Every one does it. We all hold on to too many things for way too long. The reasons for doing it are endless but it all comes back to you.
The truth is that it is never really about the stuff. Find the underlying cause as to why you are possessed by your possessions and the clutter problem can be solved. The hard part is looking inside of yourself for the answers rather than outside at the chaotic mess in front of you.
One common theme that repeats itself time and time again when it comes to clutter is sentimentality. Every object that you own tells a story. The fear of losing the memory of those stories and therefore, a little bit of yourself, is paralyzing.
Pick your stories wisely. Life experiences do not always require a tangible object to remind you of them. Keeping a balance allows for the important ones to shine through and leaves room for new ones.
Step back and really look at the situation. Assess the damage and find solutions. Start with photographs. After all, a picture tells a thousand words. For example, a photo of you in the prom dress tells a better story than the actual prom dressing taking up space in the back of the closet. At the end of the day, it is just an old out-dated dress that once served its purpose.
Clutter just gets in the way and buries you along with the things that you really want to treasure most. If everything has equal importance, then nothing is really important. The avalanche just continues to roll.
While it may be easier, a clutter problem will never be truly solved by thinking that it is all about the stuff. It is all about you.
For more information on this topic, visit Psychological Reasons for Clutter - Why People Can't Let Go by Laura Leist, CPO.
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