The 7 Reasons Clutter Accumulates and How to Take Control and Get Organized
The cause of clutter are predictable. By being proactive, a clutter free environment can be created and maintained.
Clutter is a growing problem in households everywhere. From the extremes presented in TV shows like A&E's "Hoarders" and TLC's "Help! I'm a Hoarder" to everyday messes,
and everything in between, this problem can have a huge negative impact on daily living. The good news is that the causes are easily identifiable and there are tried and true ways to deal with them. Here are the 7 reasons that clutter accumulates and what to do about each one:
Bringing Too Much Into the Home: Buying more than is needed without considering storage space restrictions will create clutter. Before buying something new, consider where it will be stored. If there isn't any space, switch something out to create a home for the new item.
No Organizing Routine: Organizing, like housework, is never finished. It requires constant maintenance to be effective over time. Get into the habit of putting things back in their place after use and implement new organizing solutions as your needs evolve.
Failure to Declutter: Remove garbage several times a day and get rid of broken, worn out and damaged items immediately. Use the one year rule -i.e., if it hasn't been used in a year, then it's probably not needed - to help you decide what to keep and what to get rid of.
Attaching Emotions to Things: Decluttering can cause feelings of sentimentality, guilt, sadness, and denial to arise. Get leverage to overcome this road block by considering what you stand to gain by becoming organized and what you stand to lose by maintaining the status quo. In extreme cases, as for Hoarders, professional counselling may be needed to deal with these feelings.
Insufficient Storage Space. The solutions to this problem are to get rid of unnecessary things and/or utilize additional storage options.
Not Creating a Home for Everything. Stuff that doesn't have an assigned storage space tends to end up where it doesn't belong. Create a place for everything and put everything in it's place.
Ineffective Storage Solutions. To keep clutter at bay for the long term, it's essential to choose appropriate solutions for what is being stored. Match belongings with storage alternatives according to their size and shape, frequency of use, and where they are used. If a particular choice doesn't work over time, rethink it. By implementing these solutions, clutter can be conquered once and for all. The resultant space will be functional and easy to maintain.
