'll be talking about next.

Health risks: A dirty environment usually attracts germs, pests, and overall sickness. When you live in an environment full of pests, such as cockroaches, unwashed dishes, and bags full of trash, just know within yourself that you're giving an open invitation to infection, and since I don't want to take such risks, I'd rather stay in a clean environment and clean regularly.

Loss of productivity: I remember I once visited a family friend, and reaching there, I realized their house was cluttered with loads of dirt. It was so uncomfortable for me to the point where I had to walk outside to be productive with anything I wanted to do, because staying indoors usually makes my mind wander off to the dirt and the need to clean it, and since it's not my place, cleaning everywhere as a visitor who just arrives might be seen as an insult rather than lending a helping hand to declutter their house.

It's just not my standard: the major reason why I just can't stay in a dirty environment is because it's not my standard. I grew up with the understanding that cleanliness isn't all about personal comfort but also about discipline and self-respect. Staying in a dirty environment speaks a lot about those who reside there, and that's why I often indulge in routine cleaning of my environment because it has become a part of me. It has been instilled in me right from a tender age to clean my environment so as to chase infection and germs far away from my dwelling.

We must all have the individual to make our environment a safe haven for all, clean it regularly, and clean as we go; for example, washing the plate immediately after you're done using it, decluttering regularly, meaning we should not hoard unnecessary things that eat clutter in our space, and the less junk we've got implies the less mess we'll have around. Also, we should encourage cleanliness in everyone around us, teaching our kids to do the same to maintain a clean environment, so like I said earlier, my response to the question is the same, and it's that I can't stay in a dirty environment.

All photos are mine.