Top 3 Kinds of Clutter (and Ways to Combat Them)
If you are someone who struggles to maintain the amount of stuff in your life or feels anxious at the thought of getting rid of things, The Swoon Team has some great news for you!
There are solutions and ways to lessen these burdens!
Clutter will always be a part of our lives (we’re human and things will never go away). But there are some steps you can take to combat the clutter in your life. Today, we’re going to focus on ways to manage the top three types of clutter. If you aren’t sure what these are, head over to The Top 3 Kinds of Clutter to read about them!
1. Emotional Clutter
It can be very difficult to make decisions about items that have sentimental value. The best practice for this is to start by decluttering items that don’t have emotional meaning behind them. Use this to become familiar with the feeling of letting go of an item. Then, once you are more comfortable, start working with items that have more value or attachments for you.
SWOON TIP: Ask yourself some questions. Think about why you want to keep an item. Is it because it was a gift from someone? Did you purchase it during a particularly happy time in your life? Think about all these details and if the item is still serving you in some way. If it is not serving you, it might be time to move on. Remember that it is okay to keep items that have sentimental value, but that not all items should be given that status.
2. Fashion Clutter
This can be a much easier choice when it comes to keeping or getting rid of something. If you are keeping it “just in case” it fits again or comes back in style, get rid of it. Chances are if it comes back in style, it will have slight differences and you’ll want to purchase the updated version anyway. Be cautious and realistic about if you are keeping it in the hopes it will fit again one day. Do not use that item to shame or embarrass yourself. Get rid of it and imagine the beautiful, new piece you will be able to wear in the future as you come into being a newer, more confident version of yourself.
SWOON TIP: An easy way to do this is to take five minutes and go through your closet. Any immediate things that you don’t like, you haven’t worn, or you don’t gravitate towards, make a plan to donate, re-sell, or give it to someone who will get more use or joy out of it.
3. Daily Clutter
These items will be used every day and while I know that it may seem like more work to put something away just to take it out again a few hours or a day later, putting things away can greatly diminish visual clutter. Giving items a designated spot and always ensuring it gets put there when you are finished will help your space feel more under control at all times.
SWOON TIP: Spend two minutes a day putting things away. By making it a habit to return things to their designated spots after you are finished with them, it will be that much easier to put things away quickly, without a thought, (even if you use them frequently).
As I said earlier, clutter and things will always be a part of life. And unless you plan to get rid of everything you own and live out of a backpack, you will have to find some way to manage it. Starting with these three tips can help you flex your decluttering muscles and make it less overwhelming to deal with your belongings on a regular basis. Making a habit of letting go of items, giving things a proper home, and putting things away every day can bring so much peace and calm into your life.
If you are looking for more guidance or support along your decluttering journey, don’t hesitate to reach out! We love helping people and sharing the benefits of decluttering with all of you!
Don’t forget to head over to our other blog to read more about these three types of clutter!
