20 Lies About Clutter We Tell Ourselves
Nov 08, 2023
This topic might be a little bit unpopular because I’m talking about ways that we lie to ourselves about our clutter. But I want to offer you another way to look at something that feels insurmountable. Being surrounded by clutter can feel like that is just the way it is and the way it has to be. But I don’t believe that is ever the case.
If you feel like the thought of decluttering is impossible check out , where I talk about the fears and excuses that hold us back from letting things go. Understanding the stories that we tell ourselves over and over again is powerful because these are the stories that keep us stuck and lower the ceiling on what we’re able to accomplish inside our space.
Lies About Clutter
#1. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it
Ever found yourself saying that before? I know that it’s a really common belief, maybe one of the biggest lies about clutter that we have. But a lot of the things that we hold on to just in case are not things that we’re going to usually be needing. They end up just taking up all of our space in our drawers and cabinets and it detracts from our daily ability to enjoy our space. Clutter can feel overwhelming and paralyzing. Does it really make sense to fill your home with clutter just because you may hypothetically need it someday?
#2. Going clutter-free means that I’ll need to get rid of _____________.
Sometimes when people think about going clutter-free they think “I’ll need to get rid of my art collection” or “I’ll need to get rid of these sentimental items”. That isn’t true! If you’re using something or you’re actively getting joy out of it, it’s not clutter. There’s no reason to think that getting rid of clutter means that you can’t have things that you truly love and get value out of.
#3. It is wasteful to get rid of things that are in good condition, even if you don’t like them
It seems wasteful to let go of something that has value. But is it more wasteful to give something of value away to somebody else who could actually use it? Or to sell it for some kind of monetary profit, even if it’s not the same amount that you spent on it initially? Or is it more wasteful to shove it up in a closet somewhere and just hold it for the sake of holding it? You’re paying for this space that you’re using. So, if you’re using all of this space for things that you’re not using, then it’s kind of a waste of money in itself, right?
#4. I’m not organized enough to be clutter-free
People who are super organized, or even borderline OCD, might seem like they would be great at decluttering. But I think that a lot of times, those people have more difficulty getting rid of things because they’re so great at organizing the stuff that they have which makes it really easy to hide things in the back of all of their organizational systems. I personally am more into super simple, in-your-face types of organization systems, and then just keeping the things that you want and need inside of those spaces.
#5. I can’t go clutter-free with kids
This is one that personally irks me a bit! When I first started decluttering, I was a single mom. It was just me and two little girls. I think that the whole idea that “if I have kids, I can’t be clutter-free” is just clearly not true because I was able to do it. And in fact, it made my life as a mother so much easier!
I suffered from anxiety, depression, and unpredictable energy patterns and I wanted a space that was going to support me when I had depleted energy. If you’re feeling extra stressed and chaotic, that’s all the more reason to declutter and get some of the stuff out!
#6. I’m not a clean freak
A lot of people just assume that because you’re clutter-free you must also be a clean freak. I used to have this banner that said “Minimalism. Because I hate to clean,” and that is so true! I am not a big fan of cleaning. Sometimes I might get in the mood to do some spring cleaning, but it’s not something that I wake up every day eager to do. I don’t think that people have the right idea whenever they are saying, “I’m not a clean freak, so I can’t get rid of the clutter”. Well, because you’re not a clean freak it would do you well to get rid of the clutter because you’re going to have less stuff to clean!
#7. It’s rude to get rid of gifts
What if someone comes over to my home and they ask to see the giant purple vase that they got me for my birthday in 2015? This is a really considerate and sweet concern to have. But by allowing these thoughts to dictate what you keep in your home you are adding all of these stories and layers to something that really is a very simple fact; I have this belonging in my home and I’m not going to use it. Therefore, I’m not going to allow it to take up my space. The thought is what counts and hopefully, the people who give you gifts feel this way too. Once a gift is given to you, it’s your belonging to do with as you please.
#8. I can’t declutter because I have low energy/I’m sick/I’m elderly
All of these different reasons are very valid. This is one of those lies about clutter that feels a little off because there definitely are medical conditions or disabilities to factor in, but there is always something that can be done. Maybe something that you can do is look for somebody who’s looking for a little extra cash and just see how much they’re willing to help you clear out for $20. Or if you can’t afford to hire somebody to help out like that, then there’s always organic decluttering.
It’s very limiting to say, “because I have low energy I just don’t have enough time to be able to bust through this whole task so I guess I can’t do it”. Instead, try thinking, “how can I do this?”. It is still possible. It just may take a little extra effort and it may take a little extra time. But the struggle does not equal defeat.
#9. I’ll always have clutter because I have ADHD
It is a legitimate struggle to have constant distractions and it can really slow down your progress. But it helps to remove those distractions to allow you to focus on the things that you’re trying to focus on. Think about how can you make this process work for you! It may be that you need a little bit of a different system, or that you need baby steps. Maybe you need to just completely shut yourself in a room and put a sign on the door that reminds you of the tasks that you want to complete before you leave the room.
ADHD and clutter can be a real challenge! But I don’t think that we should let any kind of life struggle or life circumstance hold that much power and make us feel defeated.
