If only decluttering were as easy as snapping your fingers, we'd all be living in pristine spaces. Unfortunately, for many of us, the influx of items into our homes seems to outpace our efforts to clear them out. In this blog post, we'll delve into the common mistakes people make when dealing with clutter, particularly when it comes to clutter that seems to be ever-expanding.
Mistake 1: Leaving Things in Bags, Plastic or Envelopes
One of the most common mistakes is leaving items in generic bags, envelopes, or plastic. The problem with this approach is that our brains struggle to decipher the contents of these non-descriptive containers after a day or so. This can lead to the accumulation of a daunting pile of items, such as conference bags or paperwork bags. Resist the urge to add another bag to the pile, as it can quickly become a vague category of "stuff" where finding a specific piece of paper becomes daunting. To manage clutter effectively, take items out of their 'shells' as quickly as possible. Remind yourself what it is and why you have brought it into your home, then decide where these items should go.
The Solution: Unpack Bags Straight Away
Unpack bags immediately and assign a proper place for each item. This prevents clutter from growing rapidly and ensures each item has a designated spot.
Mistake 2: Not Having a Home for Items
One reason clutter accumulates is the absence of a designated home for items. When we don't have a predetermined spot for something, we tend to leave it "here" and deal with it later. To counteract this, create specific storage spaces for like items. This can be an enjoyable aspect of organising, as you get to choose aesthetically pleasing boxes or files to give your belongings a visually appealing final resting place.
The Solution: Create ‘Homes’ for Your Items
Identify like items and establish dedicated spaces for them. This not only helps in decluttering but also adds an element of order and visual appeal to your living spaces.
Mistake 3: Procrastination — “I’ll Do That Later”
The habit of putting things off until later is a significant contributor to clutter. "Later" often turns into tomorrow, and tomorrow never comes. Instead of delaying the inevitable, make it a habit to unpack your bag and put things in their rightful place as soon as you get home. This simple practice can save you from the chaos of dealing with a mountain of items meant to be addressed "later" at the end of the week, month, or year.
The Solution: Put Things Away Straight Away
Break the habit of procrastination by putting items where they belong right away. Often this can be done in 30 seconds. This not only streamlines your daily routine but also prevents big, time-consuming tasks from piling up for the future.
How to Avoid These Decluttering Mistakes: Quick Checklist
Unpack bags, envelopes and plastic as soon as you get home
Remind yourself what each item is and why you brought it home
Give every item a designated home
Put things away straight away. It often takes just 30 seconds
In summary
By avoiding these common mistakes and using practical solutions, you can take control of your clutter and create a more organised, enjoyable living space. Remember, the key is to address clutter promptly, give each item a designated home, and break the habit of procrastination to maintain a clutter-free environment.
Note: part of this article was originally an Illawarra Mercury article updated and refreshed in 2023
Ready to get serious about decluttering?
How to Organise Your Home and Paperwork takes you beyond the basics, with a step-by-step system for your home and paperwork
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Leaving things in bags, plastic or envelopes, not having a home for items, and putting things off until later. Each one lets clutter build up faster than you can clear it.
-
Usually because items have no designated home, so they get left 'here' to deal with later. Choose a specific storage space for like items, and put things there straight away.
-
Make it a habit to unpack your bag and put things in their place as soon as you get home. It often takes only 30 seconds and stops a big, time-consuming task building up.
