When instinct takes a darker turn – I’m a psychologist and these are 5 warning signs your tidying is sliding into 'pathological productivity' and how to strip it back

Neutral large bedroom on left with walk in closet area on the right. The closet has built in floor to ceiling closets visible, as well as an island with drawer storage. The natural decor is calming and neutral, with stripes and blue accents.

Before we get into it, it’s important to first say that 'pathological productivity' in the context of tidying or decluttering is not a mental health diagnosis or formal psychiatric disorder.

Rather, it's a useful way of describing a pattern of behaviour that doesn’t serve you positively. It focuses particularly on when productivity shifts from being healthy to somewhat compulsive and rigid.