Living in a cluttered home is a reality for many, often leading to feelings of chaos and dissatisfaction. But to truly address this issue, we must first understand its origins. Why do we accumulate things we don’t need, and how does clutter silently creep into our lives? In this post, we’ll delve deep into the underlying causes of clutter and provide actionable steps to not only declutter but also to maintain a harmonious living space.
What is Clutter?
Before we dive into the root cause of clutter and how to declutter your home effectively, let’s first define what clutter is.
clutter, n.
A collected mass, a collection; a crowded and confused assemblage.
Clutter is a collection of things lying around in an untidy mess. It can be anything that you don’t use, need, or love, but still keep in your home.
There’s more than one type of clutter! Clutter can also be digital, such as emails, files, photos, or apps that you don’t organize or delete. Clutter can even be mental, such as thoughts, worries, or emotions that you don’t process or express.
Clutter can have different causes and effects for different people. Some people may find clutter stimulating, creative, or comforting. Others may find clutter stressful, distracting, or depressing. The key is to find the right balance of stuff and space that works for you and your lifestyle.
What is the Root Cause of Clutter?
The root cause of clutter is typically an imbalance between the amount of stuff and the available space to store it. Clutter happens when people have too much stuff and not enough storage space, so they resort to spreading their things out all around their living environment.
But why do people have too much stuff in the first place? There are several possible reasons, such as:
Emotional Attachment
Some people keep things for sentimental reasons, such as memories, nostalgia, or guilt. They may have trouble letting go of items that remind them of someone or something they love or lost — I struggled with this until I started taking pictures of everything before donating, so I’ll always remember it.
Fear of Scarcity
Some people hoard things for fear of running out of them in the future. They may think that they will need something someday, even if they haven’t used it in years. They may also buy things in bulk or on impulse to take advantage of deals or discounts — I do this too because I think it’ll save me money by not buying it again, or something similar, in the future. I know there’s people out there that save boxes just like me! I see you!
Lack of Organization
Some people have poor organizational skills or habits. They may not have a system for sorting, storing, or disposing of their belongings. They may also procrastinate or avoid dealing with their clutter because they feel overwhelmed or don’t know where to start— This is also me. When there is too much, I get too overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. So, I do nothing.
Personality Traits
Some people have personality traits that make them more prone to clutter. For example, some people are more creative, spontaneous, or adventurous, and they like to collect and display various items that reflect their interests and passions. Others are more perfectionist, indecisive, or anxious, and they struggle to make decisions or take action on their clutter.
Avoidance
When it comes to mail or email, I think leaving that a mess or unattended to is a symptom of avoidance. I know for me, I know what’s inside so I put off looking at the piles of papers instead of handling it right then and there. And, I’m sure for some it causes even more anxiety, depression, or possibly shame so they avoid it altogether. I saw an example of this on a finance show I was watching and the couple had close to a year full of paperwork and bills sitting on their kitchen counters and dining room table that had never been opened!
Are ADHD and OCD root causes of clutter?
No. ADHD and OCD are not necessarily the culprit of too much clutter, but they can be related to it. ADHD and OCD are both neurodevelopmental disorders that affect the way people think, feel, and behave. They can also influence how people manage their stuff and their space.
People with ADHD may have trouble with organization, planning, and prioritization. They may struggle to focus on tasks, follow routines, or remember where they put things. They may also be impulsive and buy things they don’t need or use. These factors can contribute to clutter and disorganization in their environment.
People with OCD may have intrusive thoughts, impulses, or images that cause them anxiety or distress. They may also have compulsive behaviors that they feel the need to perform to reduce their anxiety or prevent something bad from happening. Some people with OCD may have a subtype called hoarding disorder, which involves excessive accumulation of items that are not needed or used, and difficulty discarding them.
However, not all people with ADHD or OCD have clutter problems, and not all people with clutter problems have ADHD or OCD. Therefore, it’s important to understand the individual reasons behind clutter and address them accordingly.
If you feel that one of these issues may be keeping you from a clutter-free home, you may want to speak with your doctor, a therapist, or a psychologist. A mental health professional can help you with techniques and tools to help you achieve your long term goals around clutter.
