Is Decluttering Worth It?

Decluttering is ALWAYS worth it!  The simple definition of clutter is postponed decisions. So the art of decluttering is making decisions on things that have been holding you back whether it be from moving forward and cleaning up your physical and digital spaces or clearing your mental clutter and making decisions that will move you forward to what is more important to you in your life.

As a professional organizer, I help people manage their time, space, stuff and data daily and teach people the skills to maintain new systems for staying organized.

When you learn how to structure your schedule and optimize your daily routines, the result is more time for the things that give you pleasure to fit into your life.  When you declutter your space and the stuff that fills it, it can result in a less stressful environment, ease in daily functioning, a more productive environment, sometimes an increased safer environment, and a general clearer state of mind.  When working with data management, whether it be paper or digital, decluttering what is not needed makes managing what is important more feasible. It will be easier to set up good systems for finding what you are looking for quickly and efficiently.

So as the new year approaches, it is a good time to start focusing on renewing your spaces physically, digitally and mentally. I will leave you some lists here below for identifying how clutter costs you both physically and mentally and a guide for helping wade through the decision making process of decluttering. Here’s to a more happy, organized life!

WHAT ARE THE COSTS OF CLUTTER

There are two categories for the costs of Clutter that encompass a myriad of reasons: Tangible costs of clutter and Intangible costs of clutter.

There are tangible costs of clutter which are usually financial related.($$$)

Some examples of these financial costs are as follows:

• cost of repurchasing items you can't find

• cost of paying late fees when bills aren't paid on time

• cost of tax errors from not having all your documents because you don't know what you're missing

• cost of available space to use for what matters most

• cost of health issues pertaining to clutter buildup (i.e. dust, insects, mold, etc.)

• cost of medical expenses due to accidents resulting from trip hazards and unsafe conditions

• cost of repair values for letting things get out of hand

• cost of eating out more because no room to cook

• cost of unused food expiring because you don't know what you have

• cost of eating excess calories because of lack of meal planning and eating what’s convenient

• cost of paying full price because you can’t find coupons you’ve been saving

• cost of extra storage space required because garage/attic/basement are full

• cost of deterioration in the elements due to car not being able to be parked in garage

• cost of work suffering because you can't find anything you need to be productive (home offices)

• cost of missed opportunities/ work promotions because of lack of or inferior productivity

• cost of medicines prescribed for dealing with physical/emotional issues of clutter (see below)

• cost of lost money in the form of checks not cashed, gift cards not used, cash not found, etc.

• cost of lost heirlooms (items not found or tucked away and lost) i.e. Grandma’s pearls in a coat pocket.

• cost of wasted money on excessive magazine subscriptions that no one has time to read

• cost of not catching mistakes on your financial statements because they’re lost in piles

• cost of incurring legal fees to resolve unpaid traffic violations, IRS violations from not filing, etc.

• cost of repetitively losing things… cameras, shoes, cell phones, iPods, jewelry, glasses, retainers, cords, etc.

• cost of cancelled family vacations due to misplaced or expired passports, birth certificates, driver’s license, etc.

• cost of being unprepared for emergencies (i.e. First aid kits, power outages, having your grab & go items ready)

• cost of time looking for things (time is money)

There are intangible costs of clutter that mostly involve emotions.

Some examples of these emotional results are as follows:

• cost of not inviting people over (socializing) due to embarrassment – isolation

• cost of relationships suffering (family/ friends) - spouses arguing about clutter / kids resenting missed opportunities (field trip papers not turned in, etc.)

• cost of your own personal health from increased stress due to clutter, possible increased blood pressure

• cost of negative self-talk (I can't do anything right...) - possible anxiety, depression, unclear thinking, anger, frustration, feeling of helplessness

• cost of crushed dreams because you can't see the light anymore...

WILL I REGRET GETTING RID OF MY STUFF?

When you are planning to start the process of decluttering, you should always start from a clear state of mind and not from a point of frustration towards the clutter. Starting from frustration will cause you to make rash decisions and can result in some possible regret and you should never declutter anyone else’s items without their consent unless you are making decisions for someone that cannot make those decisions on their own whether due to age, incompetency or some other factor. Have a plan for how you want to start and what your end goal is and keeping that end goal in mind will help you to make clear decisions to reach that goal.

If you feel stuck with deciding on something, set it aside and come back to it later. Start with the easy decisions first and as you build up the flow of the process, the harder things will become easier to focus on. I have a list of questions I ask clients to narrow down logical answers for the client to come to their own conclusion for the right decisions.  Here are some examples of questions I might ask about different categories of items.

Practical Questions

• Is it useful and beautiful to me?

• Is it a duplicate item?

• Is this the best place for it?

• If you keep it, will you remember you have it?

• If you remember you have it, will you be able to find it?

• How are you going to display it/ store it/use it?

• Do you have room for it?

• Do you need it or just want it or neither?

• How long do you need to keep it? When can you get rid of it?

• Is it too worn/broken/unidentifiable?

• Is the information still current?

• Will I actually use it/refer to it?

• When's the last time you used (X)?

• When do you think you will use it again and what circumstances will have to be in place in order for you to use it?

• Is this adding value to your life (or home or business) right now?

• Can it easily be duplicated or created if needed again?

• Can I borrow or purchase another one if needed, without spending a fortune or having trouble finding it?

• What's the worst that can happen if you toss it?

• Will I really read it?

• Are you really going to finish this quilt (or other project)?  When?

• Was it a purchase mistake (If so, it does not make it better to keep it)?

• Is this item getting in the way of your ability to find what you need, when you need it?

• How much space does it require (the more it takes, the more critical you should be in your decision to keep it)?

For clothes:

• Do you feel great in it?

• Does it match anything?

• Does it fit well? If not, is it within a reasonable number of size ranges of my current size range to keep it?

• Is the item in good condition, (i.e. Stains, tears, or too worn)?

• Is the item still in style (...1980's shoulder pads are not going to come back into style in the same exact way)?

• Is this of hi-value/ importance, or is it getting in the way of your ability to find what you need, when you need it?

• Do you love the item, or even like it?

• Does it make you feel great to wear it?

• How many do I currently own of this type of item (maybe 20 pairs of black pants are too many)?

Memorabilia:

• Do you have anything else that reminds you of this (event, person, time)?

• Am I keeping it because someone gave it to me, and I'll feel guilty if I get rid of it?

• Does the sentimental value exceed the practical value (if so, keep it!

Emotional Questions

• Does it make me happy? Do I love it?

• Does it make you unhappy to see it?

• Does it make others unhappy to see it?

• Am I honoring and enjoying it?

• Does it lift your spirits to look at it?

• Where did it come from/who gave it to you?

• If we took a picture of it, would that make it easier for you to let it go?

• If you knew that someone else would really benefit from having this would that make it easier for you to let it go?

• Convince me that you need to keep it.

• Am I putting things before people and relationships?

Financial/Legal Questions

• Does it belong to you?

• Am I legally required to keep it? If so, for how long?

• Is there a tax, or legal reason to keep it?

• Will this help me make money? Will this save me money?

• Would I buy it again?

• Does it take more time and effort to manage than is worth?

• If you were moving, would you want to pay to have it packed and moved?

• What does it cost for you to keep, store, and maintain it?

• If you donate it, can you get a deduction?

• If you sell it, what could you do with the money?