There are many reasons why people randomly collect things they don’t need. To create a clutter-free home, it helps to recognize the reasons why it builds up in the first place.
Be aware of your mental and emotional state. Our inner and external parts are forever attached. So, invisible inner clutter often leaks into our physical spaces.
Feeling overwhelmed
If you wait until you have everything lined up to start clearing the clutter, that day is not coming anytime soon. The clutter in your home is growing like the weeds in your garden, making you feel overwhelmed.
Trying to figure out where to start can trigger major procrastination, which leads to more clutter. Remember, you don't have to conquer it all at once. Start small and steady.
Obsessive accumulation
Are you buying more than you realistically use or need? Does a fear of shortage pressure your accumulation? Or perhaps shopping has become a form of expensive therapy to help you deal with unpleasant situations.
Some people might believe their stuff is safer than relationships with family and friends. Ask yourself a question. What is your payoff for keeping the stuff?
Scarceness mentality
Maybe you come from a background where you didn’t have much, which is rooted in a need to hold onto everything "just in case." The impact of events such as the Great Depression can be passed onto future generations. Our growing up environment deceitfully but effectively impacts our habits and beliefs.
Fear of moving forward
Letting go of the familiar way of life is scary, even if it is not working for us. We become experts in dealing with chaos and are not willing to explore the possibilities of a better life, so we hold onto stuff as a protection or reminder of a past life.
Try focusing on the freedom of letting go of what no longer serves you. This includes outdated beliefs, toxic relationships and bad habits.
Change in situation
Has your life changed drastically lately? Having a baby, getting married, retiring or an illness in the family can unconsciously steer you to clutter. Often, we're so busy dealing with the change itself that we don't adjust our belongings appropriately. A quick assessment of how the change has impacted your space can point you toward helpful solutions.
Perfectionist tendencies
Do you visualize your home to be a replica of Martha Stewart's glossy magazine? Fear of not getting it "right" can prevent you from even starting, or lead to unfinished projects. The pursuit of perfection can keep you in limbo for ages.
Try shifting your focus to function first. Give yourself permission to experiment and learn without the pressure of immediate excellence.
Consider bringing these hidden obstacles to your attention as the crucial first step toward a clutter-free life. Once you understand the roots of your clutter, you can begin the process of slowly uprooting it. As you do, you will soon see the potential of a functional and beautiful home.
Transformational life coach Ranka Burzan owns a professional organizing company in the qathet region and has written several books on reducing clutter. For more information, email [email protected].
Join the Peak's email list for the top headlines right in your inbox Monday to Friday.