The Consequences of Living with Clutter
Clutter is not only an aesthetic issue, but also a health hazard. Living with clutter can have serious consequences for your physical and mental well-being. Some of the negative effects of clutter are:
- Increased stress levels: Clutter can make you feel anxious, overwhelmed, and frustrated. It can also trigger the release of cortisol, a stress hormone that can affect your mood, sleep, and immune system. Clutter can also interfere with your ability to relax and recharge at home.
- Distraction: Clutter can distract you from your tasks and goals. It can reduce your attention span and impair your memory and cognitive function. Clutter can also make it harder for you to find what you need and waste your time and energy.
- Procrastination: Clutter can make you feel demotivated and avoidant. It can prevent you from taking action on your clutter or other important matters in your life. It can also make you feel guilty and ashamed of your situation.
- Relationship problems: Clutter can affect your social life and intimacy. It can make you embarrassed to invite people over or isolate yourself from others. It can also cause conflicts with your family or partner over the state of your home or the amount of stuff you own.
- Health risks: Clutter can pose a threat to your physical health. It can create fire hazards, attract pests, and accumulate dust, mold, and allergens that can trigger allergies or asthma. It can also increase the risk of injuries from tripping or falling over objects.
As you can see, clutter is not something to be ignored or tolerated. It can have a significant impact on your quality of life and happiness.
That’s why it’s important to address the root cause of clutter and learn how to declutter your home effectively. In the following sections, we will show you how to do that.
How to Declutter Your Home Effectively
Now that you know some of the possible causes of clutter, how can you tackle it and create a more organized and tidy home?
Here are some tips to help you declutter your home effectively:
- Start small: Don’t try to declutter your entire home in one go. That can be overwhelming and discouraging. Instead, start with a small area, such as a drawer, a shelf, or a corner. Set a timer for 15 minutes and focus on one task at a time. This really does help get you going!
- Sort your items into categories: As you go through your stuff, sort them into four categories: keep, donate, sell, or trash. Keep only the items that you love, use, or need. Donate or sell the items that are in good condition but you don’t want or need anymore. Trash the items that are broken, damaged, or expired.
- Use the one-in-one-out rule: To prevent clutter from building up again, follow the one-in-one-out rule. This means that every time you bring something new into your home, you get rid of something old. This way, you maintain a balance between your stuff and your space. I try to make my kids do this one too!
- Create storage solutions: Once you have decluttered your stuff, you need to find a place for everything that you keep. Use storage solutions that suit your needs and preferences, such as boxes, baskets, bins, shelves, hooks, labels, etc. Make sure that your storage solutions are easy to access and maintain.
- Develop good habits: Decluttering is not a one-time event. It’s an ongoing process that requires good habits. Make it a habit to put things back where they belong after using them. Make it a habit to review your stuff regularly and get rid of anything that you don’t use or need anymore. Make it a habit to appreciate and enjoy your clutter-free home.
Unfortunately, this really is an on-going process because, at least for me, I keep accumulating more stuff after I declutter and donate all of my stuff. So, even though I’ve gotten way better about purging, I just have to do it all over again in another few months!
Quick Tips For Managing Other Types of Clutter
Some tips that you could add about managing digital and mental clutter are:
- For digital clutter, use a cloud-based service or an external hard drive to backup your important files and photos. This way, you can free up space on your devices and access your data anytime and anywhere.
- For mental clutter, practice mindfulness meditation regularly. Mindfulness meditation is a technique that helps you focus on the present moment and let go of distracting thoughts and emotions. It can improve your mental clarity, reduce stress, and enhance your well-being. I really like the Headspace app on my phone. It’s perfect for those who have never done it before!
- For both digital and mental clutter, set boundaries and limits for your screen time. Too much exposure to digital devices can overload your senses, disrupt your sleep, and affect your mood. Try to limit your screen time to a few hours a day, especially before bedtime. You can also use apps or settings that block or limit certain websites or notifications that distract you or cause you anxiety.
Conclusion
Clearing the clutter from our homes is about more than just aesthetics; it’s about creating a peaceful, functional environment where we can thrive. By pinpointing the reasons behind the clutter and implementing the practical strategies shared, you can embark on a transformative journey towards a neater, more organized home. We invite you to use this guide as a roadmap to reclaim your space and achieve the serenity that comes with a clutter-free environment.
Your feedback and experiences are invaluable to us, so don’t hesitate to share your thoughts in the comments below.