10 Common Lies We Tell Ourselves About Clutter

10. Lie: I’ll get to it tomorrow. Tomorrow will be a good day. I’ll spend all morning sorting, organizing, and disposing of all this stuff. I’ll start with the bills and business stuff. First, I’ll pick up some cute file folders and mark everything by bill type, and then…

Solution: Setting your expectations too high is the demon behind procrastination and lying to yourself about clutter. Saying you’ll tackle everything in one day is a set up for failure. Instead, start small. Instead of saying you’ll create a filing system with custom folder labels, start by just opening the stack of bills that’s sitting on your kitchen counter. You don’t have to pay them now: just open them. Baby steps.

9. Lie: Well, I’ve been trying to give it away, but no one wants it! Seriously, I keep asking my friends if they want to take up soap making, as I have a whole bin of cool soap molds. What about their kids? It would be a fun vacation project…

Solution: When in doubt, throw it out. If you don’t want it, and no one you know wants it, it’s probably a useless item. It’s hard to face the fact that you wasted money on a useless item. Whether it sits unused in your house and clutters your life, or if you throw it away, it’s a waste. My mom’s diet coach says, “Waste equals waste.” It’s true for both leftover food and unused household objects.

8. Lie: If I put it away, I’ll forget about it. But, if it’s out in the open, then I will certainly remember to tackle the project (or pay the bill) and THEN I will put it away.

Solution: If you’ve ever tried to search for an urgent bill in a pile of mail, you know how easy it is to lose important items in piles. I put all of my urgent items in one folder, and write a to-do list on my calendar. I know where my unpaid bills are, and I won’t forget them because I have left myself a note on my calendar.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Suzanne L.

7:40PM PST on Jan 23, 2012

I've learned that I won't die or even get sick if I throw out or give stuff away. If after a time I wish I still had something that I threw out or gave away, I can always find something else that will do the trick. I've learned that except for sentimental things like photos or things I've inherited, that stuff is just stuff. I've learned from plumbing the thrift shops - because I like to -that there is an abundance of stuff should I wish to acquire more of it. I've learned that I really don't need all that much stuff to live well, and that having too much stuff can get in the way of me living well.

send a green star

Marie Therese H.

5:18PM PST on Jan 5, 2012

I've been telling myself for the last 60 years at least that I will get control one day. That lie wasn't mentionned.
It's hopless! I'm to afraid to throw anything out in case I need it again.And it doesn't help that when I do throw something out, I find a use for it the following week. Or that
pieces of cloths I have not worn in years suddenly appeal to me once more!
I am too embarassed to let anyone in. It's hell if I need a plumber or electrician.
I have given stuff away. Most of the stuff that clutters my house isn't good enough to give away and throwing out is just to painful for me! So I'm a slave to my weakness!

Janine F.

9:14AM PST on Jan 5, 2012

thanks I live a fairly cluttered life but try to keep it under control with regular clear outs,but it is dificult with realtives that give you things and then regularly ask about them so you cant get rid even if you dont like it need it or use it. it means to de cluter I have sometimes to consider geting rid of a thing I bought myself because I like it but no one else would miss it, or getting rid of an item I dont like which would offend the person who gave it to me.
Another thing I would say is that I realy regret getting rid of three beautiful laura Ashley dresses after being told that I was kidding mt self if I thought I would ever be that slim again. a year later I had lost the wieght and had nothing to wear all of my clothes were to big and I had no money for new ones. I have now got clothes that fit but I still miss those 3 dresses. you cant beat clasics.

Liora P.

11:22PM PDT on Jul 11, 2011

You CAN give stuff away. Most Cities have a Freecycle Group. Check at Yahoo Groups for your city name and Freecycle, or google your city name and Freecycle.

Samantha H.

4:04AM PDT on Jun 23, 2011

thanks!

Jessica S.

4:51PM PDT on Jun 21, 2011

i am number 10. sometimes i have postponed spring cleaning a day by making a list of steps of what i was going to do. have i ever cleaned by following one of these lists? no! lol

Abbe A.

7:55AM PDT on Jun 19, 2011

What if you've done all that, and your partner won't throw out the bag of catsup and soy sauce packets he's accumulated from fast food forays? I toss stuff when he's not there. It's devious, but when I bring it up, it never gets thrown out, and, frankly, no one misses it.

Inari T.

1:48AM PST on Mar 3, 2011

Sadly, all too true! My trouble is that I start to tidy up, and find myself reading the books and papers that clutter my room!!

Frida O.

1:20AM PST on Mar 3, 2011

I have to admit that I recognised myself in some of these. But I'm getting better! This also helped me see more clearly.

dve d.

12:25AM PST on Mar 3, 2011

noted