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The “Whys” of Clutter
So, you know your life is full of clutter — things you don’t
need, things you don’t necessarily want, and way more than
you’ll actually use. But where the heck did all this stuff come
from?
It might be hard to pinpoint the exact moment when clutter
invaded and took over your life. Maybe you grew up in a
cluttered household, so living with an overabundance of “things”
has always felt natural. Or perhaps clutter is just beginning to
form. (In which case, it's time to nip it in the bud!)
Why are some people more prone to clutter than others? Following
are a few reasons. If you see yourself in any of these
scenarios, take heart. By recognizing what leads you to
accumulate clutter you can make the transition to a clutter-free
life.
You inherited it from your parents: If your parents were
packrats, you can thank them for your love of abundance. And as
you continue your life full of clutter, consider the fate you
are dealing your loved ones if you don’t attempt to change. Your
children might continue the cycle of clutter, or you may drive
your mate and friends crazy.
You might need it “someday”: Back in the days of the Great
Depression and the World Wars, people justifiably saved just
about everything because of scarcity and rationing. However, in
this day and age, there is no reason to continue this thought
pattern. Thinking something will come in handy “one day” is NOT
reason enough to keep it. By letting go, you’ll find that most
of the time you’ll never need those things again. And if you do,
you’ll likely find similar (or better) things to replace them.
Clutter is part of your identity: Is your identity somehow
related to your possessions? Or, are you overly sentimental
about your things? Remember that even if you get rid of the
clutter, you still have the great memories associated with
specific items. Allow yourself to release unloved or unuseful
gifts from well-meaning friends and family. You are not throwing
away your friends’ kindness or love; you are simply releasing
the unneeded items to make room for the things that matter most
to you.
You’re bombarded by “more is better” reasoning by marketers: Do
catalogs invade your mailbox? Are companies constantly trying to
sell you the newest do-hickey, clothing, or home decor? Look
around your kitchen and count your small appliances and gadgets.
Most likely, they simply add clutter to your life, taking up
space. Next time the urge to buy grabs you, ask yourself if it
will REALLY make your life better.
Clutter fills a void in your life: Clutter can help to hide
loneliness, anger, fear, and other important emotions. It fills
time and space and keeps you focused on things other than your
problems. When you free the clutter, you’ll free yourself to
deal with the real issues around you. It may be tough at first,
but the rewards are endless. Similarly, some people want to hide
in their clutter. They use an abundance of “stuff” to hide or
shelter themselves from the outside world. A good way to start
getting back into the swing of life is to declutter just one
room. You’ll still be able to retreat to your safe place, but
the lack of clutter will begin to feel freeing rather than
terrifying.
Of course, you may not see yourself in any of the above
scenarios. Perhaps you’ve simply accumulated a little clutter in
your life due to a shortage of time, too many work or family
demands, or a lack of organizing skills. This is perfectly
normal. Not everyone who defines her life as “cluttered” will
fit into the above scenarios. But for those who know that
clutter is seriously affecting their lives, the above reasons
may help define the source and allow them
to start the decluttering process.
Whatever the reasons you’ve accumulated clutter, once you
recognize them, you can move forward and begin your new life.
© 2006 Articles on Demand™
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