Most people collect clutter one way or another, even when they don’t plan to. It’s easy to stop paying attention to what comes into the house until it’s bursting at the seams. Because a cluttered home is distracting and stressful, it’s important to get organized and remain vigilant in clutter control.
Keep Clutter Out
Most people could avoid much of their clutter problem by preventing the clutter from ever entering their houses. This is easier said than done, but an important step. When making purchases, it’s important to make sure it’s a quality item that will be used multiple times.
Sales and inexpensive items are difficult to say no to, but just because something is cheaper than usual doesn’t mean it’s worth owning. The same can be said about freebies. Free items have no dollar amount attached to them, but they do have a mental and emotional cost once they become clutter. The best way to be clutter free is to avoid bringing an item home unless it’s needed and wanted.
The Emotional Side of Clutter Control
Clutter is an emotional issue for many people. They feel very attached to their things and don’t want to think about limiting their things. Some people have vast collections that gather dust and cause clutter, but they aren’t willing to stop collecting. It is worth the time it takes to examine motives and discover what is going on emotionally. Once a person gets to the root of why they are attached to things, they can begin to gain control of the clutter in their home.
Another reason that clutter can be emotional is because many of the items that clutter up a home are gifts, and nobody wishes to make the gift-giver feel bad by throwing out something generously given. The best way to avoid gift clutter is to ask family to cut down on gift-giving or to suggest alternative gifts, such as museum passes, a class, or food items.
Some people feel guilty throwing out old or unused items because it would be a waste. The truth is, it is already a waste as soon as it becomes an unused item. Throwing it out doesn’t change anything. And many unused items can benefit someone else if they are donated to a thrift store or charity.
The main secret to becoming clutter free is to be vigilant in clutter control. There is no magic formula; it just involves being mindful of what comes into the home and working out the emotional issues associated with clutter. With effort, any home can become organized and clutter free.
Holli Jo Ronquillo - Holli Jo Ronquillo is a freelance writer and editor who has been writing professionally for several years. Her work has appeared in The ...
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