I hope you know me well enough by now to know that I’m not one for laying down the law.
Not that I can’t see a case for a benign dicatorship with me at the helm. We all feel like that sometimes, right? Or is it just me?!
The thing is, one person’s rules, approaches, ways of doing things simply won’t work for everyone.
Sadly.
However…
…the more I help people declutter, the more I notice that there are some fundamental truths of decluttering.
So I thought I’d make a list (you know how much I love those!)
What do you think of the “truths” below. Do you recognise them? Any you disagree with? Any you’d add?
The fundamental truths of decluttering
1. In an affluent society, everyone’s got clutter.
2. Storage isn’t the solution
3. It’s easier to acquire stuff than to let it go
4. If you declutter storage areas first, you’ll have somewhere to put the stuff that’s lying around
5. External clutter is a symptom of internal clutter
6. Little and often is more effective than an occasional blitz
7. It doesn’t take long to forget what’s in a cupboard
8. If it took time to accumulate your clutter, it’ll take time to clear it
9. You’re not the only one struggling with this
10. It’s OK to ask for help
11. It’s easier to clear someone else’s clutter than your own
12. One person’s “clutter” is another person’s treasure: and vice versa
13. If you’re just moving stuff around, you’re not decluttering
14. If you don’t do what needs doing with the stuff, you’re not decluttering
15. If you get rid of the stuff you’re sure you don’t want/need, it’s OK to keep the stuff you’re not sure about
16. It’s easier to get rid of something when you know it’s going to a good home
17. You’ve got to make a mess to clear a mess
18. The best time to clean an area is when it’s empty
19. Clutter is attracted to an empty space
20. A diary note is a more effective reminder than stuff left lying around
21. You’ve got more stuff than you think
22. Most stuff decreases in value over time
23. Your friends and family want you to be happy more than they want you to keep their gifts and legacies
24. The more you declutter, the easier it gets
25. People are more important than things
26. If you can’t access your stuff, you may as well not have it
Which of these are true for you? Which aren’t? What have I missed? Hit reply and let me know.
all are true but what to do if I have to declutter and organize my boyfriends grandmothers home of 60 years that we now live in yet no changes have been made. it is way too overwhelming. moving stuff around or boxing things up with no place to put them is driving me nuts.
Thanks for your comment, Madeleine. Is your boyfriend’s grandmother still living? What’s preventing you from moving on the stuff that’s no longer wanted or needed?
I agree with all of these. I think decluttering/reorganizing regularly is vital to keep a clean and healthy home! From Polina at mylightbag.wordpress.com
It so is! Thanks for your comment.
I love the post! This is the truth definitely! My favorite is “25. People are more important than things”. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for your comment. 🙂
Decide now! Clutter is postponed decision making aka procrastination.
That’s true. Kind of links to number 5.