#10. Decluttering is only worth it if everybody is on board
If you have a significant other who is constantly bringing in things and undoing your progress, it can be very frustrating, but you can still make progress! I’ve spoken to so many students who have started the process of getting the clutter out and their spouse just followed suit. One of the biggest lies we tell ourselves about our clutter is that we can’t declutter because everybody’s not on board it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy because you’re not trying new things. There are always other methods. I have an entire strategy on what to do when your significant other isn’t on board.
#11. I just don’t have time to declutter.
A lot of times we have cycles of busyness and then cycles of downtime and that’s totally normal. It’s the way the seasons, nature, and the world works! We have times that are busy, but again, there are always options. There’s the option to temporarily hire some help who is looking just for a little extra cash on the side. Some kid who likes to do babysitting, but is also cool with coming over and helping you go through a few boxes.
Another thing that I think is really big and impactful is doing something like habit tracking and understanding when you have more time inside of your day and planning decluttering projects around that. When you create a space that isn’t distracting because it doesn’t have clutter, it invigorates and energizes you. You’re able to be more productive and you’re actually saving time. So, think about the return on investment. Instead of thinking, “I don’t have the time to get the clutter out”, think “do I have the time to not get the clutter out?”.
#12. I need more storage.
You don’t need more storage you need less stuff. If we go through our homes with this thought pattern that, “If my storage is bursting at the rims, I don’t need more storage, I need less stuff.” it’s really going to put a different light on things. It’s going to spin things around for you and you’re going to see that you actually do have more things that you could get rid of, and maybe you actually don’t need more storage right now.
#13. I’m too sentimental to let stuff go
I will say, I am not the most sentimental person when it comes to belongings. I kind of worked my way out of that many years ago, but I still have things that are sentimental. If you watched my video on my ultimate guide to de-cluttering papers, I show you my entire memory box full of letters that the girls had written over the years.
There’s nothing wrong with being sentimental, but where this becomes a problem is when people start to over-identify everything as being sentimental. If everything is sentimental, then nothing is sentimental. We sabotage our space by holding onto and identifying too many things as being sentimental, even things that really aren’t.
#14. Being clutter-free means that your space has to be cold and boring
I did my own home tour last week where I share that my goal is to create a space that feels cozy but is still a clutter-free space. And it’s absolutely attainable! I’m not sure why so many people feel that clutter equates to comfort.
#15. Decluttering is always overwhelming and paralyzing
Feeling overwhelmed is the number one thing that leads to people not taking any steps towards decluttering. In reality, there are tons of strategies that you can use to keep the process from being overwhelming. Take baby steps. Use organic decluttering, or take a program like Clutter Cure that walks through the mindsets and the emotions-free checklist in the different areas inside of your home.
#16. Clutter-free means no joy
…what? I’ve definitely had people mention that “if you don’t want to have anything to make you happy, then be sure to go clutter-free.” I think it’s so silly that people think that! The whole reason that you would want to get the clutter out is so that you can enjoy the things that actually are worthy of your enjoyment and not have to feel like you’re constantly just picking up things that you’re not even using.
#17. I’m too broke to go clutter-free
I don’t really understand this because if you’re not using the things, how does that impact your financial status to discard them? If anything, if you’re able to sell some of those things, you could actually have a stream of income coming in! Especially if you have a super cluttered home or an entire basement full of boxes. Think of how much stuff you could potentially sell! I myself have made quite a bit over the years on posting things that I’m not using onto OfferUp or Facebook marketplace. This is one of those lies we tell ourselves about clutter based on our money mindset.
#18. Decluttering isn’t eco-friendly
There are some things that can’t be donated or recycled that do inevitably need to be trashed. But there are so many things that can be recycled or given to somebody else who can use it! I have an entire article on specific ways that you can discard your stuff responsibly.
#19. You lose a part of yourself when you let things go
Matt told me that when he was younger, he had an issue with even getting rid of a nickel because he knew that he would never be able to see that exact nickel again. Often, people attach to the permanence of letting go of something. The idea of having something like that, that is a permanent change is just scary to a lot of people in general, but that doesn’t mean that letting go of those things is in any way going to cause you to lose a part of yourself or even to lose a memory.
#20. I have anxiety or depression, which keeps me from creating a clutter-free space
Even to this day, I still struggle with anxiety all the time. I don’t struggle so much with depression, but I understand what it’s like. If this feels like it resonates with you, there are ways to plan around it. I have a video on minimalism and mental health that you might want to check out!
Habit tracking is an amazing way to find out when you have more energy and when you tend to have less energy. Then plan around those things and prepare in advance for the times when you inevitably are going to have lower energy. Those who have anxiety will eventually have days or weeks of highly anxious times and your energy will plummet and you’ll have to rest and take time. When you do take those downtimes, you’re going to have a space that doesn’t totally fall apart when you need to take that time for yourself.
Are There Lies About Clutter You Catch Yourself Saying?
I would love to know, down in the comments, what are some lies about clutter that you find yourself believing or saying? Chat next week!
Hi, I'm Mia Danielle.
