By Shannon Murphy 
Founder of Simpl Living Co and accredited professional organiser.

We live in a world where shopping is easier than ever. With one-click checkouts, same-day delivery, and constant marketing messages, it’s no surprise that many of us accumulate more than we need. But over time, our homes and our minds become cluttered, leading to stress, overwhelm, and even anxiety.

As a professional organiser, I’ve worked with countless individuals who feel trapped in a cycle of overconsumption. They buy to feel better, but the relief is temporary. Soon, the clutter piles up, leaving them feeling even more weighed down. The good news? There’s a way out.

Why We Over-Consume

We are constantly surrounded by messages telling us to buy more. Every day, we see hundreds of advertisements on TV, social media, magazines, billboards, and shopfronts. You can’t scroll on your phone or walk down a main road without being bombarded with marketing. Companies invest billions into selling us a lifestyle, convincing us that owning a certain item will make our homes look perfect, our lives feel better, and even change who we are.

The reality? It won’t.

The promise of transformation through consumption is an illusion. No amount of purchases can fill the voids we’re trying to cover up. Yet, we keep buying because it's so easy. With just one click, an item is at our doorstep the next day. We don’t even have to leave our homes to get anything we need (or don’t need).

For many, shopping is an emotional response. We consume to cover up pain, sadness, loneliness, grief, and heartache. That rush of dopamine when we hit the checkout button feels like a temporary fix. But, like any high, it fades fast. The package arrives, and reality sets in. The item isn’t as good as expected, it feels cheaper, doesn’t fit right, or isn’t as useful as we imagined. So, it gets tossed into the back of a cupboard, with the vague idea that maybe we’ll gift it to someone someday. And then, before we know it, we’re scrolling again, looking for the next purchase to fill the void.

The problem is that our homes are now overflowing, our wardrobes are bulging, and, on a global scale, the planet is struggling under the weight of overproduction and waste. We are consuming 60% more than we did 15 years ago, and the environmental cost is staggering.

The Hidden Toll of Clutter on Mental & Physical Health

Most people don’t realise just how much clutter impacts their well-being. You might feel a sense of overwhelm when you can’t find what you need or when you walk into a messy home after a long day at work, but the effects run deeper than that.
Clutter & Mental Health

•    Clutter increases cortisol, the stress hormone, which can leave you feeling on edge, anxious, and exhausted.
•    Studies have linked clutter to higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms, especially in cases of hoarding.
•    A cluttered bedroom can negatively impact sleep, which then worsens mental health, focus, and overall well-being.
•    The constant visual noise of clutter overstimulates the brain, making it harder to focus, relax, or feel in control.

Clutter & Physical Health

•    A cluttered home is harder to clean properly, leading to dust buildup that can worsen asthma and allergies.
•    Trips and falls become more common when spaces are crowded with unnecessary belongings.
•    A cluttered kitchen makes it harder to cook fresh meals, many people opt for takeaways or ready meals simply because they don’t have the space or energy to prepare food in a messy environment.

We’ve also been conditioned to believe that showing love means giving physical gifts. Advertisers have convinced us that every occasion; birthdays, holidays, anniversaries must be celebrated with things. But in reality, most of us already have everything we need. And in many cases, more stuff just leads to more stress.

So, what can we do about our overconsumption and cluttered homes?

3 Steps to Regain Control Over Consumption

1. Pause Before You Purchase

Before buying something new, ask yourself:

✔ Do I really need this?
✔ Will it add value to my life, or will it just take up space?
✔ Am I buying this for emotional reasons rather than practical ones?

Creating a pause between impulse and action, whether it’s waiting 48 hours, unsubscribing from marketing emails, or removing saved payment details, can help you make more intentional decisions.

2. Declutter with Purpose

Decluttering isn’t just about getting rid of things; it’s about understanding why we accumulate them in the first place. As you go through your belongings, notice patterns:

•    Are you holding onto things out of guilt (because they were expensive or given as gifts)?
•    Do you buy out of boredom, sadness, or stress?
•    Are you keeping items for a "just in case" scenario that never seems to come?

Recognising these habits is key to breaking the cycle and preventing future clutter.

3. Shift Your Mindset from Ownership to Experience

Instead of seeking happiness in physical items, try redirecting your focus to experiences, personal growth, and meaningful connections.

•    Invest in quality over quantity, one well-made, timeless item will serve you better than five cheap ones.
•    Prioritise purchases that align with your values and needs, not fleeting desires.
•    Challenge the idea that gifting has to mean physical objects—experiential gifts, like concert tickets or a meal together, often hold more value.

Breaking free from overconsumption isn’t about deprivation, it’s about reclaiming control over your space, your money, and your mental well-being.

When we consume mindfully, we create room for what truly matters: clarity, peace, and a life free from the weight of unnecessary clutter.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by stuff, start small. One drawer, one shelf, one mindful decision at a time. You’ll be amazed at how much lighter you feel.

If you would like to learn more about how I help my clients to declutter their homes and change their relationship with purchasing, head over to www.simplliving.co