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THE THREE BIGGEST HURDLES TO DECLUTTERING YOUR SPACE—AND HOW TO OVERCOME THEM
Throughout April, we’re focusing on spring clearing—a twist on spring cleaning that focuses on clearing away the clutter to create a space in which you can thrive. Earlier this week, our founder Sadie Lincoln shared her genius tips for how to reduce the clutter of social media. Today, we’re tackling physical clutter, so we went right to the experts: the KonMari team, inspired and trained by the one and only Marie Kondo, author of the bestselling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
Anyone who has spent an extra 10 minutes looking for their keys knows that clutter is annoying, but according to Seattle-based KonMari consultant Sue Bollinger, the effects can be far more serious than that. “Having clutter in your surroundings can be mentally exhausting and competes for your attention, resulting in decreased performance,” she explains. Clutter can also have a negative effect on your self-esteem, your relationships, your career, and your finances.
But even more serious than that, clutter can make you forget who you truly are. “If you are overwhelmed with your ‘stuff’ and the daily churn of day-to-day life, you may have forgotten what really matters to you, how you like to spend your time, and the dreams you had for your life,” says Bollinger. “Living with less helps you reconnect and remember. Sometimes to figure out what matters you have to get rid of everything that doesn’t.”
So how do we banish clutter for good? The key, says Bollinger, is to get over the top three hurdles when it comes to creating a tidy space.
DECLUTTERING HURDLE #1: Not designating a space for everything. When you have an object that doesn’t have a “home,” it immediately becomes clutter. Same goes for objects that have “homes” but never get put back in their proper places.
SOLUTION: Make sure everything in your house has a designated “home”—and if it doesn’t, either find one for it or consider whether it’s truly something you want. Can’t decide? Bollinger offers this rule of thumb: “Your belongings should make you feel happy or in some way improve your life.”
DECLUTTERING HURDLE #2: Allowing guilt to prevent you from letting go. There are myriad reasons we let guilt control what we keep: maybe something was a gift from someone special, or it cost a lot and we want to justify our spending.
SOLUTION: As Marie Kondo explains in The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, the important thing is to recognize that the object sparked joy at one point and be grateful for that, but also to admit that it’s no longer sparking joy. That’s when it’s time to let go.
DECLUTTERING HURDLE #3: Worrying that you’ll need something someday. We’ve all that that moment: You’re on the verge of getting rid of a dress/book/random kitchen gadget, but then a little voice in your head wonders if you might need it someday.
SOLUTION: Make a realistic assessment. When was the last time you used this item? Does it represent your former self, or a self you once thought you’d become? Does seeing it fill you with negative feelings, maybe of regret or shame? Would getting rid of it take a weight off your shoulders, release you from pressures you’re putting on yourself?
The process of decluttering can be tough—and emotional—but it’s worth it. “Having a tidy space brings better focus back into your life,” says Bollinger. “You’ll have less anxiety, you’ll feel more creative and productive, and you’ll be able to focus clearly.” In other words, you’ll be able to thrive—and that’s far more valuable than that random scarf from your aunt you’ve had stuffed in your closet for the past 10 years.
Sue Bollinger is a professional organizer and certified KonMari Consultant. The KonMari Method of organizing was created by Marie Kondo, a Japanese organizing consultant and best-selling author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Spark Joy.
Throughout April, we’re focusing on spring clearing—a twist on spring cleaning that focuses on clearing away the clutter to create a space in which you can thrive. Earlier this week, our founder Sadie Lincoln shared her genius tips for how to reduce the clutter of social media. Today, we’re tackling physical clutter, so we went right to the experts: the KonMari team, inspired and trained by the one and only Marie Kondo, author of the bestselling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
Anyone who has spent an extra 10 minutes looking for their keys knows that clutter is annoying, but according to Seattle-based KonMari consultant Sue Bollinger, the effects can be far more serious than that. “Having clutter in your surroundings can be mentally exhausting and competes for your attention, resulting in decreased performance,” she explains. Clutter can also have a negative effect on your self-esteem, your relationships, your career, and your finances.
But even more serious than that, clutter can make you forget who you truly are. “If you are overwhelmed with your ‘stuff’ and the daily churn of day-to-day life, you may have forgotten what really matters to you, how you like to spend your time, and the dreams you had for your life,” says Bollinger. “Living with less helps you reconnect and remember. Sometimes to figure out what matters you have to get rid of everything that doesn’t.”
So how do we banish clutter for good? The key, says Bollinger, is to get over the top three hurdles when it comes to creating a tidy space.
DECLUTTERING HURDLE #1: Not designating a space for everything. When you have an object that doesn’t have a “home,” it immediately becomes clutter. Same goes for objects that have “homes” but never get put back in their proper places.
SOLUTION: Make sure everything in your house has a designated “home”—and if it doesn’t, either find one for it or consider whether it’s truly something you want. Can’t decide? Bollinger offers this rule of thumb: “Your belongings should make you feel happy or in some way improve your life.”
DECLUTTERING HURDLE #2: Allowing guilt to prevent you from letting go. There are myriad reasons we let guilt control what we keep: maybe something was a gift from someone special, or it cost a lot and we want to justify our spending.
SOLUTION: As Marie Kondo explains in The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, the important thing is to recognize that the object sparked joy at one point and be grateful for that, but also to admit that it’s no longer sparking joy. That’s when it’s time to let go.
DECLUTTERING HURDLE #3: Worrying that you’ll need something someday. We’ve all that that moment: You’re on the verge of getting rid of a dress/book/random kitchen gadget, but then a little voice in your head wonders if you might need it someday.
SOLUTION: Make a realistic assessment. When was the last time you used this item? Does it represent your former self, or a self you once thought you’d become? Does seeing it fill you with negative feelings, maybe of regret or shame? Would getting rid of it take a weight off your shoulders, release you from pressures you’re putting on yourself?
The process of decluttering can be tough—and emotional—but it’s worth it. “Having a tidy space brings better focus back into your life,” says Bollinger. “You’ll have less anxiety, you’ll feel more creative and productive, and you’ll be able to focus clearly.” In other words, you’ll be able to thrive—and that’s far more valuable than that random scarf from your aunt you’ve had stuffed in your closet for the past 10 years.
Sue Bollinger is a professional organizer and certified KonMari Consultant. The KonMari Method of organizing was created by Marie Kondo, a Japanese organizing consultant and best-selling author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Spark Joy.
