Clutter clutter clutter clutter clutter clutter clutter clutter clutter clutter

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I admit it.  My desk at home is a mess.  My office is chock-a-block full with stuff.  (That’s even after I gave away some 25000 books this past year.)  My desks at my clients’ facilities are spic and span.  (That has more to do with the fact that I am only at their facilities one, two, or three days a week- and I don’t want prying eyes when I am gone.)

Dorm Room Clutter 1979
Dorm Room Clutter 1979 (Photo credit: The Rocketeer)

My father used to have stacks of papers.  He got four or five newspapers a day- but could only read one or two. So, he saved the rest- so much so that when I was about 5, he had papers that were almost a decade old.  Which I cleared out to make room for my chem lab and train set.

 

(I personally have about 50 magazines at any given moment; but, since I get about 50 a week, that’s not quite as surprising.  I never have left-over newspapers after Saturday afternoon, which is when I catch up, should I fall behind during the week, due to pressing business issues or travel.  )

 

So, I was very interested to read Melinda Beck’s piece in the Wall Street Journal about the science of clutter.  Discussed were newspapers, children’s mementoes, electronics; the gamut of things that can be found in our houses.  And, it was clearly stated that even when we clear things out, we tend to accumulate the same things over and over again, anyway.

 

It seems that this sort of “saving” is related to ADD (attention deficit disorder), OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), or even dementia.  These afflictions render it difficult for those afflicted to make decisions, plan, and/or focus.  But, it could be related to perfectionism, separation anxiety- or, if we save old clothes hoping to fit into them again- body image issues.

 

But, the one comment that hit home was “I might need these someday”.  That’s why I have some of my stuff. But, moving from a six bedroom, six story house to a three story, three bedroom (and small ones to boot) abode was the first step in helping me get rid of stuff.  Stuff that managed to accumulate during the 25 year residence in my last house. (I should admit that over the past two years, many of the papers I had been saving for four decades are now scanned in- requiring no extra space in my new home.)  I even discuss these issues with one of my fellow synagogue friends; he is trying to downsize his collections, too.

 

But, right now, the big issue for me is the collection of photographs that I inherited from my mom and others in my family.  It’s a vicious cycle- I am way too busy to go through the collections and scan in what I need.  And, I don’t want to NOT be that busy, since that means I am not making money….

 

What are you doing to insure that clutter doesn’t take over your abode?

 

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18 thoughts on “Clutter clutter clutter clutter clutter clutter clutter clutter clutter clutter”

  1. This is a subject very close to my heart. I’ve just finished a giant clean out. My family is much like you — lots of books, magazines and newspapers that we don’t have time to read. I’m actually considering canceling my daily newspaper because I’m too busy to read it … then I tackle a stack every two or three weeks. Good luck to you!

    1. Thanks for the comment, Sue Allen!
      I think this is an issue for way more of us than are willing to admit. It sounds like you are getting a handle on it- with your control nearly in sight! Congratulations!

  2. Regular moving is an excellent way to decrease clutter. 🙂 But parting with my books in my move from San Diego to Boise was painful.

    I have a pattern I repeat in my office. It will hit a point where I cannot stand all the paper and I stop until I clean up. Fortunately, that pattern repeats itself fairly regularly. My aging eyes compel me to print out research. At least I recycle. 😉
    Cathy Miller recently posted..LinkedIn Guide on Little Stuff

    1. Thanks for the laugh, Cathy…
      And, it was hard to divest my books- but if I hadn’t used them in a few years, then why did I need to hold them for that some day soon? For occasional use, the library suffices. For routine use, we need the tome.

  3. Interesting reasons for clutter! My dad is a pack rat, so is my husband. I’m grateful to moving which has encouraged my husband to rid himself of things, but yes indeed, the collections always come back!

    1. I am not sure there are every reasons for clutter, Marie. There are excuses. Don’t think I am pointing fingers…unless you see all five are pointed back to me!
      And, it’s why I won’t ever stay in a place for 25 years again. Of course, I probably won’t be alive for 25 more years, either…

  4. I think there should be a dedication plaque on the wall of Goodwill for me, Fran! I probably have supplied their shop with 10% of their wares this year alone 🙂

    That still doesn’t free my house of clutter, though…. Yes, I am with you. It needs to be a once-a-week deal, but I barely have enough time for once-a-month…

  5. Too late, Roy! Clutter has already taken over my office and I was just discussing today with someone what it is going to take to motivate me to clean this place up and clear out the clutter. I haven’t figured out yet what will get me moving… it has gotten to the point of feeling overwhelming!
    Suerae Stein recently posted..Look Out Cape Cod, Here We Come!

  6. Here’s a different perspective. Some people are just hard-wired to collect things. It provides a physical connection from the past to the future. The challenge is to develop systems to manage your collections. It is a problem when it starts to become hoarding.

    1. The hard wiring, Sherrie, seems to be linked to some kinks in our other circuits (OCD, ADD, etc.). You are definitely correct about the hoarding, too. Which is also related to wealth. Bob and Jon both have four cars and 12000 Books. But Jon is not a hoarder, because he lives in a McMansion. Bob, living in a cape cod, is…

  7. Well, in London, houses are small and buying one is hugely expensive. This means that you have to de-clutter all the time -no choice. I use Google docs and Flickr, and there is no coming back. As for children stuff, I give to charity shops. I take comfort in the fact that somebody else will be using whatever I give…
    Muriel recently posted..Gearing Up For The Summer Holidays

  8. Roy – this post made me laugh. I so get what you’re going through, I figured I left everything behind when I sold a farm last year (with more buildings than I care to count – all furnished or full) with a planned move out of state (didn’t make sense to store and/or truck the stuff to a distant location) so sold off, gifted (some to the new property owners), or trashed most, I’ve moved three times since (now I am actually out of state) and can’t believe how much (purging more every time along the way) still seems to shadow me. I used to be able to pack everything I owned into my (80s) Saab. Was thinking I’d get back to those days. Now I’m not so sure :-).
    I will say, though, there is a relief (and some annoyance as I’ve had to replace great quality stuff I didn’t think I’d need) that comes being relieved of possessions weighing you down. My downsizing move convinced me I’ll never do that again (accumulating so much it gets painful going through it all).
    Nanette recently posted..Why are you calling me?

    1. Nanette:
      First, let me readily admit you are MUCH getter at this than I.
      You are right. We accumulate way too much “stuff”. That stuff is not just physical, but replete with emotional attachments…
      Your Saab is calling you back….

      1. Yes, missing the Saab. Sad it joins the list of so many other great built things eliminated due to consolidation (and the planned-obsolescence movement of late that frowns on building anything of lasting value). Not quite ready to shoe-horn everything into my current Saturn (another value car since cancelled) but may be by my next move. There is, of course, something sad about letting go of quality stuff (or memories) that have been with you for decades or more, but there’s also a great sense of freedom that comes with the purge and lifted weight.
        Nanette recently posted..Why are you calling me?

  9. Well my house sale fell through. It has been on the market 21 months so far…. But the silver lining is (yes I MUST find a silver lining) is that I have been anti clutter for many reasons. #1 an any-moment-showing #2 less stuff to move #3 downsizing to 1/2 sq foot. I think the prolonged listing has taught me good habits. They say it takes 3 weeks to form/break a habit. Well damn, I’m there!

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