5 Reasons That We Don't Declutter and Get Organized

Do you ever feel that you’re getting buried under a mountain of clutter?

Author Andrew J. Mellen has made a career out of helping people reduce clutter (declutter) and get organized. He champions the benefits of decluttering, getting organized, and setting up a routine for staying organized.

Mellen believes that there are five primary reasons that we hold on to stuff. These reasons are all about the “stories” that we tell ourselves related to the stuff.

Review the five reasons that people don’t declutter below. Do you see yourself in them?

1. Sentimental Reasons

Our connections to the world are through our relationships with people, places and things. It is understandable that we assign sentimental value to personal relationships and places.

Things often carry an emotional charge as well. Letting go of something represents a loss, whether it be a relationship with a person, a place, or an item.

At the very least, it’s a change, and to be honest, most folks don’t appreciate change. Loss usually falls into the category of “things that suck,” and grieving the loss may be necessary in order to let an item go.

2. Financial Reasons

Did the item cost you a lot of money, or will it cost a lot to replace it? If it does, then (at first) it might make sense that you don’t want to let it go.

When clients share with me that this is the reason they don’t want to let go of something, I first ask if they believe that they will ever really want the item again. Usually the answer is “no.”

Sometimes, this clarity is all they need to be willing to let go of the item.

I encourage clients to start with small steps like donating books to library. They can always check them out if needed.

I also insist that they do the math. If it is costing them more to store, maintain, or otherwise keep the items, then let go and save the money.

Hanging on to items can also be tied to a poor prosperity consciousness, which is more complicated than these few short sentences can address.

3. It Takes Time to Do

Let’s be honest: most folks realize the benefits to decluttering and getting organized.

But, while we are being so honest, let’s also acknowledge that it takes time, sometimes a lot of it, to get and stay organized! And it’s really not all that much fun. Right?

Look for ways to make decluttering and getting organized more enjoyable. Play your favorite music, send the family away for the day, ask a friend to come over and help, or plan a pedicure for later in the day with your BFF.

4. Entitlement to Free Time

This might be your issue if you believe that because you work hard, you deserve to enjoy your time off without having to spend your free time cleaning.

Recognizing the value in decluttering and staying organized can go a long way towards motivating yourself to take the needed steps.

In cases like this, I suggest to my clients that they consider hiring a professional to help get and stay organized. Also, consider visualizing how wonderful your place will look after you’re done.

5. Responsibility to an Item

If you feel a sense of obligation to an item and what happens to it, it may be harder to let go of it.

Wanting to find a good home for an item and not wanting to waste something are admirable, but if clutter and disorganization are weighing you down, you might need a better approach.

Admittedly, this area poses the greatest challenge for me!

We hear a lot about “Reduce, reuse, and recycle,” these days. I say, absolutely, reduce the amount of “stuff” that you bring into your life, therefore minimizing what you have to deal with.

Reuse what you can, but don’t make a habit of storing stuff because “someday” you might need it. And recycle what you can by giving items to your local church or thrift shop. That creates a win-win-win for you, the charity, and the planet. And who doesn’t love that?

In some communities, you also have access to FreeCycle.org, where you can post items for free and find new homes for them. This is a great way to declutter.

Note: Sometimes the amount of stuff that people hold on to borders on (or qualifies as) hoarding. If you or someone you know might be a hoarder, please seek professional help.

Hoarding is often tied to much more than sentimentality or feeling a responsibility to an item.

In coaching, I often talk with clients about the things that they tolerate and the toll that tolerations take in their lives.

Usually, clutter and lack of organization is a very large part of what they are tolerating. Tolerating things, rather than resolving them, saps your energy at the very least.

I admitted that my weakness related to clutter and decluttering is a sense of responsibility to an item. What about you? Which one of these 5 reasons poses the greatest challenge for you and your decluttering?

Happy decluttering, friend,