Every week you spend hours cleaning and attempting to get organized. You tell yourself that if you could just stay organized the house would stay clean and you wouldn’t feel so overwhelmed. But you’re starting to wonder if it’s even possible. Despite numerous attempts, you’ve yet to find a strategy that works. I know this because this was me.
Here’s the thing, I learned the problem isn’t staying organized or finding a strategy that works, the problem is too much stuff.
If you’re in doubt, look at any organizing websites before and after photos. In each and every after photo, you’ll see significantly less stuff! Here is an example from BHG. A quick look and you can see how much stuff was removed in the after photos.
So if you want to finally get organized and eliminate overwhelm, then you need to start with removing the clutter. But that can be easier said than done. Let me tell you, I know decluttering is absolutely the hardest part of getting your home in order.
However, there is a simple trick to decluttering that makes it so much easier. Learning to get rid of clutter comes down to examining why you feel the need to hold on to so much stuff.
We all hold on to our stuff for different reasons and it’s rarely because we need it. The truth is that more often than not we’re holding on to our clutter for emotional reasons. Once you determine the real reason preventing you from decluttering, you can work through those emotional responses and finally let go of all that stuff weighing you down.
So let’s look at some of the most common reasons we have such a hard time letting go of excess clutter.
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1. Holding Onto Your Clutter Fills a Void
This type of emotional response is often automatic, we are not even aware of the thought, you just feel that void or anxiety when you think about getting rid of your clutter. The worse part is that this creates a cycle where shopping becomes a nice BREAK from that feeling and at the same time you’re adding to the clutter, thereby increasing your stress and anxiety.
Often that void feeling comes from the need to find comfort when life feels uncomfortable. The problem comes when we find that comfort in new clothes, house items, or other purchases. There is always this longing for comfort, even right now as you are reading this, you may be feeling underlying anxiety and distress.
To overcome this struggle, you need to find comfort within yourself. Realize that all of this extra stuff is not providing you the lasting comfort you desire. In fact, it is doing the opposite, it is robbing you of your time and energy. Know that you deserve so much more, more time to for things that you truly enjoy.
Take some time to really examine your life to determine whether your stuff, is filling a void. As you start decluttering, ask of every item:
- Do I love it?
- Is it something I need it?
- Do I use it?
- Does it fit with where I want my life to go?
You will be amazed at how the answer to these questions will help you eliminate a ton of your clutter.
2. Your Clutter Provides Security
There is a certain amount of security in our stuff. This was probably number one for me. I would rationalize that I might need it later, or what if I can’t afford to replace it. Of course, I would then store it away and forget I even owned it.
For me, this emotion came down to learning to trust the Lord to provide for my needs in the future. There is a point when you just have to take that leap of faith and trust. Whether you trust in the Lord, trust in yourself, or trust in those you love to be there when you have a need, your needs have been provided for all along, there is no reason to think they won’t be in the future.
Also, remember this key truth, instead of providing you the comfort of security, these unnecessary items are more likely to provide you with extra stress as they take your precious time to maintain, clean, and care for.
Do not hold onto stuff for the “what if’s” in life. Trust that if you really do need it in the future your needs will be provided for.
3. You Don’t Want to Waste Money
This was another big one for me. I really do not like wasting money. I get VERY upset with myself when I do. Wasting money causes me stress. Often making the choice to get rid of stuff that is still usable and in good condition would make me feel like I was wasting money so I would shove the item in a corner somewhere.
But here is the thing, I already spent the money, holding onto the item was not going to bring the money back. The damage was done.
In fact, by holding onto the unneeded items they are causing me to waste even more; more time, more energy, more storage space, and more money to care for and maintain the item.
At this point, you might as well just start decluttering those items and use it as a learning experience to be more careful in future purchases. Plus, some items may be worth the effort to sell and perhaps recover some of that money.
4. Sentimental Value
When you are decluttering, sentimental items is always the hardest category of things to deal with. In fact, I always recommend leaving this category for last.
There is a great article on how to deal with sentimental clutter over at Be More With Less. I love how she makes the point that our sentimental clutter keeps us lingering in the past, instead of being present in the moment we are in.
But I think perhaps the most important thing to remember is that if you love the item, if it adds value to your life and if you have the space for it, maybe it’s not clutter.
However, the problem arises when we attach sentimentality to nearly every item. When we attach sentimentality to everything, then nothing is special. Sometimes we just keep so much that we have no place to store the items. That is something only you can determine. I just don’t want you to feel like you need to get rid of your sentimental items for the purpose of getting rid of them. When it comes to sentimental items take it slowly, honor your memories.
Whether an item is truly sentimental and worth holding on to is something only you can determine. I just don’t want you to feel like you need to get rid of your sentimental items for the purpose of getting rid of them. When it comes to sentimental items take it slowly, honor your memories.
5. Decluttering Is Overwhelming
When your clutter is extensive just the idea of dealing with it can be overwhelming. This feeling of overwhelm creates stress and anxiety. Perhaps you open the garage door take one look and the task feels impossible. It is so much easier to just close the door, then to deal with those feelings.
Even if you are chipping away at the clutter, you can still get discouraged. Eliminating years of clutter takes time and it will take a while before you see and feel that big difference decluttering will bring.
But you have to keep going, it is so worth it, I promise.
If your clutter is so overwhelming that you can’t even seem to get started, well then you just need to start. Start with the easiest area. Pick the smallest drawer or cabinet. Just start! Focus on these practical tips to stay on track when decluttering gets hard!
Don’t let overwhelm stop you from taking action. Make an appointment on your calendar. Schedule regular times to declutter and you will get there. Here are some easy ways to stop being overwhelmed by your clutter.
Dealing with the emotional aspects of our clutter is tough. But the hardest part really and truly is starting. If you’ve started you’ve done the hardest part, now keep going. As the emotions come up in the decluttering process stop and examine what you are feeling. Determine whether the emotional attachments are valid reasons for hanging on to the items. If not, let them go.
You will feel so much better tackling your emotions and your clutter.
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