Using 'Broken Window Theory' on My Life

Jil Shi
Jil Shi
Jul 30, 2017 · 3 min read

In continuing to declutter my life I recently took a day to push forward some areas that had been needing attention for a while.

I finally decluttered the space under my bed. It hadn't been too bad - some boxes with sheets and towels and a suitcase but I'd always loved the idea of it being clear. Allowing the air to flow freely, a better feeling of space. (How happy it made me was a bit ridiculous!).

To do it, I needed to free up some space in my wardrobe, move some items back to the kitchen. Adjust the jigsaw pieces in different rooms to make it all fit.

I gave the kitchen some attention, too, and managed to fit everything neatly into cupboards, completely clearing the counter tops. In my study, I found homes for some lost books.

And I noticed a really big difference! The week after, everything flowed so much better. My home better served me. And I was more motivated to keep my new spaces clear and not let anything 'ruin them'!

I was wondering why that was and I remembered a few years ago reading about a New York study that, when the authorities cleared walls of graffiti, people were less likely to mess them up again. Whereas, if graffiti was already there, people were more likely to add to it.

I did a bit of research and remembered that this is called 'Broken Window Theory'; crime is more likely to be committed in areas with graffiti and broken windows than it is in areas that are well-maintained.

It seems to work on a psychological level and I could see the parallels in my own 'clutter crimes'! One dish in the sink is soon joined by a couple more. One pair of jeans on the chair attracts about 3 more. One box under the bed becomes 6! Doing one thing somehow makes everything else 'fair game'. The initial damage has been done.

And extending the thinking further into habits...how often does one chocolate become the whole box? One glass of wine become the bottle? One fancy coffee a week become one a day? One bad thought become 'my whole life is a mess!' Too often. At least it does for me. I'm doing too much uncontrolled spray-painting!

I think that in clearing my spaces, I've 'fixed a few windows' and cleared the metaphorical graffiti from my home. And it's now about keeping it that way through good maintenance habits.

And is that a case of doing something 'every day no matter what'? I've also been reading that in some ways, it is easier to commit to something 100% of the time because then you avoid the 'paradox of choice' where too much choice is overwhelming. Keep it simple and just do it.

So, for me this might be 'nothing under the bed' or 'no clothes on the chair. Ever!' 'No more 'lost books'!

How could 'Broken Window Theory' apply to your life?

I think it's about identifying 1. 'What broken windows do I have in my life that I can fix right now? And then 2. 'How can I prevent them getting broken in the future?’

I'm certainly enjoying maintaining my own 'neighbourhood' and keeping myself a bit more in control!