I'm writing a press release about how people end up with clutter.  I would like input from everyone here about this, and appreciate lots of postings in this thread about this matter.

At the end of your posting, please let me know if it's okay to quote you and use your name.

Thanks!

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Clutter is not about stuff.  It is about security, and one's ablilty to provide.  If you have everything somewhere in your home, you will always be able to provide for whatever moment comes.  When self esteem and security come into your life, then clutter can change into order.  Conversly, when order comes into your life, then self esteem and security can feel welcomed.

You can quote me:  Michelle Parsneau

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Interesting point, Michelle -- people hang on to stuff because they feel they might need it some day, and it's "somewhere" in their house to give them the security of that.  But really, when people go to look for that item that's "somewhere" in their house, can they really find it?

So, the question arises, do they go buy the item again because they can't find it, thereby accumulating duplicate items that are all over producing "clutter?"

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I hear ya, Cathy.  Letting go is not the easiest thing for some people to do, but I don't often hear that people are sorry later for getting rid of things.

Do you feel you got rid of things you'd need or that had sentimental value, like a true momento of something?  I usually don't advise people to get rid of cherished memorabilia, yet too much of it can just be a lot of past significance we don't need in our current lives.

Aside from memorabalia, things can always be replaced, if need arises.  Moving often gives us a fresh start to streamline our belongings.

Have you gotten rid of something important that you need now?

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