Good Inside with Dr. Becky

Why Mess Feels So Triggering

78 snips
Jul 8, 2025
Explore the emotional weight of a messy home and why it often feels like a failure. Discover how childhood experiences and cultural myths shape perceptions of cleanliness, especially for parents. Gain practical strategies to reframe thoughts about clutter and embrace the chaos. Delve into the importance of self-inquiry in navigating life's messiness and affirming your self-worth. Remember, you are not defined by your mess—this journey to understanding can spark personal growth.
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INSIGHT

Mess Triggers Rooted in Childhood

  • Mess triggers come from early lessons about worth and identity.
  • Visual mess often symbolizes personal failure or chaos internalized from childhood.
INSIGHT

Women’s Stress Levels Rise With Mess

  • A UCLA study found women’s cortisol spikes more from mess than men’s do.
  • Mess stress is not imagined; it's a real physiological response, especially for women.
INSIGHT

Mental Load Amplifies Mess Stress

  • Carrying the mental load amplifies reactions to visual mess.
  • Mental clutter occupies brain capacity, making physical mess feel overwhelming.
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