{"id":181760,"date":"2025-08-28T06:40:13","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T06:40:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/181760\/"},"modified":"2025-08-28T06:40:13","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T06:40:13","slug":"if-you-notice-these-11-things-at-someones-house-theyre-struggling-more-than-they-admit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/181760\/","title":{"rendered":"If You Notice These 11 Things At Someone\u2019s House, They\u2019re Struggling More Than They Admit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our homes and living spaces \u2014 even our desks at work and cars \u2014 mirror our inner state. When we\u2019re stressed and overwhelmed, we tend to gather clutter and misplace things. When we\u2019re disconnected from people and purpose, communication diminishes, mail accumulates, and emails go unread. As\u00a0psychotherapist Michael J. Formica<\/a>\u00a0explains, a person\u2019s home reflects their \u201cglobal state of mind\u201d \u2014 a mix of emotional, social, spiritual, and physical well-being.<\/p>\n

When seemingly superficial things like clutter and messes seem to run rampant at home, they can also be a sign of something deeper and more personal. If you notice these things at someone\u2019s house, they\u2019re struggling more than they admit. Even if some of these things are normal in the home of a well-functioning and happy person, they can also be connected to chronic stress, unhappiness, and general disarray.<\/p>\n

If you notice these 11 things at someone\u2019s house, they\u2019re struggling more than they admit:1. A bed that’s never made<\/p>\n

\"Woman yourphotopie | Shutterstock.com<\/p>\n

Psychiatrist Susan Trachman<\/a>\u00a0states that making your bed not only promotes well-being and health through routine but also can boost your mood, productivity, and stress levels. If you make your bed in the morning and everything else in your day goes \u201cwrong,\u201d at least you have a comfortable, made bed to come home to.<\/p>\n

So, if you usually see an unmade bed at someone else\u2019s house, they might be struggling more than they let on \u2014 neglecting the simplest way to protect their mood and sanity just for a few more minutes of sleep or rest.<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>11 Small Things You Can Do In The Morning So You Don’t Want To Get Back In Bed And Hide<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

2. A sink full of dirty dishes<\/p>\n

\"Man Andrey_Popov | Shutterstock.com<\/p>\n

While doing chores is often associated with a better mood and overall mental health in most people, especially as they age, according to\u00a0a study from the BMC Geriatrics journal<\/a>, not being a fan of chores or having occasionally messy spaces at home isn’t always a sign of an unhappy person.<\/p>\n

However, if things like an overflowing sink of dirty dishes or piles of laundry are common in someone\u2019s space \u2014 a sign of neglect rather than acceptance or busyness \u2014 it could indicate they\u2019re struggling more than they admit. Self-neglect, like\u00a0another study from the BMC Public Health journal<\/a>, is connected with symptoms of depression and social isolation.<\/p>\n

So, even if things like personal hygiene and doing chores seem simple, neglecting them can cause mental health issues and be a side effect of not doing them.<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>8 Phrases That Actually Improved My Mental Health When I Was At My Lowest<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

3. An overgrown yard or unkempt lawn<\/p>\n

\"Man Fizkes | Shutterstock.com<\/p>\n

While there are many connections between physical mobility issues, aging, and things like unkept landscaping \u2014 most of which\u00a0negatively impact the mood and mental health of older people<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 if you notice these things at anyone\u2019s home, it could be a sign they\u2019re struggling more than they admit.<\/p>\n

Of course, many people simply don\u2019t have the time to maintain their lawn, mow the grass, or the money to pay someone else to do it, but others struggle with the self-discipline or motivation needed to do so. Especially if their lack of lawn care prevents them from\u00a0enjoying their green or outdoor spaces<\/a>, it could negatively impact their overall mood and well-being at home.<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>11 Low-Energy Hobbies That Still Get You Outside Once In A While<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

4. An empty fridge<\/p>\n

\"Woman MAYA LAB | Shutterstock.com<\/p>\n

In addition to mental health issues that hinder basic activities like preparing meals and grocery shopping, there\u2019s also a financial strain often linked to food scarcity across the country. Many people are skipping meals, struggling with food and grocery budgets, and not eating enough to stay physically nourished because they lack the money to afford more wholesome and plentiful options.<\/p>\n

A person\u2019s financial situation is\u00a0closely linked to their food security, mental health, and physical well-being.<\/a>\u00a0So, if you notice these signs at someone\u2019s house, they\u2019re likely struggling more than they admit \u2014 even if their money issues and financial turmoil are kept quiet in other parts of their life.<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>People Who Secretly Struggle Financially Usually Have These 11 Things Missing From Their Homes<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

5. No real workspace<\/p>\n

\"Woman Evgeniia Primavera | Shutterstock.com<\/p>\n

Specifically for people who work a lot from home or remotely, not having a dedicated space for productivity can significantly harm their productivity, wellbeing, and mental health. When they constantly\u00a0work from their bed or couch<\/a>, their work begins to intrude into parts of their home meant for other activities \u2014 whether socializing, relaxing, or resting.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Even if having intentional space seems subtle, working from a place like your bed tricks the brain into thinking it\u2019s time to be productive and alert, even if you\u2019re winding down for the night in your bedroom. The stress and anxiety of work aren\u2019t confined to an intentional space but are instead running rampant in these people\u2019s homes.<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>10 Signs You’re Burned Out, Not Lazy \u2014 According To Psychology<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

