The Clutter Conundrum: Why You Hang On To Things (and What You Can Do About It)
We’ve all been there: you open a closet door or a drawer, and instead of the well-organized, streamlined space you were hoping for, you’re confronted with a jumble of stuff. Maybe it’s clothes that no longer fit or haven’t been worn in years. Maybe it’s half-used candles, orphaned socks, or a catchall drawer full of batteries, scraps of paper, and pens that don’t work.
Whatever it is, this jumble of stuff—this clutter—can be overwhelming. Not only is it unsightly, but trying to find things in the midst of all this mess can be frustrating (to say nothing of the guilt you might feel about your inability to keep your space tidy).
So why do we hang on to things we don’t use or need? And what can we do to let go of the clutter and create a peaceful, serene space in our homes?
Below, we explore some common reasons why people hang on to clutter and offer some tips for decluttering your home once and for all.
1. Sentimental value.
We hang on to things because they remind us of good times or people we love. It’s hard to get rid of something that holds sentimental value, even if we never use it or even look at it. But holding on to too many sentimental items can make your home feel like a museum instead of a relaxing oasis. If you find yourself feeling sentimental about an item, ask yourself if there’s another way to hold on to the memories associated with it (such as taking a picture of it or writing down your memories in a journal).
2. Guilt.
We also tend to hang on to things because we feel guilty about getting rid of them—especially if they were expensive when we bought them or were gifted to us by someone special. But holding on to something because you feel guilty is silly—it’s not going to change the past, and it’s not going improve your life in the present. If you find yourself holding on to something because you feel guilty, ask yourself if there’s another way to honor the memory associated with that item (such as taking a picture, donating it to charity, giving it to someone you know who needs it, etc.).
Hello, World!
3. The fear of missing out (FOMO).
In our social media-obsessed world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we need everything everyone else has. But just because someone else has something doesn’t mean you need it too. When you find yourself wanting something just because someone else has it (and you have no other use for it), ask yourself if there’s another way to get the satisfaction you crave (such as borrowing it from a friend or renting it instead of buying).
4. We’re already doing everything else
Let’s face it: decluttering can be time-consuming and exhausting, especially if you have a lot of stuff. It can be tempting to just leave everything where it is and hope that someday you’ll magically find the time and energy necessary for decluttering. But putting off decluttering will only make the task more daunting—and your home will continue to feel cluttered and chaotic in the meantime. If finding the time and energy to declutter feels impossible right now, start small by decluttering one room or one drawer at a time.
If your home feels cluttered and chaotic, you’re not alone—many people struggle with letting go of things they don’t need or use anymore.
However, hanging on to too much stuff can make your space feel small and cramped and make it difficult to find the things you actually need. Plus, all that clutter can be overwhelming!
If decluttering feels like an impossible task right now, start small by focusing on one room or one drawer at a time.
Don’t forget: sentimentality is important, but you don’t need every single item in your possession to hold precious memories; consider taking pictures of items instead so you can reduce physical clutter while still retaining sentimental value.
Finally, remember that everyone's idea of "clutter" is different—what works for one person might not work for another person. Trust your instincts and get rid of anything that doesn't bring you joy!
