If you’re surrounded by clutter then it’s likely you’ve fallen for some sneaky little myths.
Banish them!
Here’s a healthy dose of reality to help with your myth-busting.
Myth #1: I Need Storage Systems So I Can Declutter
Reality
Storage systems and containers can be a trap. Because they’re related to organizing, they trick you into feeling virtuous while actually adding to the quantity of stuff in your life. They’re often ugly, generally add work by collecting dust, and almost always mask the fact that you have way more stuff than you need. Only now it’s located in dusty, ugly containers. Just get rid of the stuff and save your money.
Myth #2: I Can’t Get Rid Of Anything I May Need One Day
Reality
Yes you might declutter something and then later want it – that part is true. But the implied myth is that you’ll somehow fall apart if that happens. Guess what – you won’t. You’ll have to buy it again – a small expense compared to the sanity of getting rid of chaos and clutter. Or you’ll do without it – again, a minor inconvenience compared to a clutter-free life. Either way, you’ll be absolutely fine.
Myth #3: All My Clutter Must Go To The Perfect Place
Reality
If you’re drowning in stuff and it’s costing you happy relationships and mental and physical health, then the perfect place for your clutter is anywhere outside your life. If your stuff is worth money, and you can be bothered listing it online or organizing a garage sale, then do that. (I can’t be bothered so this is never an option for me.) If your stuff is in good condition then take it to your local charity store. But if you’re struggling and all you can manage is to toss it out, then do that. Next time you’ll do better.
Myth #4: One Day I’ll Fix It/Fit Into It/Want To Use It
Reality
Life is busy and you’ll probably never fix it. If you lose weight you can treat yourself to cute new outfits that are fresh and modern. If you haven’t wanted to use it for ages then you’ve likely moved on. And anyway, see Myth #2 above. Seriously, life it short. Let it all go, be happy, move on. You’ll be glad you did.
Myth #5: I Have To Keep It Because It Was A Gift
Reality
For most givers it’s the giving, not the gift, that matters. People give you a thing to represent that they like you. Appreciate the liking, but don’t feel pressured to keep the thing. If you don’t love it and won’t wear/use/enjoy it, then let go of unloved gifts.
Myth #6: I Need It To Stay Connected To The Past
Reality
For the mementos and keepsakes that have most meaning, or best represent your memories, create memory boxes. Their limited size means you’ll have to keep curating the most precious items if you want to add more. For other stuff, recognize that you may be letting your past crowd out your present. Choose to embrace today and let the past have a special, but not overwhelming, place in your ilife.
Myth #7: I Need To Be Organized Before I Can Declutter
Reality
It’s far easier to get organized and stay organized when you have less stuff. Decluttering is always the first action step (though there are sometimes mindset steps that come before) in my home organizing programs. One you’ve gotten rid of what you don’t need, you have more space for organizing the things you decide to keep. And more space makes organizing more enjoyable and easy.
Are You Ready To Bust Your Myths And Declutter Your Life?
Which of these myths have kept you stuck in clutter?
Are you ready to bust them and get rid of clutter?
Not sure where to start? Start here.
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Excellent advice Michele!!!
I need to print and hang it around my neck!
Haha SueAnne an excellent necklace!
I find that there’s a myth #8 that holds back just about everyone I know, including myself.
That’s I have to have a whole day, or a whole weekend, or a whole block of dedicated organizing time in order to get organized.
That’s funny when I can really only handle limited amounts of physical activity outside of my paid work. When I figured out that decluttering starts with the next 5, 10, 15, 20, or 30 minutes, that’s when I made progress.
That’s a fantastic point, Lori!
(And it’s exactly why every one of my programs is based on small chunks of 5, 10, 30 or 60 minute blocks.)
Hah! Myth #2 really hits home — my place is so cluttered that I can’t even locate the things I saved and purchase another to replace the thing that’s here…somewhere. I need less stuff.
LOL Kate – yes it sounds like you really do!
Myth number 5 is SO me. I keep everything on the off chance that the giver will come to my house and look for the gift they gave me five years ago and wonder why I don’t use it. :-/
Myth number 5 is SO me. I keep everything on the off chance that the giver will come to my house and look for the gift they gave me five years ago and wonder why I don’t use it. :-/
I know you’re joking Mare but if that were to happen then you could say something like, ‘I loved that!’ (Which you probably did, because we all love getting gifts.) If they pushed the issue, (unlikely unless they’re psychotic, in which case you have more pressing concerns), then you could say something like, ‘I love that you got me such a thoughtful/sweet/whatever gift but it really wasn’t me.’
I figure that stuff I giv ppl may sometimes get chucked out too… So not something you should sweat over. Then again, I hate clutter & have a very minimalist style to my home. My basic rule is to not add to the stuff I have, instead I chuck out old before i replace with new
I find tiredness and fatigue the maun cause of why I’m stuck in the mess of clutter.
Enjoyed these ideas …will certainly be using some of them …thank you
Then I guess that’s where you have to start, Therese. Are you a 52 Weight Loss Missions customer? If so you might find Mission 31 helpful
http://52wlm.com/mission-31/
As someone with a chronic illness, I understand this. I actually found that starting to declutter, 5 minutes at a time, helped me increase my energy levels. After two weeks of doing 5 minutes 3 times a day, I found I could do 10 minutes 2 times a day, and so on and so on.
I now can manage 30 minutes 2 times a day, but I made progress and got packed and moved across the country with a minimum of items.
You can do this! Just have to start with 5 minutes. You don’t run a marathon without some training.
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For me staying ‘connected to the past’ meant SOOO many paintings/drawings my kids had done that I felt sad to lose. I kept a few classics, but took photos of the rest and then threw them out.
Good strategy, Buff!
Oh man, I need to print this and re-read daily until I get it all done! Then pass it around to others.
Do it, Emily! You be so, so glad you did. 🙂
Me too!