Goodbye Clutter Traps

by ERIN SHARPLIN LOVE  |  erinlove@panachebyerin.com

Have you ever been organized but then look up after a few months only to discover that you are right back where you started? What you don’t realize is that there are clutter traps that sabotage you.  They creep in slowly and go mostly unnoticed until the accumulation of “stuff” is overwhelming.  Clutter can multiply faster than a pair of overactive bunny rabbits, so knowing and recognizing the traps is of utmost importance:

Trap #1 – Accepting freebies from companies.  I know it is tempting – “Buy one, get one free” or “Free gift with purchase,” but if the “free” items are not useful, they are just clutter.  I love a good freebie as much as anyone, but I know when an item’s only destiny is to sit in a drawer.  For instance, I receive at least one free beauty sample a month from a skincare company.   Sometimes these samples are of products that are currently in my routine, so I stash them in my travel section for the next time I go on a trip.  When products are not the ones I use, I donate to someone else or simply toss them in the trash.  Think about it, if I kept every sample I receive, I would quickly run out of room in my travel section, or I would just accumulate so many that I could never actually use them all.  Therefore, they are nothing but clutter.  Avoid this trap by tossing the unnecessary, donating them, or simply opting out of freebies.  

Trap #2 – Buying in bulk when you are limited on space.  Although buying in bulk may save you a few dollars, it is not worth it to use valuable real estate in your cabinets or other storage areas.  Only buy as much as you have room to store.  When you purchase in bulk and don’t have the appropriate space, you will make space in places that you shouldn’t, thus creating clutter.  Avoid this trap by spending the extra dollar to save your space and your sanity.  

Trap #3 – Letting your papers and mail stack up.  I probably should have listed this one first because it is the most common among my clients and can derail even the most organized person.  We are bombarded with junk mail, newspapers, magazines, school papers, notices, bills, etc.  Everyone needs to establish a clear routine for what to do with mail.  The key is to take action as soon as possible to avoid paper pile up.  Toss or file immediately.

Trap #4 – Never purging your collections, closets, and storage areas.  When was the last time you did a complete clean out?  If the answer is not within the last year or two, you have entered a clutter trap!  You must maintain each area of your home and keep it current with what you wear and use.  Otherwise, your home will end up full of stuff that you don’t need.   Take the time to do a yearly purge of all your storage spaces.  Better yet, do a purge every time you go shopping and put the items away! For instance, when putting groceries away, get rid of anything that has expired.  When putting new clothes away, get rid of the same amount of clothes that you purchased.  One way I combat closet clutter is not to allow crowding by keeping a lot of empty hangers. Use only as many as you need to accommodate each item of clothing. 

Trap #5 – Keeping everything your kid has ever done.  I am in the middle of this trap right now, so I understand completely and empathize with how difficult it is to throw sentimental items away.  Since everything my kids do is so cute, I want to keep everything.  Then I realize that I am running out of room in the storage bin that I have created for them.  And this bin is supposed to last their entire school life.  Unfortunately, some things must go.  One way to do this is to ask your children what they would keep and what they could let go.  Typically, this solves the problem for me.  If children, too, are not excited about the prospect of getting rid of something, wait until the next artwork comes in and revisit the situation.  Eventually though, something will have to be replaced.  Another kid item that is hard to get rid of is clothing from when they were babies and toddlers.  The rule in my house is one bin per child for clothing and one bin per child for artwork and other keepsakes.  When those bins are full. something must go, or I must stop collecting.  

Trap #6 – Not having a game plan for items that you want to donate, fix, or give away to friends and/or family members.  Sometimes we wind up with a stack of items that need to be fixed, but we never find the time.  

Remember, make a plan for eliminating these traps or you will end up with clutter again!  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!