Find out the most common reasons clutter gathers, and becomes hard to throwaway.

Are you the kind of person who chucks items into a drawer or box because you don’t know where else to put it? Don’t worry, you are most certainly not alone.

If you spend just a little bit of time taking a closer look at this common habit, you could find a way to turn this clutter habit around.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons homeowners struggle to let go of clutter:

You Love A Good Bargain

If somebody is throwing something out and it looks useful, you’re the first to ask if you can have it. You’ve got a shed full of half used paint from the 80’s, and you must have at least three boxes full of washed out plastic tubs. You also have cupboards full of BOGOFS, reduced items and other bargains you just couldn’t pass up.

Avoid this issue by:

• Learning to value quality over quantity
• Sharing your good fortune with those who really are in need
• Don’t use shopping or bargain hunting as a way to feel good
• Recognising the value of space and order, over owning multiple items

You’re Sentimental About Everything

Everyone has a teddy they loved as a kid, or various photos, CD’s and keepsakes that hold a lot of sentimental value. Where you may have a problem is when you hold on to anything because it has some sort of sentimental value, even if that is not for you. Maybe you kept a mug because it fell into your hand at the shop. Maybe you have some photos the old occupier of the house left behind you can’t throw because they are somebody’s memories.

Avoid this issue by:

• Displaying items that truly mean something to you
• Turning multiple items like clothes into one smaller keepsake, like a keepsake teddy
• Store items you don’t need access to, but mean to pass on, in an inexpensive self storage unit
• Learn to let go of items that you really wouldn’t miss if they were lost or destroyed

You Like To Be Prepared

You like to have multiples of everything in case. You have the same pair of leggings four times in case they stop making them. You have piles of newspaper in case you move house and need to package items. You like to be prepared, but it is taking over your living space.

Avoid this issue by:

• Learning to live in the moment more
• Learning to accept change
• Appreciating a clearer space now, rather than the joy of having prepared, in the future

You Struggle To Declutter

Maybe you struggle to declutter at all. You haven’t touched your cheap self storage unit in months, and you can’t remember the last time you cleared out your kitchen cupboards. You might have even seen a tin of soup from the 70’s in there the other day.

How to avoid this problem:

• Start small, decluttering one space at a time
• Dedicate time to decluttering, prioritising it as a major part of your health and wellbeing
• Change your habits moving forward so you start to clutter your house less
• Start to enjoy having more space, so you value it more than the items that filled it before

If you hold on to clutter because you struggle with your mental health, do speak to your GP or local charities. There is help out there, and you won’t be the first or last person to get in a mess with clutter because of mental health. The first step is reaching out.

“Out of calmness comes clarity.” – Trevor Carss

The reasons for keeping hold of clutter above are common. The sooner you identify your own reasons for gathering and holding on to clutter, the easier it will be to make a change. The sooner you make a change, the sooner your home is as spacious, organised and neat as you deserve.