One in six have considered ending a relationship – over clutter

One in six adults have considered breaking up with someone – because of how messy they are. Research, into 2,000 adults in a relationship, revealed 47 percent argue on a weekly basis about clutter in their home – with 30 percent claiming the amount of clutter their other half builds up gives them the “ick”.

And 23 percent have admitted their partner’s approach to tidiness has put a strain on their relationship.

The most common messes that fuel arguments include piles of random items sitting around, stacked-up dirty plates, and wet towels left where they were last used.

The research was commissioned by local-sharing app Olio, to encourage people to pass on their unwanted possessions to those who live nearby, to help declutter their space this Bank Holiday weekend.

Master KonMari, consultant, and professional home organiser, Sue Spencer, who is working with the brand, said: “We all have different levels of “clutter tolerance”, and this can inevitably cause some frictions in relationships if your partner’s view of a tidy home isn’t in line with how you’d like your home to look and feel.

“The environment we live in impacts our emotions and moods, and therefore when things at home aren’t aligned it can cause arguments and resentment – neither of which are good for a joyful life.

“When you aren’t comfortable in the way your home feels you are less likely to relax, connect, and spend quality time with each other – especially if one of you feels they are constantly tidying up the space.

“Clutter has been shown to impact on cortisol levels, so if you are sensitive to the level of clutter in your space you are more likely to feel stressed.”

The study also found toys never tidied away, bagged-up items for the charity shop that never leave the house, and used breakfast bowls and old drinking glasses, are among other major irritations.

Messy living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms were the rooms proven to wind people up the most.

But despite the bust-ups, 15 percent reckon their home is tidied to a satisfactory level.

Almost half (47 percent) feel there is a lot of clutter in their home, with 40 percent blaming their partner, and 22 percent putting it down to children’s belongings.

However, 18 percent admitted the issue lies with them – and 36 percent would be embarrassed for other people to see the state of their home on an average day.

It also emerged a quarter of adults rate themselves as the indecisive type, while 24 percent consider themselves a sentimentalist, and 19 percent reckon they struggle to prioritise having a tidy.

A fifth (19 percent) of those polled, via OnePoll, declutter their home once a year or less – but 34 percent do so every three to six months.

Tessa Clarke, co-founder and CEO of Olio, which has given away eight million household items and 95 million portions of food since it launched globally in 2015, added: “As the research has shown, clearly different people have different levels of clutter tolerance.

“By giving away items you no longer need, not only are you doing a good thing for your community and the planet, you could also be saving your relationship, too – unless you’re giving away your partner’s possessions without checking, of course.”

To find out what your “clutter type” is, take this Clutter Quiz, which will give you some insights from Master KonMari, consultant, and professional home organiser, Sue Spencer, on what could be causing your clutter, and how to tackle it.

Source: Read Full Article