Want More Energy? Start With Your Space.
I’ve always been one of those people who needs their space to feel clean, organized, and inviting.
Growing up, I’d always tidy my room before starting anything important. I simply couldn’t concentrate if things felt messy or chaotic around me. And if it came to resting or relaxing, forget about it - I would never be able to relax properly in a messy room.
And I’m not talking about spotless, perfectly sterile homes - that can be just as stressful, where you’re afraid to mess up a single cushion. It’s about balance. A space that supports you, not one that drains you.
Not everyone feels that way, of course.
Some people say they “thrive in organized chaos.” And while I respect that everyone’s different, I sometimes wonder… are they just used to it - or have they simply deprioritized it because they don’t realize the impact it might be having on their energy and well-being?
Because I’ve never met a single person who would walk into a perfectly clean, tidy hotel room - with a freshly made bed, clear surfaces, and no clutter - and say they didn’t enjoy it.
Same goes for workspaces. No one really feels better or gets more done at a desk covered in papers, tangled cords, and yesterday’s coffee mug - instead of a clean, organized desk with no clutter.
Our brains like order. When your space is constantly distracting and competing for your attention, it affects how you feel and how well you work.
We often don’t realize how much our physical environment (where we spend a lot of our time) affects us.
When we think about energy management, productivity, or overall well-being, we usually focus on the physical (like sleep, food, or movement), the emotional (like stress or mindset), or the mental (focus, clarity, attention).
If your thoughts feel scattered, look around. The mess around you becomes the noise within you. Clearing your space isn’t just tidying up - it’s a reset for your mind and energy.
Your environment is directly tied to your energy levels, motivation, focus, and overall mental clarity.
There’s tons of research showing that our physical environment - when it’s disorganized, messy, or cluttered - directly affects how we feel, think, regulate emotions, make decisions, and interact with others. It elevates stress hormones like cortisol, reduces our ability to concentrate, disrupts sleep and eating habits, and can even contribute to fatigue and depressive moods.
Clutter doesn’t just affect how we feel - it steals our time. In messy environments, it’s harder to find what we need, so we waste time searching for misplaced items, repeating tasks, or getting distracted. Your environment might be robbing you of time without you even realizing it. It might not be more time you need - but just a little less mess in your space.
We often underestimate it, but the space around us plays a much bigger role in our well-being than we realize.
That’s why, when I was developing my P.E.A.C.E. framework for managing energy, I made sure to include Environment (E) as one of the 5 core dimensions.
While it may not seem as critical as your physical health or emotional state, the impact is real.
In a study I conducted with a representative sample of people in Canada and the U.S., those who reported higher levels of energy, productivity, and overall happiness were far more likely to maintain simple habits like making their bed, keeping their space tidy, having easy-to-maintain systems for daily tasks, and resetting their environment at the end of the day to create a space that helps them recharge and restore their energy - unlike those who often feel drained, disorganized, or overwhelmed by clutter and unfinished household responsibilities.
And while I’m definitely not perfect - and our home can get chaotic with a 5-year-old, big family, two cats, and a new puppy - I still stick to a few simple, almost non-negotiable habits that help our space work for us, not against us.
You don’t need a complete life overhaul or hours of cleaning - you just need a few tiny habits that make a big difference and help you maintain a sense of order.
In my study, people who reported higher energy and happiness levels were far more likely to maintain their space regularly, instead of waiting until it felt overwhelming or out of control.
These small rituals don’t take much time, but they consistently help me feel more grounded, clear-headed, and calm. Here’s what they look like:
Make the bed. Every morning. I also help my 5-year-old make hers - building the habit early. It’s a ridiculously simple task that takes less than a minute, yet many skip it thinking they don’t have time. It’s considered a keystone habit: it gives you an instant sense of accomplishment, tells your brain the day has started with order, and can trigger a chain of other positive, productive actions.
Reset the kitchen before bed. So we always wake up to a clean kitchen. Sure, sometimes after a big gathering, a few dishes might be soaking, but that’s the exception, not the rule. As Mel Robbins puts it, leaving dirty dishes overnight is like not flushing the toilet - it’s not how you want to start your day. This simple “closing shift” just makes the morning feel better.
Family room reset. Each evening, I quickly realign the cushions, fold blankets into the basket, and gather up remotes. The whole thing takes a couple of minutes but makes a big difference in how the next morning feels.
Tidy desk. I’ll admit, I have a habit of spreading notes and papers everywhere while I am working. But I never let it sit for too long. Before wrapping up, I sort what’s needed, stack my notes, and leave things ready for the next day.
The “one-touch” rule. One of my favourites (more on this here). If you touch something, put it away - right away. Take your jacket off? Hang it in the closet, not on the chair. Changing clothes? Put them away, not in a pile. Finished your coffee? Rinse the cup or put it straight in the dishwasher - not in the sink to deal with later. Of course, there are rushed moments when I skip it. But I’ve built the awareness to notice it - so it doesn’t pile up. I catch it, and I reset quickly.
Micro-cleaning (or Clean as You Go). A favourite technique among professional chefs - and a key to consistently great results. I absolutely love this one. Don’t wait for messes to grow. If you spot a crumb-covered counter or a splash on the bathroom mirror, take 30 seconds to wipe it now. A quick floor sweep after dinner beats a deep clean a few days later. It’s like when you’re cooking - if something splashes on the stove and you wipe it right away, it’s gone in seconds. But if you let it sit, you’ll be scrubbing it forever later. Same goes for tidying up a digital workspace or resetting the play area with your kids - do it while it’s fresh. Staying ahead of the mess keeps things manageable and your stress levels low.
I always remind myself:
Your space should work for you - not against you.
When you spend just a little time each day maintaining a space that helps you focus, relax, or recharge, you end up saving a lot more time, energy, and stress in the long run.
And while keeping things clean and organized is the foundation, there’s also a whole other layer to how your space can support your energy. When you start paying attention and build awareness of what in your environment drains you - and what fuels you - your space becomes an incredible tool for managing your energy. Small tweaks like lighting, colour, scents, textures, or even sound can make a big difference in how you feel and function.
I’m not an interior designer, but I’ve seen firsthand how intentional changes in your environment can elevate your state. But that’s a topic for another day - one I’ll definitely be sharing more on soon.
If you’re curious to explore how your environment (and other dimensions) affect your energy, I’ve created a free self-assessment tool you can download below 👇.
And I’d love to know - are you already doing any of the tiny habits I described above? Did any of them resonate with you? Send me a note and share your strategies for keeping your space organized and supportive of your energy!
—————————————————
🔋Hi, I am Marina Korotkikh - your go-to Energy and Time Management Coach for High Performers. I will help you get from point A (Always too busy and tired) to Point B (Clear, Energized, and In Control) in 70 days. Book a commitment-free call to learn more and follow for easy productivity, energy management, and mindfulness tips.
👋 Follow for practical tips to stay energized, focused and in control of your time.
📩 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gcBuqDan
🧭 Want to check your energy levels? Download my free self-assessment: click here to download
♻️ Share with someone who might benefit!
