Why are People So Prone to Clutter?

There are plenty of people who are great at folding bath towels, but are not so good at eliminating old, unused linens. By this I mean, organizing is more than just a neatly folded towel, or a stack of papers, or shopping for containers. Understanding why you accumulate will help you wipe out the problem of clutter.

People are prone to clutter because it’s easier to pile up items instead of taking the time to make a decision to retain or discard.

In our busy work-every-minute world, mass consumption society we live in, people do not realize the amount of time lost to simply locating paperwork, tools, gadgets, addresses, DVDs, flashlights, keys or photographs. Just think about the last time you looked for that warranty or receipt in order to repair or return something? Or how many tape-measures you purchased brand new to replace the one(s) you can’t find?

According to a recent article from Newsweek Magazine, the average American spends 55 minutes a day – roughly 12 weeks a year—looking for things they know they own but can’t find.

Comments

[Paula]

WOW!!!!!! This is me...

I dont know how to "Part" w/ things...clothes,shoes, and STUFFFFFF!!!! THE STUFFFF !!!!

And the truth is I believe that the space is here and it is "Organizable" BUT DAMNED IF I CAN DO IT!! LOL !!!! And to be truly honest...it is a "problem" and I HAVE TRIED, TRIED AND TRIED MORE N EVEN MORE!!!

I havent always been "this bad"....I had somewhat of a "grip" on my impulses and "doool" ideas...(and I really think I do have some crafty ideas that in reality I am incapalble of making or building or creating.)

But on a SERIOUSS note .... I am so clutterd and overwheled that...I CANNNOT DO IT...I don't know if there is some underlying reason or purpose for this madness I am living in (not to mention my family..) I'm sure that they are wondering what the heck...??? Its not like a "complete" disaster...Its clean...but at the same time it's a packratten~clusterball!!! LOL!!! Whew!!! Sorry for like,
the "BOOK"..:) But your blog gives me hope...and at the very LEAST ... Thanks to ya'll..:)....I now know that .."I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS".....

It's common enough to have "Experts" and I do Mean ... "EXPERTS....write about it and HELP.... UNDERSTAND and Best of ALLLL ...."Know HOW to Deal with "Individuals"... pack rat, clutter, can't part w/ anything, impusive "individuals!!

Great blog...Maybe SOMEDAY I wiil get my #*@! together... (prefebly some time "BEFORE" my husband divorces me!!! (Just kiddin') Poor Guy...we DO fight about it alot though!!!

:(

But he loves to much to leave ...But I bet he wishes he could rent a "BIG 'OL DUMPSTER"!! LOL!!! But he won't...Because he loves me... So send me the BEST TIPS, IDEAS, ALL THE 411 that you can!!!! SAVE ME AND UNBURY ME FROM ALLLL THIS CLUTTTER!!! :)

Wishing you Peace and Happiness for all of time!!

:)

Sincerely,

Paula R. Kellner

[John Trosko]

Hi Paula!

So great to hear from you, but your e-mail makes me sad.

I think you know this, but you need major, professional help. On many levels. Your pride (and I mean PRIDE) for this problem is overwealming me. How much "boasting" do you do to your family and friends about your clutter? I may be wrong, but I bet it's enough to create this feeling that the clutter is becoming you, and since people HATE to change, you just keep going, steadily in a way where you don't take any kind of action ever. This frightens me.

What's even more disturbing is that you are putting all your junk in the way of your personal relationships, like your husband. Do you know how that sounds? Awful. Just the fact that you argue about all the clutter around you is reason enough for him to seperate from you, and move out. You did not mention children, thank goodness. If you do, multiply my pressure x 1000.

In your situation, I would research three groups. Messies Anonymous, NSGCD (National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization) and Flylady.net. All in varying degrees, can these groups help you.

You also need to look into your health insurance and get some support through a psychologist. I will not diagnose any illnesses here. While you are very proud of your problem, but I bet you may be depressed. And that requires more than a psychologist.

If you need in-person support, let me know privately and I will see I can get you an organizer in your area. I may also be able to locate a counselor, too. Let me know.

You need an organizer with special training to help you with resources and hands-on support. The above groups (including NSGCD) have certifications for equiping organizers to work with special needs clients. It is going to be expensive for you but you've locked yourself into a corner.

This MUST be a multi-prong approach for you. You must see a counselor, research clutter support groups, get some hands-on move-the-junk-out support, and most of all be clear that your relationships need to be first, not your stuff.

The clutter is a symtom of something bigger. Through this process you will discover that. Once you get it, you must explore it, and continue to keep yourself in check. This could mean putting yourself on a budget to restrict your shopping, and you must limit your hobbies to some simple activities. Those activities must include exercise, being with friends and family and some simple dreaming to picture what life you want in front of you.

Unfortunately, this is not a perfect world and you cannot have what you want.. the clutter, the husband, and everyone's sanity. You must make choices. People die in these sorts of situations, both physically and emotionally. Please move forward and get some help.

All my best,

- John