Clutter is one of the most common problems people face when organizing their homes. It’s a heavy burden that not only wastes time and space but can also lead to feelings of anxiety and depression. It can also lead to a lot of stress that you might not recognize at first, but it unconsciously creeps up on you and starts to weigh you down.
Before discussing what you can do to get rid of the clutter inside your home, let’s first discuss the reasons why this might have happened in the first place. The first is not having enough time.
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Not Enough Time
Millennials, the most dominant generation in today’s workforce, spend more hours at work than any generation that came before them. They also have more debt and responsibilities to juggle than any other generation. So it’s no wonder they’re the most stressed-out generation in history.
Between work, taking care of their families, and caring for themselves, they barely have time for anything else. So it’s not surprising that their homes are often cluttered because they don’t have the time to clean them up.
More Assets, More Problems
The following reason is that people accumulate more stuff as they age. For example, it’s estimated that the average assets of a 65-year-old American would reach an astounding $266,000! Sure, this includes their home, which might over-evaluate their overall assets, but there’s also all sorts of stuff they might have bought along the way.
Clothes, gadgets, collections, and other things can quickly pile up and create a cluttered environment. And as people age, they become less likely to get rid of these things even if they don’t need them anymore.
Changes in Life
The third reason is that life changes can often lead to clutter. This could be anything from a divorce or death in the family to a change in job or location. These changes can often be sudden and unexpected, leaving people without the time or energy to deal with their belongings.
Sometimes, people might hold on to things because they have sentimental value. But in other cases, they might be too overwhelmed by the change to deal with it.
Whatever the reason, changes in life can often be the cause of clutter.
Now that we’ve discussed some reasons why people might have too much stuff let’s consider what you can do about it.
Storage
Let’s first discuss an option you should consider if you don’t want to get rid of anything just yet: getting storage. Storage can come in the form of a storage unit or inside your home.
If you have a garage, you can think of that as your primary storage unit since it has a lot of space. Install some garage storage cabinets and your set! You’re free to store all sorts of tools, equipment, gadgets, and clothes you might not need all the time. You can also think of using your attic as extra storage space.
If you don’t have a garage, then you can look at getting some storage bins or cabinets to put inside your home. Just make sure you don’t use them as an excuse to keep more stuff than you need. The goal is to declutter your home, not fill your storage space.
Donate
Another option is to donate items that you no longer need or want. This is a great way to get rid of clutter and help others simultaneously. Many organizations accept donations, such as Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Habitat for Humanity.
You can also look for specific donation drives that might be happening in your community. For example, there might be a toy drive for a local children’s hospital or a food drive for a soup kitchen.
Sell
If you’re looking to make some extra money, you can also sell items you no longer need. There are many ways to do this, such as having a garage sale, selling online, or taking your items to a consignment shop.
You can also recycle certain items, such as electronics, which might be able to be turned into cash. Check with your local recycling center to see what they accept and how much they pay.
Trash
And finally, there will be some items you simply have to trash. These are usually things that are broken or beyond repair. But it can also be things that are so cluttered that they’re taking up valuable space in your home.
If you have items that take up too much space, then it’s time to let them go. You can either trash them yourself or see if there’s a local company that will come and picks them up for you.
Clutter can bring a sense of heaviness into your life. But, by following these tips, you can begin to let go of the things you don’t need and make more space for the things that matter to you.