Studies have found that a cluttered space makes us feel overwhelmed and unable to focus. Physical clutter prevents us from using our space optimally while emotional clutter connects us to feelings of guilt. You can make clutter a thing of the past but it starts with recognizing what type of clutter personality you are and learning useful strategies to help deal with that clutter style.
Below are three common types of clutter personalities and some tips to help you organize your home better based on each one. A good rule of thumb is don’t let the meaningless get in the way of the meaningful.
Personality 1 - The Behind-Closed-Door Clutterer
If it is out of sight, is it really out of mind? These are the people who have homes that look organized and clutter free until you open a drawer or look in a closet. Even though the clutter is hidden, they know the clutter exists, which can often cause anxiety. These clutterers avoid major decluttering projects and instead store items in private areas like closets, laundry rooms or basements. “Someday” they will get to it.
The Prescription:
Stay on top of your stuff. Organize regularly to prevent clutter even if it means creating a chore schedule.
Assign everything a home. Avoid items randomly placed in drawers that don’t make sense. This makes it difficult to find what you need when you need it and confusing when it is time to put back items. Empty out spaces and sort all items by category, purging things not needed. Once done, assign a home to each depending on where you will use it and the space required.
Start small. Tackling a whole space may seem daunting so opt for something simpler like pruning out a drawer in your home office or a shelf in a closet.
Personality 2 - The Sentimental Clutterer
These people are drowning in memorabilia. They can’t bear to throw anything away because everything holds some sort of sentimental value. It could be old baby clothes, school projects, or their grandmother’s china. This personality type needs to let go of the material objects and remember that memories live on in the mind.
The Prescription:
Reduce all the boxes of family mementos down to a very limited amount (like 1) containing only the most meaningful items.
Establish limits on your kids artwork and school work. Pick a few favorites and then take pictures of the rest.
Display a few physical items that bring you extra joy when you look at them. Find ways to make them artwork in your home. According to the organizational guru, Peter Walsh, "When you treat the real treasures with honor and respect, it becomes easier to let the rest go."
Personality 3 - The Buyer Clutterer
Otherwise known as a binge buyer, deal hunter or bargain shopper. Does your basement look like a Costco warehouse stocked with three years worth of paper towels or deals too good to pass up? Or if you can’t leave a tag sale empty handed, this might be you.
The Prescription:
Limit bulk purchases and store them in one place. We all bought tp and Clorox Clean Ups during the pandemic to feel safe. Just be wary of “abundance” clutter and stop buying more until you have used up existing supplies.
Live the replacement rule. When you buy a new version of an item you already own, get rid of the old version.
Resist temptation. Don’t bring into your home a deal that is too good to pass up (even if it is free) unless you truly need it or willing to gift it.