6. Dead plants<\/p>\n

\"Woman Okrasiuk | Shutterstock.com<\/p>\n

Dead plants are another sign of neglect that can reveal a person\u2019s struggles just by entering their home. While alive and thriving plants offer many benefits to a space \u2014\u00a0such as improving air quality<\/a>\u00a0and creating\u00a0a sense of calm<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 constant reminders of neglect through dead and dying plants do the opposite.<\/p>\n

If you notice these signs at someone\u2019s house \u2014 clear indicators that they haven\u2019t been intentional about caring for plants or even taking care of them once they withered \u2014 it suggests they\u2019re struggling more than they admit, even if it\u2019s just with balance and time in their routine.<\/p>\n

RELATED: 11 Little Things Deeply Unhappy People Have In Their Homes That No One Else Would Ever Buy<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

7. Unfinished projects everywhere<\/p>\n

\"Couple PeopleImages.com – Yuri A | Shutterstock.com<\/p>\n

If someone is having a hard time with self-discipline, mental health, or work-life balance, unfinished projects around their home can reflect their struggles. They have the time and motivation to start projects\u2014whether it\u2019s repairs, hobbies, or chores\u2014but often lack the time or consistency to complete them.<\/p>\n

Like\u00a0psychologist Michael W Wiederman<\/a>\u00a0argues, things like self-discipline are practices that aren\u2019t always comfortable or easy to incorporate into your routine or schedule. However, the more confident you are in your abilities and intentional<\/p>\n

RELATED: People Who Disappear For Awhile When They\u2019re Overwhelmed Usually Have These 10 Reasons <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

8. Constant background noise<\/p>\n

\"Man Rachata Teyparsit | Shutterstock.com<\/p>\n

If you walk into someone\u2019s house and the first thing you notice is the noise \u2014 the TV always on, loud music, or a YouTube video playing in the background during every conversation \u2014 that could be a sign that someone is struggling more than they admit. Some people find distractions \u2014 like doomscrolling or having something on TV \u2014 to be comforting because it helps\u00a0them avoid emotional burdens<\/a>, stress, or inner criticism.<\/p>\n

While distractions can sometimes be helpful and healthy, relying on them instead of emotional regulation, self-reflection, or external support only leads to emotional suppression and greater internal chaos.<\/p>\n

RELATED: The Kinda Sad Psychological Reason Some People Have To Sleep With Background Noise<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

9. A heavy, low-energy vibe<\/p>\n

\"Woman DimaBerlin | Shutterstock.com<\/p>\n

Sometimes, when you walk into someone\u2019s house, it\u2019s not the material things, decor, or cleanliness that catch your eye, but rather the overall vibe of their space. It\u2019s\u00a0the same kind of energy that feng shui principles<\/a>\u00a0and other spiritual experts describe \u2014 the kind of \u201cchi\u201d or vibes that influence a person\u2019s mood, mental health, social ties, productivity, and happiness at home.<\/p>\n

Even if it\u2019s low-energy pets, poor lighting, or an overall dark ambiance from closed curtains that negatively impacts a guest\u2019s mood, they can still infer how the person living there feels 24\/7.<\/p>\n

RELATED: 11 Subtle Warning Signs Someone Is In Survival Mode, According To Research<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

10. Stacks of unopened mail<\/p>\n

\"Woman i_am_zews | Shutterstock.com<\/p>\n

There are many reasons why a person might have mounds of\u00a0unopened mail around their home<\/a>, from serious issues like unresolved trauma and mental health struggles to more general feelings like fear of the unknown. If you notice these signs at someone\u2019s house, it could indicate they\u2019re struggling more than they admit \u2014 unable to complete some of the basic tasks in their routine that most people would handle immediately upon getting home.<\/p>\n

From simple chores like doing dishes to opening mail, sometimes\u00a0internal chaos and dysregulation in the body make completing tasks<\/a>\u00a0much harder \u2014 even when you have the time and space at home amid a hectic schedule.<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>11 Simple Daily Tasks That Feel Impossible When Your Body Is Stuck In ‘Fight-Or-Flight’ Mode<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

11. Clutter in random places<\/p>\n

\"Woman siro46 | Shutterstock.com<\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s clothing scattered around the house, piles of stuff near the entryway, or closets and junk drawers overflowing with random items, a lot of clutter is one of the first things people notice when they enter someone\u2019s home, and it often signals that they might be struggling.<\/p>\n

Of course, they don’t always struggle with mental health \u2014 although\u00a0clutter is often inherently tied to emotional and mental wellbeing<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 but more often with time, money, or energy.<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>10 Quiet Habits Of People Who Are Secretly Struggling Inside<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Zayda Slabbekoorn<\/a> is a staff writer with a bachelor\u2019s degree in social relations & policy and gender studies who focuses on psychology, relationships, self-help, and human interest stories.<\/p>\n

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