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What Your Clutter Could Be Saying About You

5/28/2020

2 Comments

 
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I absolutely love this quote (shown above) by Thomas Jefferson. For me it is a foundational axiom of household organization. If applied mindfully and intentionally, a person can use this maxim to create the kind of space that speaks to the soul, a space where one can not only feel at home, but also at peace. 
The problem is, most of us do not approach the establishment, organization, and maintenance of our homes with this adage in mind. Instead of carefully curating a space that represents who we are and what matters most to us, we let the uninspiring, trivial, and outdated inundate our space and overshadow the things that truly bring us joy. I know I have been guilty of this at times. Chances are, you have been as well. 

If your home, or portions thereof, have succumbed to the subtle, yet assertive influence of clutter, it may be sending a subliminal message, both to you and to others who enter, that is inconsistent with who you are or who you are striving to become. 

To begin with, let's talk about what your clutter might be saying about you, your life, and your experiences.

What Message Are You Sending?

An excessive accumulation of clutter can send a variety of messages to observers. The type of message depends, in part, on the type of clutter. Here are a few of the most common subliminal interpretations that arise when people enter a cluttered space. 
  • You Are Indecisive: Do you have piles of mail and other forms of paper stacked on every flat surface in your home? Are there boxes or bags of stuff piled in corners or creeping onto the furniture? If so, you may be sending the message that you are unable to make decisions - specifically about what to keep, what to discard, and where to put things. 
  • You Are Overly Sentimental: If everything is treated like a keepsake, then nothing has any real value. If your home is cluttered with mementos of the past, it may seem to others as though you are trapped there, unable to live in the present. Keepsakes are important, but they should be carefully edited to represent those experiences and relationships that are most meaningful to and representative of you. 
  • You Are a Procrastinator: When people come over do you find yourself saying things like, "Oh, I've got to deal with that?" or "I'm in the process of..." in reference to the piles of clutter in your home? If so, you're probably sending a message that you are a procrastinator. 
  • You Are Caught Up On the What Ifs: Do you hang onto things because they might be useful? Are you convinced that you can't get rid of something you haven't used in ages because you might need it someday? Caches of empty jars, hardware scraps, outdated appliances, and other odds and ends are an obvious indication that a person is more concerned about what ifs than what is. 
  • You Are Overburdened: Is your counter top covered with things that need your attention? Is your sink full of dirty dishes? Is the laundry starting to take over valuable real estate within your home? Are there books and toys and daily items strewn about your living space? If so, it may be an indication that you are overburdened. You've got so much on your plate that you can't find the time or energy to maintain basic order in your home. 
  • You Are Clutter Blind: Clutter blindness is an inability to see clutter or to recognize it for what it is. If clutter has become such a natural part of the fabric of your life that it no longer registers as clutter to you, you may have developed clutter blindness. The problem with clutter blindness is you can't fix a problem you can't see... 
  • You've Been Through a Challenging Time: Life has a way of throwing us curve balls. The loss of a loved one, a move to a new location, a serious illness or injury, and other life changing events can have a significant impact on our ability to manage the clutter in our lives. If you are struggling to make it from one day to the next, then you have more important things on your mind than your clutter. 

How to Curate a Space That Reflects Who You Are

As I consider the notion of curating spaces that befittingly represent "the museum of our soul and the archive of our experiences" a quote from Dr. Seuss's book Oh, The Places You'll Go! comes to mind:
Vertical Divider
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. ​
In other words, it doesn't matter where you are now with regard to the state of your space. As the architect and administrator of that space, you are in control. You have the power to make meaningful changes that faithfully reflect your personality, passions, and preferences. Here are a few things you can do to begin the process of curating a space that speaks of and to you: 
  • Acknowledge Your Clutter: You can't deal with a problem if you haven't identified it as a problem. Take a deliberate, diagnostic look at your space. Where are the trouble spots? What do you need to get rid of? How would you like your home to look? What steps do you need to take to achieve your vision? 
  • Decide What Matters Most to You: The first step in this process is to determine what aspects of yourself you want to be reflected in your space. What do you want it to say about you? Once you have thought through these questions, you can use the answers to guide you in the decluttering process. I call this The Power of Positive Purging. The emphasis isn't on what you're getting rid of but rather on what you choose to keep. 
  • Act Now: Contrary to popular belief, motivation is the by-product of action, not the precursor. When we act, we get results, and those results motivate us to continue acting. People always tell me that they don't know where to start. The truth is it doesn't matter where you start. It only matters that you do. 
  • Find Appropriate Ways to Preserve Your Memories: Much can be said on this subject. The important thing is to focus on displaying those things that are most meaningful to you and find other ways to document and preserve the rest.  
  • Streamline Your Schedule: If your life is so busy that you can't adequately maintain your space, it's time to reevaluate your priorities and streamline your responsibilities. Make time for yourself and the things that matter most to you. This means making time to create a space where you can set your stress aside and feel at peace. 
  • Give Yourself Some Grace: If you are experiencing (or have recently experienced) a life changing event, be kind to yourself. Give yourself time to get back on your feet. But do get back on your feet. When we fall off the wagon, we have a tendency to sit in the dust and watch the wagon disappear in the distance. Instead, we need to catch up with the wagon and hop back on (figuratively speaking). Do it at your own pace, but do it. Exercising mindful control over your space is a great way to regain your stamina and perspective. Use this potentially unwelcome experience as an opportunity to make some welcome changes. 

