Conquering Your Clutter Demons

Clutter is a product of deferred decision making; it piles up around us because we can’t or won’t decide to release it when its time has come. If all we need to do is jump in and decide, why is it so hard? It’s because of clutter demons—internal voices that make us hesitate in our dealings with our stuff.

Lodged deep in our personalities, these inner voices prevent us from making swift and smart clutter decisions. They tap into fears and insecurities that prevent change, even when those changes are in our own best interest.

The solution? Know your enemy! Addressing the hidden voices behind the failure to decide can create a powerful surge in your ability to deal with clutter. Let’s explore the clutter demons that speak to you…and how you can silence them.

Sentiment

Sentiment suffers from a fatal confusion that a physical thing stands in the same place as the memories associated with it. Hence the panicked fluttering many of us feel when it’s time to release mementos such as ticket stubs, greeting cards, or children’s artwork.

To tone down the voice of this clutter demon, remind yourself that the stuff is a symbol, not the reality. A birthday card is not the friend who sent it; the concert program is not the wonderful evening you had at the performance.

You can choose to cherish a memory without finding room for every single item associated with it. When you’re decluttering sentimental items, select the best and brightest reminder, and release the remaining items so they don’t dilute the meaning by becoming clutter.

SPEEDY SOLUTION

Instead of preserving each sentimental item associated with a memory, photograph it. Better yet, have a friend or family member snap the item as you hold it, use it, or wear it. Save the photo in an album or scrapbook, adding a short note describing what it means to you. This way you save the memories, not the clutter.

Scarcity Thinking

Scarcity thinking is rooted in the fear that resources may not be available in the future. Grounded in insecurity, this clutter demon rushes to the defense of empty yogurt containers and stacks of unread magazines, shouting, “But I might need those someday!”

Reach for a realistic view of resources to counter this inner voice. If you need yogurt containers, you can find them in gleaming rows at the supermarket. Old magazines? They’re living the good life at the local library. Reminding yourself that resources are readily available can go a long way to silence scarcity thinking.

Perfectionism

Perfectionism prevents change by erecting impossible standards. Crafty enough to put it in terms like “a job worth doing is worth doing well,” this inner voice insists that no action be taken unless and until it can be done to perfection.

A bulging dresser drawer in need of a good decluttering is a good example. Perfectionism dictates that not a single worn-out sock be touched until you buy scented drawer liners and make time to organize all four drawers in the dresser perfectly.

The problem is, this isn’t a perfect world. It’s better to reach for an imperfect solution than to offer no solution at all. To fight the voice of perfectionism, remind yourself that “good enough” is a good enough goal for anyone. Who needs “perfect,” anyway?

Procrastination

Procrastination knows that change won’t occur if you never make it to the starting line. To prevent that all-important first step, this inner voice reels off excuse after excuse to persuade you to put off dealing with your clutter.

You’re too busy. You’re too tired. Things will go faster tomorrow…or the day after that…or next year. Procrastination offers any excuse necessary to keep you from making a beginning.

The solution is to plug your ears and make a start. Jumping into action hurdles right over procrastination’s fear of change, and the momentum of getting started often provides enough energy to carry you all the way to the finish line.

Rebellion

Rebellion is an inner voice that chafes against powerlessness. Often arising from childhood conflicts, this clutter demon may also channel voices of blame and resentment to prevent you from disposing of clutter.

Rebellion sulks, pouts, and mutters, “I don’t want to, and you can’t make me!” or “It’s not my mess, why should I?” whenever a clutter decision is on the table.

The solution here is to realize that it’s time to grow up! The quickest way to shortcut this clutter demon is to trade places with the authority figure in the shadows. Remind rebellion that it’s no longer Mom or anyone else who wants a clean and organized house: it’s you.

The Miser

The miser believes that any prior investment in an item must be protected at all costs, even when conditions have changed and that value has dissipated. This clutter demon will splutter, “But I paid $2,000 for that!” when faced with the need to release a broken computer built in the last century.

To silence this inner voice, broaden your sense of value. Purchase price is only one indicator of what an item is really worth; others include current market value and the ongoing cost required to house the unit. Stay nimble and flexible about the notion of value to shortcut the miser’s objections.

SPEEDY SOLUTION

Modern technology provides a quick reality check when struggling with issues of value. Is your book a penny title or a collectible edition? Find out fast at Amazon. What will people really pay for that college-era set of bookcase speakers? You’ll know in a minute if you look them up on eBay. Smartphone apps can scan bar codes to give a quick read on the actual value of surplus stuff.