Most of us are aware of the feelings of overwhelm and embarrassment caused by clutter, feelings that are in themselves a huge weight to carry. But interestingly we don’t often measure the weight we carry associated to the feelings of GUILT and RESENTMENT until we start letting go of our clutter. Here are some of the examples that I’ve witnessed over the years as a professional organiser.
Meal planning is one of these things that many women aspire to but don’t make happen. If that’s your case, instead of focusing on the task, try to focus on the benefits as it’ll surely encourage you to get started. And, as you’ll find out below, there are plenty of benefits!
I don’t think I have ever been consciously collecting stuff. Maybe because I saw how my late dad holding onto every single power tool and building supply that came his way led over the years to an overstuffed garage in which it was difficult to locate what he needed when he wanted to fix something.
So when my son, around the age of six, started collecting stuff such as football cards and various book series, I got a bit nervous. Had my reluctance to having too much stuff made him a hoarder, as my dad hoarding tendencies had made me feel wary in the presence of too much stuff?
There are many benefits for clearing clutter. You free up space eliminating the need to rent external storage space or move to a larger home. You know what you own so you save money by eliminating the need to buy something you already have but can’t remember you have or can’t find. You save time by finding what you want when you need it. These benefits are obvious, right? But have you thought of the impact that clearing clutter can have on your mental well-being?
TV reality shows such as Hoarding: Buried Alive, Clean House or A&E’s Hoarders have drawn attention to the phenomenon of compulsive hoarding. But while many people admit being cluttered, only a small percentage qualify as compulsive hoarders – based on the number of people I’ve helped over the last 4 years as a professional organiser, I’d say around 5%. Whatever the severity of your clutter is, my view is that you should get professional help. Here’s why.
If you’ve been following me for at least the last 3 years, you might remember that in November 2014, I embarked onto a shopping diet. There was not much planning involved, just the decision that from the next day onwards, I’d stop shopping for clothes and accessories. Sharing the account of my little “experiment”, which turned out to last for over 14 months, is always received with a mixture of incredibility, curiosity and fascination. The thing is, I’m myself surprised by the unexpected way in which my shopping diet has impacted my life.
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