Why does my home attract clutter, and can I prevent it from happening?
There are numerous factors that contribute to accumulating clutter, with impulse shopping being a primary cause.
Impulse shopping makes us happy when we are buying, but that feeling goes away quickly when we unwrap the pretty packaging and add it to what we already have. With frequent shopping trips per week, our closets, drawers, and cupboards are stuffed.
How can we foster mindful consumption? Reflect on your shopping habits and financial statements. Are you regretting many of the purchases on that impulse shopping spree? Were those purchases influenced by social media posts, attractive packaging, or used as coping mechanism for stress in your life?
Focus on engaging in other activities when you get the urge to shop. Meet with friends, attend a community event, or start a long awaited project that was on your To-Do list.
When making purchases, choose higher quality items and buy less often. For example instead of buying multiple pots and pans, invest in one or two durable, high-quality pieces that will endure over the long term. You will have less regret, clutter, and less debt.
Maintain well organized storage solutions for your belongings. Inadequate or excessive storage can pose challenges. I believe that the possessions in your home should comfortably fit within the available space. If they do not, it may be time to declutter. Be mindful when acquiring new items, and when making new purchases, consider replacing existing items and purging the old ones.
Remember to be kind to yourself. New habits and mindsets take time to develop. Less clutter, less stress, and more joy.
How do you begin to declutter and organize?
Here are a few steps to help break down a process that may feel overwhelming. Dividing your task into small chunks helps make your goals feel achievable.
Step 1 - Clear out the items that don’t belong in that room. Complete the clearing process and stay focused in that room until until the clearing is completed. Utilizing bins helps keep like items together. These items can be put away later.
Step 2 - Categorizing will help you see how much you own, and give you an inventory of your items. This will help you narrow down the most important items you want to keep and use. Deciding what can be donated, thrown out, or possibly sold becomes easier when seeing the whole picture.
Step 3 -Cut out. In order to have a tidier and more organized house, you must take a hard look at what you not longer use and be willing to remove it. Decluttering is key to achieving your end goal of simplifying and getting organized.
Step 4 - Contain. Once you have made decisions on what you will keep, you will want to decide how to organize your items in the space allowed. Keep like items together and utilize what I call prime real estate for the most commonly used items. I recommend putting things in their place before buying organizing supplies to see what you truly need to purchase.
Remember to be kind to yourself and ask for help if needed. It will feel good and you will feel lighter. Less stress and more joy is what we all need.