How an Untidy Environment Can Affect Women in Menopause
Menopause can be one of the most transformative, and at times, challenging phases in a woman’s life.
Our bodies, hormones, emotions, and energy levels shift, often leaving us feeling foggy, tired, and not quite ourselves.
As someone currently navigating this journey myself, I understand just how much our environment can add to, or ease, those feelings. Over the years, working with hundreds of women through my Clear Mountain services, I’ve seen how a cluttered or chaotic home can directly affect mental clarity, mood, and overall wellbeing—especially during menopause.
Let’s look at how our surroundings can quietly shape how we feel, think, and cope.
1. Brain Fog and Visual Clutter
Many women experience brain fog during menopause—forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, or feeling mentally “clogged up.”
Now imagine adding visual clutter into the mix.
Every pile of papers, every overflowing drawer, every surface filled with “I’ll deal with that later” messages to the brain… it all adds up.
Your brain is constantly processing what it sees, and too much visual noise creates mental fatigue.
A tidy, calm environment allows your mind to rest, recharge, and focus on what truly matters.
2. Overwhelm and Too Many Items
When hormones fluctuate, tolerance levels drop. What once felt manageable suddenly feels like too much.
Having too many belongings creates a sense of constant demand — things to clean, fix, store, or decide about.
This can lead to emotional overwhelm and even anxiety.
Decluttering is not just about throwing things out; it’s about releasing mental load.
A simplified home creates emotional breathing space.
3. Poor Decision-Making and Overcommitment
During menopause, decision-making can become more difficult. Too many commitments, too much “stuff,” and too little energy can make even small choices feel impossible.
By streamlining your home and schedule, you remove hundreds of daily micro-decisions — freeing up headspace for what’s important.
Learning to say no is just as powerful as letting go of an unused item.
4. Health and Energy Levels
A cluttered home can subtly affect physical health, too.
Dust, poor airflow, and neglected areas often become stress triggers without us realising.
When we’re physically tired or emotionally drained, it’s harder to maintain healthy routines — from meal prep to self-care.
An organised home supports healthier habits and more restorative rest.
5. Family Understanding and Communication
When home life feels chaotic, communication often suffers.
Partners or family members may not fully understand the hormonal and emotional changes happening — and clutter can become the scapegoat for frustration.
A calmer, more ordered home environment helps open communication and reduces household tension.
It becomes easier to express needs and find understanding, rather than conflict.
6. Poor Diet and Comfort Eating
When life feels out of control, food can become an emotional comfort.
But disorganised kitchens, overstocked cupboards, and cluttered fridges often lead to poor food choices or unnecessary spending.
Creating a calm, well-structured kitchen makes healthy eating easier — because it reduces stress and decision fatigue.
It’s about designing your environment to support your best self.
7. Low Dopamine and Shopping Habits
During menopause, dopamine — the brain’s “motivation and reward” chemical — can naturally drop.
This often leads to behaviours like online scrolling and impulse shopping for that quick hit of satisfaction.
Unfortunately, this can lead to clutter, guilt, and financial stress.
By creating a more mindful home and shopping mindset, you can break the cycle and find joy in simpler, slower living.
8. Overconsumption of Alcohol and Lack of Exercise
When stress, fatigue, or sleepless nights take over, many women turn to a glass of wine for comfort.
Add in low motivation for exercise, and the cycle can deepen.
Having a structured, organised routine — with set times for movement, rest, and self-care — can make a huge difference.
Even small decluttering sessions count as movement and can boost both mood and energy.
You’re Not Alone
Menopause can feel like a storm of physical and emotional changes — but it’s also a time for powerful self-awareness and renewal.
Creating a calm, organised environment helps you rediscover control and comfort.
I know firsthand that it’s not about perfection — it’s about designing a space that supports you through this stage of life.
If you’d like help creating balance and calm in your home, I specialise in working with women navigating menopause to simplify their surroundings and restore order — inside and out.
You can find out more at
👉 www.clearmountaindecluttering.com
Final Thought
Your environment is not separate from your wellbeing — it’s part of it.
When your home reflects calm, clarity, and comfort, your body and mind follow.
It’s time to give yourself the same care you’ve given everyone else for years.
Let’s make your home a sanctuary for this next beautiful chapter.
By Elaine McKinlay – Clear Mountain Decluttering & Organising