Eliminate Clutter Part 1: The Cost of Clutter and Where Does it Come From?

This post was first published on January 21, 2009.

It’s 7:36 am and I’m already 10 minutes late. Now where did I leave my keys? Where is my wallet? I’m supposed to mail that letter but where the heck are my stamps? I’m starting to get a headache and I’ve not had time for breakfast. Sound familiar? That used to be a fairly typical morning for me about 7 years ago, madly running around trying to get out the door. And then one day it just seemed to hit me right out of the blue: I had too much stuff!

My stuff was everywhere. Closets, drawers, dressers, shelves, tables, bins, boxes you name it, I likely had stuff in it. Stuff that I didn’t really need  but of course I might need it “one day”.

Whether you’re mornings go something like mine did or you hear yourself saying “Don’t touch anything I know exactly where everything is!” the clutter in your life may be costing you more than you realize. Here are some things to think about as you consider your current clutter state.

The Cost of Clutter

• Time. The one commodity that we can’t get back. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. You will invariably spend more time looking for things (keys, wallets, gloves, letters, phone numbers etc.). Then there is the time spent pulling stuff out to see if what you’re looking for is there and then putting it back.
• Money. Missing payments, not cashing cheques, replacing items that have been misplaced can all be very costly and add up in the long run. Some people have so much clutter that they feel the need to build a bigger house, expand a closet, add a shed or even rent storage lockers. These “solutions” to house more stuff than you actually need are pricey.
• Health. The morning I described above still makes me tense up some 7 years later. Clutter can introduce a lot of stress into your life. Your home should be your sanctuary, a place where, at the end of the day, you can relax and unwind. But how can you do that when there are reminders in every room of things that need to be done (Piles of papers that need filing, piles of clothes that need putting away, dishes in the sink, a carpet that needs vacuuming). Even events that are supposed to be fun, like having friends over for a dinner party, become stressful as it can take all day to prepare (this also links into the first point – Time).

But Where Does the Clutter Come From?

• Print. In a society where the term “paperless” is being used more frequently I can’t help but notice an abundance of it and it’s adding to our clutter levels. Whether we print documents for reference purposes, clip newspaper or magazine articles for interest sake, cut coupons to save money these items are of little value if they are not stored in a meaningful way and not readily accessible.
• Purchasing and Giveaways. Accumulating more and more stuff, whether you need things or not, adds to your clutter. Be careful of sales. Suddenly you’re not looking at what you initially entered the store for but instead at what the store wants you buy. And when it comes to freebies…think to yourself do I really need another hotel pen? Or a coffee mug? Also think about where these freebies will live in your home, do they add to the overall vision for that space? Or will they just end up collecting dust and adding to your clutter? Just because it’s free doesn’t mean you need it so don’t feel obligated to “please take one”- what is it costing you?
• Gifts. This is a toughie and one that I’ve struggled with over the years. A gift is invariably something you did not choose but rather something that someone else thought you should have. This makes it difficult to get rid of as there is some irrational attachment to it. Return items that won’t work for you in your space, donate items that cannot be returned and dare I suggest re-gifting as an option?
• Keepsakes. Souvenirs, brochures, tickets all to help you remember a trip likely end up in drawers or boxes a month later taking up valuable space is a closet or cupboard. Unless you actually use these items, say to make a scrapbook of your vacation (and actually make one not just say you’re going to make one), tucking these items away in a box is not particularly useful.

Photo courtesy of ioerro.

See also:

Eliminate Clutter Part 2: 4 Steps To Organize Just About Anything

Eliminate Clutter Part 3: Strategies to Getting Started.