Is clutter overwhelming you? Find out why
Are you a clutterer? Does clutter figure in your life?
Do you worry about it?
Would you feel better to know there are types of clutter and once you have identified which plagues you, you can do something about it? READ ON!
Types of clutter
Most of us have a passion for things and often, maybe without knowing, we gravitate towards the same ‘genre’ of items
- Books
- Clothes
- Music
- Make-up and toiletries
- Photos
Now this type of collecting should not be confused with a hobby that requires you to gather things of the same type which are then catalogued and stored carefully. These varied interests may be shared with other enthusiasts like stamp collectors, train spotters or a particular design of china.
No, clutter is a collection that is untidy, messy and often consists of things that do not go together. It is not something you would share!
Places for clutter
The type of clutterer you are will depend on where your clutter can be found.
Floors – this is usually the domain of young folk who are too busy to even know that there is a container for much of what they leave on the floor. Many also have a mum who will pick it up eventually
Cupboards – the room may look tidy but is it safe to open to cupboards and drawers?
Surfaces – is there any space to put something down?
Tips for curing your clutter habit
So, you’ve accepted you need help and you have identifed the type of clutter you accumulate. Now for the cure. As with all things addictive, it will take time and although it would be nice to have the place tidy, this isn’t life threatening so don’t beat yourself up over it.
However, you might find some of the following useful:
- If you hoard magazines and papers, pass them onto someone else or put them in the recycle as soon as you have read them. Don’t put them down!
- If the item is hasn’t been needed for over a year throw it away!
- Clear up each week rather than waiting for an annual de-clutter. You may end up throwing too much out then and regret it.
- Have one space, ideally not too large, that you allow yourself to fill up. Once it’s full empty it!
I hope this light-hearted guide has given you food for thought. Do check out this fabulous infographic that details more types and cures.
What are your solutions for keeping the place tidy?
Not only messy people have clutter in their homes. We all have a tendency to buy too many things sometimes.
Clutter gets in the way of productivity, people waste so much time looking for things that they’ve lost
You are, as always, so right Mike!
I’m on a mission to clear out some of this clutter. Yesterday it was the cupboard where we store bedding. Horrified to discover we have 22 pillows and this for a house with two occupants only.
Goodness! That’s a great opportunity for ‘pillow talk’ then! 😉
An inspiration to get de-cluttering. You make it sound so simple. Thanks Julia.
The process is Shona but applying it can be VERY hard!
It’s tricky when you’re short of space!
It must be Gilly. Does that discourage you to acquire it in the first place?
I’m not as bad at home as I am at work, bizarrely. I have an unnatural attachment to paperwork.
You should visit my study Anna!
I’m always clearing clutter it just duplicates, but I’m am learning if I buy new clothes to put something in charity shop from my wardrobe. Dx
That’s a great idea Donna. I forget to take one out as I put one in but do use charity shops when I have a clear out.
We’re slap bang in the middle of a house move – boxes everywhere and have cleared out so much clutter we didn’t know we had it’s been really good. We’ve got so enthusiastic about throwing things out it might just be us and the clothes we stand up in that move. 🙂
That can be a result of ‘being strict’ Harmoney. It does give you an excuse to go shopping for replacements though!