Simply put, clutter is anything in your home that is not used. Most of the time, clutter lays around your home or is stashed away in a drawer, shed, or garage. Clutter is what we have held on for so long that it starts to become normal and a nuisance all at the same time. Once you’ve lived with clutter for some time, you might say, “I hate it, but that’s just the way it is…”
But it’s not the way it has to be!
Clutter…
COSTS MONEY
TAKES UP TIME
TAKES UP SPACE
CAUSES STRESS
First, clutter costs money.
Having extra things in your home can make it difficult to find the things you need and use often. It can cause you to run to the store for more tape when you KNOW you bought tape just a couple weeks ago! It can even cause you to pay monthly for a storage unit to keep all those things! Clutter can become expensive.
Second, managing clutter takes up valuable time.
You might have to shuffle things from here to there, shove it in drawers, and dig through it to find the things you need. The time it takes to manage clutter really adds up!
Next, (and this one is obvious) clutter takes up valuable space!
If you’re feeling a strain on space in your home, instead of building another shed or renting out a storage unit, try getting rid of the clutter first! You might be surprised to find that it’s not a “lack of storage problem” at all, but an “excess of clutter problem”. If we minimize clutter, we free up space for things we use!
Finally, clutter is stressful.
Coming home to counter tops, beds and floors full of clutter is not the most relaxing thing in the world. Not only does it take up physical space, it takes up mental space, often causing anxiety and stress. If you are feeling stressed lately, look around your home. It might be the clutter that is playing a role in that.
I’m done with the clutter in my home. What do I do?
If you’re fed up with the clutter, I challenge you to be ruthless. Walk through your home and take control. Box up anything you haven’t used within the last year or so and say goodbye forever. Remember, the less you keep, the less you will have to maintain later!
One thing to note is that decluttering is an ongoing process. It’s not something you can do once and be set. Clutter makes its way into our homes so easily and quickly! To keep up with it, I would suggest monthly walk-throughs of your home with a box and trash bag. Box up items you would like to donate and throw away any trash you find. In my own home we stay pretty minimal, but it’s always shocking how much we are able to get rid of every month!
Once you have a box of donations (No matter how small), take them to your car, and better yet, donate them that day! Moving clutter to a box that will stay in your house for the next year is not finishing the job. Get the clutter out and give to your local charity as soon as possible.
If any of this sounds overwhelming, I don’t blame you! It can feel all-consuming and impossible at times. If things have gotten out of hand, I would love to help. I can get you down to the basics and free up physical and mental space for you and your family! Take your home back by cutting out the clutter!
