The Connection of High Sensory Meltdowns and Clutter

Have you ever witnessed or experienced a high sensory meltdown? You’ll recognize it by feeling like you want to shut down, scream, or engage in avoidance behaviors. It happens when you can’t think straight anymore. Or you’re overwhelmed.

This can occur when someone discusses a distressing topic, you feel defensive, or you’re not in the right mindset to understand. However, it can also happen independently when you’re not getting what you want or when there’s a mismatch with your vision.

Some individuals experience sensory meltdowns due to clutter in their visual field. Clutter can unexpectedly consume your time, focus, and energy. The visual field can get overwhelmed and activate your nervous system in a negative way – some people start feeling ADD/ADHD – and exacerbates how you’re feeling, leading to a high sensory meltdown.

Sensory meltdowns can be triggered by various senses becoming overwhelmed. The main senses involved in sensory overload leading to a meltdown are:

• Auditory: Overstimulation of the sense of hearing, such as loud noises, multiple conversations, or sudden sounds, can lead to auditory sensory overload.
• Visual: An overload of visual stimuli, including bright lights, cluttered environments, or fast-moving visuals, can overwhelm the sense of sight.
• Tactile: Intense or uncomfortable sensations on the skin, such as certain textures, tight clothing, or crowded spaces, can lead to tactile sensory overload.
• Olfactory: Strong or unpleasant smells, like perfumes, cleaning products, or certain foods, can overwhelm the sense of smell and contribute to sensory meltdowns.
• Gustatory: Overwhelming tastes or textures of food can also contribute to sensory overload, especially for individuals with sensory sensitivities related to taste.
• Proprioceptive: Sensory input related to body awareness and movement, such as crowded spaces, sudden movements, or uncomfortable body positions, can also lead to sensory overload.
• Vestibular: Sensory input related to balance and spatial orientation, such as fast movements, heights, or spinning, can overwhelm the vestibular system and contribute to sensory meltdowns.

It’s essential to understand which senses may trigger sensory meltdowns in individuals to provide appropriate support and accommodations. Pay attention to see if clutter is activating meltdowns for you or a family member. So, let’s get that cleaned up because everyone deserves to have calm spaces they can enjoy!

In my PDF ebook “JumpStart Your Productivity: Get More Done in One Week Than You Have All Month,” I also discuss how clutter overwhelms the sensory system.

Without adequate space, desired items, or calming support, individuals may experience internal or external meltdowns. A decluttered home is crucial, striking a balance between perfection and functionality.

Cherish your home and embrace the beautiful messes that come with living. Just ensure that clutter doesn’t steal your life or trigger sensory meltdowns.

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments! I’d love to hear your perspective and experiences.