5 Post-Pandemic Fears Contributing To Your Clutter (and how to overcome them)

Today, I want to look at 5 post-pandemic fears contributing to your clutter and show you how to overcome them.

The pandemic has caused a lot of disruption to our daily lives. While we may have moved into an endemic stage, the post-pandemic fears continue. Many of those fears are increasing the clutter in your home, which in turn creates ongoing stress in your life.

There’s no question the past couple of years has been rough on all of us to some extent. We’ve been living in the midst of a pandemic that has us on a continuous roller coaster of rising and declining case numbers. Inflation is at an all-time high. We are weathering severe supply chain issues. Gas prices are setting record daily highs. Baby formula shortages are causing increasing panic in young parents. There is international war is capturing our attention, and on and on it goes.

There really is no wonder we’ve gotten to the point we have. We are hoarding and holding on to things in a way we haven’t since the great depression.

In a book by James Pooler “Why We Shop, Emotional Rewards and Retail Strategies”  he explains that we buy things to reward ourselves, to satisfy psychological needs, or to make ourselves feel good.

However, the pandemic amped up our shopping habits setting retail records. Now post-pandemic fears have us holding on to things at an alarming rate, putting the cost of clutter on steroids. The result is these post-pandemic fears are contributing to your clutter which only magnifies the stress you are feeling.

How Postpandemic Fears Are Contributing to Your Clutter

I recently shared this quote on Facebook. The comments received on the post surprised me. It made me realize how the pandemic is continuing to play a big role in increasing the clutter in our homes.

Before we look at what these fears are, how they are contributing to your clutter and how you can overcome them, I want to give a caveat. I am not talking about food or other necessities here. I keep food and necessities stocked too but within reason.

However, post-pandemic life is creating a sense of the need to conserve, to hold onto items “just in case” and this general Depression-era mentality,

1. The Need To Conserve

Those who lived through the great depression and the following World War ll had a natural tendency to hold on to things. There is little doubt they saved things “just in case”.

However, it’s important to realize that they did not have nearly as much in their homes as we do today. Things were kept and repurposed out of necessity. In today’s modern world we have much more than we need.

Yet, we are allowing post-pandemic fears to keep our homes in a cluttered mess.

For example, one comment made on that Facebook post read:

“I disagree with this… there was a time I would have agreed but the last 2 years have shown myself and many others that things you will use at some point should be kept because, supply chains, worldwide pandemics, inflation etc”

Another person commented:

“Clearly this was posted pre pandemic”

I think that last comment sums it up. The pandemic created this general fear that we must conserve everything we own just in case.

While yes conserving is a good idea, are you really going to wear those items in your closet that you currently don’t wear? If you’re being honest with yourself the answer is no.

The same is true for the old sports equipment the kids have outgrown, supplies for the hobby you no longer enjoy or the broken vacuum cleaner that’s been in the garage for 6 years because you planned to repair it one day.

Remember this is not related to food or necessities. It’s always good to be prepared and stocking up within reason is okay. Just make sure you are rotating and or donating items before their expiration dates.

On the other hand, feeling the need to conserve everything “just in case” keeps your home and life a cluttered mess. The end result is that it creates even more stress.

The best way to combat this is to donate your excess to others in need. Doing so will make you feel good and in control of your circumstances.

2. Pandemic Shortages

Look I get it, the pandemic shortages were crazy. That picture above is actual texts I was sending my family while at the grocery store at the very start of the pandemic. This was before I was even aware there was a shortage. Seeing those empty shelves was a shock. It was something I had never experienced before.

As the shortages went on and everyone started hoarding toilet paper I remember having to pay $5.00 for a package of four small rolls of toilet paper. At the same time, I was thankful I was able to get any.

All that to say I get having a harder time decluttering some things post-pandemic. Fear of repeating those types of shortages takes a while to subside.

However, the problem arises when we let these fears overtake reason and hold on to things we know we don’t need or will use. All this does is increase the stress in our life. After all, it is well documented that increased clutter increases our stress. 

Again, it is perfectly okay to have a reasonable stockpile of some basic necessities that you regularly rotate out. Or keep a few extras in case of an emergency.

But having 10 pairs of scissors, 56 coffee mugs, and 5 potato peelers because you’re afraid you won’t be able to replace them is exactly how the post-pandemic fears are contributing to your clutter and not your well being. 

