10 Decluttering Mistakes to Avoid

5/11/2020

When it comes to decluttering, we often talk about what to do and how to do it, but there is value as well in discussing what not to do with regard to decluttering. I've identified ten common pitfalls or obstacles to successful decluttering that can sabotage even the most well-intended efforts. Be on the lookout for these attitudes and behaviors when you are decluttering.

Decluttering Mistake #1 -
Beginning Without the End in Sight

Decluttering is a process. Before you can determine the process you need to pursue, you need to identify what it is you're hoping to achieve. It all starts with a vision for your space. How do you want it to function? How do you want to live within the space? What do you want to be able to do? The answers to these questions will help you to decide what to get rid of and what to keep. You can read more about this phenomenon in my post The Power of Positive Purging.

Decluttering Mistake #2 -
Shopping Before You Declutter

The first thing many people do once they've decided to declutter is to run out and shop for tons of organization products. While its important to have good storage options for organizing stuff long term, shopping first defeats the purpose of decluttering. The whole idea is to get rid of stuff you don't want, need, or use.

People who buy a lot of organization products up front often end up stuffing things into boxes and bins without doing much, if any, decluttering. The presence of storage containers gives a false sense of being clutter-free when in reality the clutter has just been contained (temporarily). Before long, it will escape it's confines and re-emerge, perhaps in another form, but it will be back.

Another reason to declutter before you shop for organization products is to ensure that you get exactly what you need. It can be tempting to overdo it when it comes to the plethora of organizational baskets, boxes, and bins. There are so many wonderful options available! Buying simply what appeals to you or looks promising, without a real understanding of exactly what your storage needs are, can lead to empty organization products becoming part of your clutter!

Declutter Mistake #3 -
Having Unrealistic Expectations

Decluttering is an ongoing, whole house process. If you haven't done it in a while, it's going to take some time. Even if your goal is only to declutter one room or area of your home, it's going to take longer than you think.

Be prepared to get sucked in by things you might not be expecting - old letters, photographs, paperwork that needs sorting, etc. To truly declutter, you have to go through everything and make a determination about what stays and what goes.

Decluttering Mistake #4 - Getting Sidetracked

Any number of things can sidetrack people when they are decluttering. You might uncover something you forgot you had, or something you haven't seen in a long time that brings you joy, or something that's going to take a long time to sort through (like paperwork). In such cases, I recommend setting the item or group of items aside to sort through separately at another time (soon).

You might notice things that belong in other spaces and get sidetracked putting them away. It's a good practice to have a container for out of place items. Stick anything that doesn't belong where it's at in the container and return those items to their rightful homes at the end of your decluttering session.

Decluttering Mistake #5 - Being Indecisive

To quote author Christina Scalise: "Clutter is the physical manifestation of unmade decisions fueled by procrastination."

Some organizers will tell you to create a 'maybe' pile if you're having trouble deciding what to part with. I'm going to tell you that this is a bad idea. Maybe piles just turn into their own form of clutter and before long you forget why those particular items are in that particular location. In a fit of organization, you may even put them back where they belong! The whole concept behind decluttering is letting go - letting go of things we don't want, need, or use, the things that weigh us down unnecessarily without providing benefit to our lives.

Indecision fuels clutter. Be decisive.

Decluttering Mistake #6 - Transferring Clutter

A lot of people think they are decluttering when what they are really doing is transferring their clutter. Decluttering means getting rid of stuff, not just moving it to a new location. The desk may be clear, but if there is a new pile of paperwork and other stuff on another surface or in a closet somewhere, you haven't decluttered. You've just moved the clutter. This is a form of indecision and procrastination, and it is counterproductive.

Decluttering Mistake #7 -
Decluttering Other People's Stuff

It can be tempting to sort through other people's things, especially if you live with them, but it is not a good idea. Doing so can (and often does) create tension, and even long-term rifts, in relationships. Each person has to deal with their own clutter in their own way. We hope that everyone will choose to do so, but forced decluttering never works. It can actually leave people with an unconscious need to hold onto things (out of a fear that others might try to get rid of them).

When it comes to decluttering kids stuff, there are some exceptions. For more information on this topic, click here.

Decluttering Mistake #8 -
Failing to See the Process Through

Many people start the decluttering process only to abandon it part way through. The reasons are varied. Perhaps they felt overwhelmed by the process. Perhaps they got busy with life and lost sight of what they had set out to do. Whatever the case, if you want to see real, lasting results, you have to be consistent. That means not only seeing the process through, but continuing to declutter over time to maintain a sort of clutter equilibrium.

Maintaining Your Clutter Equilibrium

I have a pretty clutter free home, but I have mad at least six trips to the local thrift store to donate items since the new year began. We've even made a couple of trips to the dump. These aren't big trips involving boxes and boxes of stuff. I just have a designated spot for items I want to donate. When I get a bag full, I put it in my car and add it to my to do list. In this way, I'm able to keep clutter from piling up.

Decluttering Mistake #9 -
Not Getting Rid of the Get Rid of Pile

The work of decluttering is done. Items are set aside for donation...and they sit, and sit, and sit indefinitely in the garage, or the front hallway or the laundry room or even the trunk of the car. Months pass, and still the get rid of items sit waiting to be gotten rid of. This is a common tale. Don't let it be true of you. Your decluttering is not complete until the decluttered items have left your home...permanently (the trunk of the car doesn't count).

Decluttering Mistake #10 - Not Decluttering!

The absolute biggest mistake you can make with regard to decluttering is not doing it. It can change your life. It can ease your burden and lighten you soul and make your home a place where you feel comfortable and at peace. No matter what, decluttering is worth the time, effort, and energy involved.