Show Your Stuff

A home is like a blank canvas. It will take on a different look for each new occupant. I observed this phenomenon as a military spouse living in on post housing. The houses were typically similar, if not identical, in structure and layout, but the look of each home was unique to its occupants. Whether you own or rent your home, you have the power to create a space that is reflective of you and your family, and if your space is saying things about you that you do not approve of, you have the power to make positive changes in your environment.  
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2 Comments
Ronni Eisenberg link
6/2/2020 10:02:59 am

I love all your quotes. The one by Thomas Jefferson is so poignant and I think I have a crush on Dr. Seuss. His messages are amazing and I love the spin on them.
This is a terrific piece and I especially liked, “Are You Clutter Blind?” How true that is. I think I’m going to run and share this with my husband who I am certain doesn’t see his clutter.🤣

Reply
Sheri link
6/2/2020 11:18:24 am

Thanks so much for your comment! I'm so glad you enjoyed the post. This week I'll be posting specifically on my conception of clutter blindness. It's a phrase that just sort of tumbled out of my mouth one day while talking about an extended family member with my husband, and I've been pondering the idea. I would love to get your thoughts on that post as well.

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  • Home
  • About Sheri
    • Contact
    • Services >
      • FAQ
      • The Organization Process
      • Packages & Plans
      • Presentations
      • Results
      • Why Hire an Organizer?
  • Organization Basics
    • Declutter Your Home >
      • Basics of Home Organization
      • Household Cleaning Schedule
      • Tips for a Quick Declutter
    • Basics of Decluttering >
      • 4 T's of Decluttering
      • Clutter vs Decor
      • Coming to Terms with Your Clutter Personality
      • Conquer Clutter
      • Principles of Organization
      • The Proven Process for Organizing Everything
      • Purge Like a Pro
      • Rules for Decluttering
      • Steps to Declutter
      • Systems for Decluttering
    • Organizing by Room >
      • Bathroom >
        • Bathroom Storage Solutions
        • DIY Bathroom Wall Storage
        • Declutter Hair Accessories
        • Declutter Your Makeup
        • Declutter Your Medicine Cabinet
      • Bedroom >
        • Bedroom Storage Solutions
        • How to Declutter Clothing
        • How to Organize Your Closet
      • Entry
      • Home Office >
        • Declutter Your Files
      • Kids' Rooms >
        • Toy Storage Tips
        • Toy Storage Options
        • Maintaining Kids' Rooms
      • Kitchen >
        • Primary Kitchen Work Zones
        • Secondary Kitchen Work Zones
        • Movable Kitchen Storage
        • How to Declutter Kitchen Cabinets
        • How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets
        • Kitchen Cabinet Space Savers
        • How to Declutter a Refrigerator
        • Tips for Organizing a Refrigerator
        • Meal Planning
        • How to Organize Recipes
      • Pantry >
        • Pantry Inspiration
    • Storage Solutions >
      • Assessing Your Storage Needs
      • How to Create a Whole House Storage Plan
      • Storage Kits
      • Storage Unit Dos and Don'ts: An Organizer's Perspective
    • Information Management >
      • How to Establish an Information Management System
      • Declutter Papers
      • How to Organize with Lists
      • Deciding What Paperwork to Keep
    • Family >
      • How to Raise an Organized Child
      • Teaching Kids to Work
    • Productivity >
      • Stop Procrastinating and Declutter
      • The Myths of Multitasking
      • 7 Strategies for Single Tasking
    • Lifestyle >
      • College Prep >
        • College Packing List
        • Dorm Room Essentials
        • What Not to Take to College
      • Holiday Planning >
        • Declutter Your Holidays
        • Clutter-free Gift Giving
        • Give the Best Gifts
        • Organize Your Gift Giving
      • Preparing for Transition >
        • Aging with Grace and Purpose >
          • Estate Planning
          • Organizing for Alzheimer's Disease
        • Adult Children
      • Travel Planning >
        • Air Travel with Kids
        • Sightseeing with Kids
        • Tips for Care-free Travel
        • Traveling with Kids
    • Moving >
      • Creating a Household Inventory
      • Organize Your Move
      • Planning for a Move
      • Moving Options
      • Prepare for Movers
      • Working with Movers
      • Tips for Packing
      • Tips for Unpacking
  • Resources
    • Books >
      • Moving Made Easy
    • Challenges >
      • Get Rid of 100 Things in 100 Days
    • Newsletter
    • Product Recommendations >
      • Organization Gems Every Girl Needs
      • 12 Amazing Organization Products for Men
      • Fabulous Farmhouse Storage Solutions
      • Crazy Cool Products That Will Make You Want to Clean
      • Best Board Games for Beating Boredom
    • Donate Your Stuff >
      • Donate Books
      • Donate Clothes
      • Donate Craft Supplies
      • Donate DVDs & More
      • Donate or Recycle Electronics
      • Donate Furniture
      • Donate Musical Instruments
      • Donate School Supplies
      • Donate Sports Equipment
      • Donate Used Toys
    • Recycling Resources
    • Sell Your Stuff >
      • Garage Sale Organization
    • Swap Your Stuff
    • Setting Goals
    • Tools for Organizing >
      • Furniture >
        • Organize with Dressers
      • Wall Storage >
        • Organize with Pegboards
        • Personalized Pegboards
  • Blog