3. Increasing Inflation

Inflation is increasing, and the cost of goods and services is rising on what feels like a daily basis. There is no doubt about it. With the current inflation status stocking up on a few sale items is wise stewardship of your resources.

Having said that, holding on to things you do not use or love is not wise. You have to remember everything you own costs something in terms of maintaining, storing, and caring for that item.

Keeping a stash of 10 wooden spoons, or holding on to old jeans that no longer fit, just in case your daughter could use them one day when they are completely out of style, is not going to help overcome your inflation woes. On the contrary, holding on to stuff unnecessarily only increases your burden because it complicates life.

I get that this is a hard mindset shift when you don’t have enough money to replace or buy those items if or when needed. However, joining a local Buy Nothing Group is a great way to have a “safety net” and let go!!!

Clearing things out will actually help you feel much lighter. It also allows you to bless others who could actually use those items now.

4. Supply Chain Issues

Another comment received on that Facebook post talked about how the current supply chain issues and rising costs mean we need to keep things because we might need them one day. The thinking is this makes “just in case” a good idea to hold onto all we have.

Chances are better than not that you have items you haven’t used or worn for ages in your home. I understand being afraid that maybe you’ll have to buy it again or even do without it, making life difficult.

However, when you consider how the benefit of having less stuff, far outweighs the inconvenience of having decluttered something you might later have to make do without, there is no rational reason to hang onto “just in case” clutter.

Please remember I am not talking about food and necessities here. Be honest with yourself, your home is not overflowing with clutter because you have too much food or other necessities. (Although it is possible to over stockpile here and end up having to get rid of pantry items due to expiration dates).

It’s mostly about all that stuff that’s cluttering up your home but isn’t making you happy or adding value to your life.

The truth is, most of us own way more than what we need or are necessary. Retailers are good at their jobs they know how to convince us that we “need” what they are offering. Yet, our homes are filled with things we barely use, if at all.

Holding onto these items because of supply chain issues is giving into the post-pandemic fears contributing to your clutter.

5. Worsening Economy

As interest rates rise, it can feel like tough times are ahead. You begin to think that the random things cluttering your home may come in handy. It’s a general mentality of “It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it”. 

However, this thinking is how the post-pandemic fears contributing to your clutter are able to take a stronghold. 

Once again, I am not talking about food and necessities here. There is wisdom in being prepared. However, hoarding and keeping things you don’t need is not wise and costs you more in the long run. 

A worsening economy requires developing more intentional shopping habits. Being intentional with your shopping will help you realize the difference between a want and a need. You may actually even save money as you focus on eliminating unnecessary purchases. 

This means, that not being able to order what you want right away can be a benefit in disguise. This is a wonderful opportunity to reprioritize your finances and simplify your life while saving more money.

The key is to realize that the stuff you own is only as valuable as it is useful.

Post-pandemic Decluttering Fear Is a Real Thing

The vast majority of us have some type of emotional attachment to our belongings. While some of those things are sentimental because they hold special memories, by far, most of the things we hold on to represent “just in case” stuff. The stuff we don’t really use or love but are afraid to get rid of just in case we need it someday.

And post-pandemic fears have us holding on tighter than ever. Often times it is that fear that keeps us stuck in clutter.

It’s time to look at your fears about getting rid of the excess in your home. Is that fear rational? Would not having that item really create a life-altering event?

If we are not careful, fear can hold us back from a lot of wonderful possibilities. Look it’s okay to have some “just in case” clutter. What’s not okay is letting it hold you back from creating a home and life you love. Eliminating excess clutter is one of the best things you can do to improve your life today.

Stop Post-pandemic Fears Contributing to Your Clutter

It’s during these hard times our homes matter more than ever. We need a place to go to that is a safe refuge from the stressors of the outside world.

Having a clutter-free home provides that. It allows us to reduce stress in our home, and create space for the things that matter most.

In a recent National Geographic article,  it was shown that “…some people’s brains react subconsciously to mere images of order and organization. Tidy images give many viewers a sense of calm. But when clutter reigns supreme, it can trigger one’s fight-or-flight mode. For many people, cortisol levels leap, and they become emotionally exhausted or burnt out more quickly. This heady emotional stew can even affect our relationships.”

The pandemic has taught us that the value of our dollars, supply chains, and the costs of goods and services can all change overnight. But what remains stable is our love for the people in our lives. It is those people and a simplified life that will help you get through the tough time.

Using our resources to help others rather than hoarding things we don’t use or love just in case is the best cure to prevent post-pandemic fears from contributing to your clutter.