One of the most pervasive menaces in the home is clutter. It makes the house feel cramped, uninviting, stagnant, and dirty. It stresses us out. It causes us to feel trapped by possessions. It’s ugly and unappealing.

In our capitalist buy, buy, buy culture, the tentacles of clutter slowly seep into our environments. One day our house is bright, sparkly, and new. Before we know it, we take a look around the living room and think “Wow! I don’t have a single clear surface in this place.” Then we go to put some things away in the bedroom or kitchen only to find that the cupboards and closets are already overflowing with belongings, some of which we’ve neither seen nor used in years. When it reaches this point, the presence and the prospect of getting rid of the clutter can be quite overwhelming. However, all is not lost.

Here are some useful tips for getting rid of and preventing the accumulation of clutter:

1. Have a regular “spring clean” or de-cluttering party. Every six months to a year, go through all of your cupboards, closets, surfaces, bookshelves, and anywhere else you might collect clutter. Donate old books to the local library. Give old clothes, nick knacks, and anything else you’re not using to charity, a friend, or a family member who could get use out of it. If the item is broken throw it out. My general rule is that if I’ve not used something for a year or more, I get rid of it. If I’ve gone that long without needing it, I clearly can live without it and I don’t want it taking up space in my mind or environment.

2. Your possessions are not your emotions. Many people hold on to things for emotional significance. This is fine if it’s an item you genuinely love, use, and brings you happiness to have around. However, if you’re just keeping it because you feel like you “should” or “have to” due to the emotions surrounding it, it’s just an energy block that’s not benefitting you. You don’t need it. Memories are not held in physical objects. If you need something to remember an event, then that event probably isn’t that important. Let it go. If you have issues about this address it with your therapist or life coach.

3. Collections. Collecting certain items is fine as long as they’re not running you out of your home. If you’ve come to the point that your precious dolls are just sitting around collecting dust and you no longer have room in your house to place a cup of tea, then it’s time to stop and assess the situation. Thin down the collection to a healthy level in which you can tastefully display the collected items. You could even find some fun in having a cyclic display of your collection where whenever you get a new item, you donate an old one. This could add life to the collection while making it more interesting. Don’t let your collectibles consume and control you. Your mental clarity is worth more than that and your value as a human being is not contingent on having physical objects around you.

4. Stay away from the “Unitasker”. The unitasker is a “gadget,” usually, but not exclusively, found in the kitchen. The unitasker serves only one limited function. Examples of these are hot dog warmers, waffle makers, and pasta machines. Typically, we use these items once or twice a year and they otherwise sit around and take up space. We don’t need them.
There are times when unitaskers can be useful and worthwhile. For example, I have an iced tea maker. All it does is make iced tea, but it does it much more quickly and conveniently than I could otherwise. However, I love iced tea and drink it all the time, just about every day. So, if you really do use your unitasker regularly and find it makes your life easier, then hold on to it. If you can count the number of times you use the object per year on one hand, then you can probably live without it and would be better off doing so.

Be brave and pick a day and go through your house and just get rid of “stuff” you no longer use or like. I promise that you’ll find it extremely liberating and you’ll be much happier and vibrant for doing so!

Reccommended Reading
Living with Less: The Upside to Downsizing Your Life, by Mark Tabb