You know where your clutter lurks. And even if it’s not visible, too much clutter might be causing you stress. Reasons why we clutter vary from person to person. But regardless of what causes a person to clutter, there are some universal solutions to help you motivate yourself to declutter your house. Here are 12 common reasons why we clutter and what to do about it.
What to Do About It
Determine and abide by your own clutter meaning. Here are some questions to ask to help define what clutter is to you:
Do you find the item useful right now?Do you find the item beautiful to look at?Are you willing to repair it right now if it’s broken?Will you feel guilty tossing or donating the item and why?Is this an item that simply needs to be properly stored?
What to Do About It
How long you keep something differs based on the item.
Clothing that’s out of style, worn, faded, or ill-fitting is a likely clutter candidate to toss or denote. Sentimental items and gifts don’t have a predetermined shelf life. So try handing down sentimental items and gifts if you don’t find use or value in them. When it comes to paper, make sure you know how long you need to keep documents, such as tax papers, and when it’s OK to shred them.
What to Do About It
Learning how to store things properly will help the decluttering process.
Purchase storage containers and organizers to fit your specific items. Don’t just purchase something because it has a lot of storage space; it needs to have the right space for your needs. Consider labeling or color-coordinating storage solutions.
What to Do About It
Establishing a quick routine to organize and declutter your house is easier than you might think. And once you have your routine down, you’ll be on autopilot when it comes to staying clutter-free. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Do a daily clutter sweep (about 15 minutes) throughout your house. Have a weekly routine, including meal planning and cleaning your house room by room throughout the week. Plan on a deeper cleaning monthly.
What to Do About It
Trays, bins, baskets, jars, and hooks are all excellent tweaks to corral everyday clutter.
Place small containers where they’re needed to group like items, so they’re easy to find. For example, gather strewn mail on one tray, remotes in a basket, and small toiletries on a tray.Make sure everyone in your household follows the organization system, as small items can become scattered and turn back into clutter quickly.
What to Do About It
We all have individual reasons for why we clutter, and that’s what we need to focus on.
Stop comparing your space to another person’s. That’s likely just going to give you misguided views about their organization habits. Figure out what motivates you to stay organized. Maybe you enjoy how relaxed you feel in an organized space or how easy it is to find things. Use that feeling as encouragement to keep up with your decluttering routine.
What to Do About It
Two thought patterns can help you curb this problem:
If you don’t have an immediate idea of how to use a sale item or whom to give it to as a gift, then don’t take it home.If you’re stockpiling items you will ultimately use, plan out how long the items will last you to determine how much to buy. Also, pick exactly where you’ll store them, and avoid going beyond that designated storage space.
What to Do About It
Accept that you’ll feel many emotions going through the items and parting with them. These tips can help ease the process:
Set a goal (time and date) to tackle a box of sentimental items.Take it slowly when sorting, so you don’t feel rushed or overwhelmed.Pass items down to family and friends.Donate items to a charity that’s meaningful to you.Choose a limited amount of items for display.
What to Do About It
You can always give away or donate unwanted hobby items to prevent them from cluttering your home. Or you can ease into purchasing them.
If you want to try something new, buy the bare minimum of items or rent them if possible. For instance, sometimes you can rent sporting equipment until you decide it’s worth purchasing your own. Consider giving it a few months to see whether your hobby becomes a regular part of your life. As a bonus, by then you’ll have a better idea of what you’ll actually need for your hobby versus when you were a complete novice.
What to Do About It
Not only do you have to fit the items you want to store in your storage devices, but you also have to consider your living space.
When shopping for a storage solution, always bring a tape measure. Know the measurements of the room where the storage solution will go. And consider whether you plan to move or rearrange your home in the near future.
What to Do About It
Decluttering and setting up an organization system isn’t just a one-time affair. Over time, your tastes and needs will change. And items you never would have parted with in the past might now be clutter to you.
Consider setting a decluttering date (or week) for your home on your calendar for at least twice a year. During that time, take inventory of your clothes, toys, and any other items that you or family members might have outgrown. Sort them into keep, sell, and donate piles.
What to Do About It
The key is to acknowledge when you’re procrastinating part of a project, and then write it down as a priority on your daily to-do list.
Whenever you start a project, finish it completely before you move on to something new. For example, if you’ve sorted clothes into a bag to donate, take them immediately to drop off at a donation center. If you need extra motivation, do any necessary-but-not-fun part of a project before the satisfying part. For instance, drop off your clothing donations before returning your newly sorted clothes back to your closet and drawers.
