So my previous blog post was about clutter and how it holds you back in life. If you missed it, you can read it here.
So this pesky thing that is called clutter that is weighing you down and holding you back… What is it really?
Well, there’s the dictionary explanation, that goes something like this:
“To fill or litter with things in a disorderly manner, a disorderly heap or assemblage.”
I find that to not be very helpful in this situation. I read that and in my mind I go: “Yes, but what does that mean?”
There can be disorderly looking heaps that are completely organised. I’ve seen them myself. There are people that can pull an exact piece of paper out of a pile like that. So that’s a not so good looking filing system really. I’m not sure I would necessarily deem it clutter though. There is actually order in that pile.
So, after having observed how it affects me and my clients, this is my definition of what clutter is:
- things you don’t love or use regularly
- too many things in too small of a space
- things that are broken or mistreated
- unfinished things
- things that make you feel bad
- things that are unorganised (and therefore often annoy you)
So with this definition I hope you can recognise the clutter in your home.
Common places for clutter accumulation is the linen cupboard, the container drawer in the kitchen (you know where you have lids with no containers, and the other way around), your sock drawer, the laundry, the garage where boxes with things (and also stuff) seem to live a life of their own, under your bed, and in your whole closet.
So when you look at something, and you’re not sure if it’s clutter of not, ask yourself this:
Do I love it?
Do I need it?
Do I use it?
If your answer is no to all three of these questions, it’s clutter and you would benefit from getting rid of it.
So now you know what clutter is and what it does to you. Next week we’ll look at how you can use your clutter as a compass for finding out what areas in life you need to pay a little extra attention to.
Until then, go on, be brave and do some clutter clearing. Just because you can. You might be surprised at what happens!
Have fun,
Sara
Example of what clutter looks like.
Feel Good Group 
Hmmmn. If that photo is clutter, what is it called when you can’t see the floor, or the windows for that matter?
Am applying the “love it, use it” rule to my house. I can’t use the “need it” part as when I see something, I NEED it. Both myself and my husband in the shed/garage, have to apply the “if you haven’t used it in the last year, you don’t need it” rule.
I think it’s just called “even more clutter”! Or possibly a nightmare?! 😉 It literally would be for an organised person like myself.
Great trick with the “last year” approach too, that’s a very helpful way to look at your stuff.