Clutter lurks within many homes. The word “clutter” is derived from an old English word, meaning to clot, to run in disorder, or to fill with disordered things that impede movement or reduce effectiveness. Clutter is basically anything that is unfinished, unused, unresolved, or disorganized.
The natural flow of life is all about energy. Where there is stagnation, there is no balance. Clutter literally creates obstacles to the flow of energy, resulting in not only having excess “stuff” but also making us feel overwhelmed and stressed. Every day becomes a struggle as we battle endless to-do-lists and feelings of being out of control, ashamed, stuck and discouraged. Too much clutter can affect our health and quality of life.
Decluttering helps you get rid of this stagnant, blocked energy. In order to live a more meaningful life, you need to make space and room in your life so you can focus on what is important to you.
Comedian George Carlin stated it well when he said, “That’s what your house is; a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get…more stuff! Sometimes you gotta move, gotta get a bigger house. Why? No room for your stuff anymore.”
It is easy in today’s consumer society, where we place high value on owning things, to get caught up in accumulating too much stuff. The first thing people think of when they realize they need to declutter is to run out and buy more stuff to organize all their stuff. The key is to get rid of clutter, not to spend your time organizing and reorganizing it or, like George Carlin says, get a bigger house.
There is a price we pay when we hold on to clutter.
To begin with, clutter costs us our time; we are forever rearranging, reorganizing, maintaining, cleaning, or fixing clutter.
In addition, clutter costs us our energy; in dealing with the daily chaos, we end up feeling drained and it makes everything else more difficult to handle.
Furthermore, clutter costs us financially; clutter is the gift that keeps on giving as we have to continue paying for the upkeep, maintenance, and, in some cases, extra storage space to keep all the stuff.
In the end, clutter costs us our peace of mind as it becomes more difficult to relax as we are constantly on sensory overload.
Decluttering is more than just getting organized or tidying up. It involves changing your mindset and building good habits. If you do not address the underlying root problem as to why you hold onto clutter, the decluttering by itself, will not be a lasting solution. Understanding why you have a hard time letting go of clutter can help you put it in perspective and take appropriate action.
- Some people confuse stuff with happiness, and they believe the more they have, the more they will feel happy. But the problem is, they will never feel total bliss. They will not feel safe or secure, no matter how much they have. They are always worried, since hoarders feel that they will never have enough. It’s time to get out of your comfort zone and reassure yourself that stuff will always be available. There is no need to make your home a storage unit.
- “This might come in handy someday.”or “Let’s keep it, just in case.” Chances are, if you haven’t used it in the past year or two, you should get rid of it, even with all your good intentions. There are so many dollar stores around, you can always find what you need. And if you trust the universe, things usually fall into place. Who needs a box full of wires, screws, and nails taking up valuable space?
- “ I paid good money for that.” Feeling guilty about money you already spent and holding on to it will not get your money back nor add value to the item. If you are not enjoying it, then why not give it away to someone who will put it to good use and may appreciate it more than you do.
- “I feel obliged because it was a gift.” If you never liked it or had no use for it, keeping it wouldn’t make you like it any more. It was the thought that counted. Or perhaps you are keeping some items that have sentimental value with lots of emotions and memories attached to them. With so much to keep, it tends to get lost in the accumulated boxes. You are not paying homage to it by keeping it in the attic or basement. You do not need to keep every single item. You can choose your best pictures and create an album or frame your favourites; James goes for all your children’s drawings. You can also put your most cherished item on display or repurpose it; for example, I once saw someone make a pillow cover from all of grandpa’s favourite ties. Just remember that memories live in our hearts and mind. We won’t be able to take any material things with us when we die.
- “I’ll do it tomorrow.” The classic procrastinator’s excuse stems from wanting to do everything perfectly. The all-or-nothing world they live in causes delays as there is never a perfect time. The remedy is to do it now. You probably spend more time thinking about doing it than actually doing it. Start with baby steps and get the ball rolling. That’s how we move mountains, one hill at a time.
- Chaos keeps you distracted. Being disorganized and hiding behind a cluttered room or desk can serve as a convenient excuse to avoid dealing with more distressing issues or tasks. This can turn into a mental escape, which could make things more complicated. It is important to learn how to deal with situations in a more direct fashion.
NO MORE STUFF
Say No to stuff.
You will spend less, clean less, and stress less.
You will also have more freedom, be more productive, and get more enjoyment out of your life.
S Start small. Identify your hot spots and then plan regular decluttering sessions. Make the
project manageable by breaking it down into small chucks; one drawer, one closet or one
room at a time. This will help in creating momentum. Sort out your stuff into four categories;
keep, throw away, give away, or sell. If they are things in need of repair, get them fixed.
T Timer. Set a reasonable deadline; schedule fifteen minutes daily, one hour weekly, then
monthly and seasonal chores.
Afterwards, when the task is completed, you can look forward to a treat like like going to
a restaurant, or splurging on your favourite dessert (not by buying more things).
U Use help from a brutally honest friend who can help you sort through your stuff quickly.
There are also decluttering services offered in your area, along with many online sites or
books available to provide you with guidelines and assistance.
F Be firm. For every item, ask if you love it or use it. If not, lose it. For every new item entering
you home, make sure to get rid of one item. That way, you’ll never run the risk of outgrowing
your storage spaces.
F Find a home for everything as well as develop a regular system to maintain
things in their place.
When something doesn’t have a designated place, it will become clutter.
Once you get organized, it is important to stay organized.
This will save you a lot of time and energy.
If you start your day by making your bed and finish your day by putting things away, both of which can be done in under 15 minutes, you are on your way to taking control of your clutter. Otherwise, your clutter will take over you.
By minimizing your stuff, you will end up maximizing your life experience.
By reclaiming your space and freeing your mind, you will feel empowered.
By lightening your load, you will gain clarity and focus as you live a more peaceful and calmer life.
Simplify your life and create a harmonious environment in your home.
“Out of clutter, find simplicity.” Albert Einstein
Antoinette Giacobbe
