5 Emotions That Chain You To Clutter

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emotions chaining you to clutter

We as people, care about stuff. We get attached to things for a variety of different reasons and this is normal. However, when we become emotional attached to too many things it will lead to clutter and clutter by itself will bring with it a whole host of issues like expense, stress, space and being in a state of disorganization. Let’s look at five emotions that may be chaining you to your clutter.

Sentiment

Are you hanging on to items that used to belong to a loved one? An emotional attachment to items is tough to break. Be assured, you don’t have to keep everything that is given to you, no matter who gave it to you. Determine what’s worth keeping and give yourself the OK to donate, sell or trash the rest. ClutterBGone has helped many clients sift through their sentimental items and create wonderful ways to store or display what’s kept.

Self-confidence

Some people accumulate things to feel good about themselves. The idea of one’s self worth is not determined by the amount of “stuff” they own. Your possessions are not an extension of you. A lot of peoples’ self confidence comes with the items that they own, whether they realize it or not.

Depression

Clutter has a profound effect on our mood and self esteem. A study conducted by a U.S. psychologist confirmed a link between clutter and depression. Sometimes the levels of depression were even higher than in some OCD participants. We all want a neat and organized space but not all of us have the time nor the tools to maintain it. That is where ClutterBGone comes in. We love seeing the changes in moods and outlooks after we have completed projects in many of our clients’ homes.

Boredom

What do a lot of people do when they’re bored? emotions chaining you to clutterThey go shopping! Shopping has almost become a sport. Have you seen the malls on weekends? If you go shopping when you’re bored, you know you’re going to be purchasing items that you really don’t need. Make a point of jotting down exactly what you’re going shopping for and stick to that list. Better yet, keep your hobbies, books, music, whatever you like to do, nearby. Spend time with the family doing things. Make a list of things you want to do when you get bored and start working on that list by yourself or with friends and family.

Frustration

Clutter creates frustration. Trying to find something in your disorganized closet or walking into a room full of clutter can create a feeling of complete frustration. Or maybe you have organized a room only to see it disorganized again a days later. We see this all the time and have the experience and tools to get your clutter under control and keep it that way.

If you recognize any of these emotions when it comes to clutter in your life, then it is time to bring in a professional organizer to help. ClutterBGone has been serving the GTA for over 7 years now and would love to help free you from the emotions of clutter. Just contact us here to get started.

 

The Negative Side Of Clutter

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Clutter is negative

I doubt that anyone has ever thought of clutter in a positive way. Even the real hoarders would admit there is nothing positive about clutter. Clutter affects our lives in a host of negative ways. Let’s look at the negative side of clutter that has a negative impact on our lives.

Clutter Frustrates

Your looking for something that you need now. It’s important and needs to be found. Having to sift through clutter is time consuming and annoying. It raises your frustration levels and anxiety, neither of which are good for your health.

You’ve started a project outside and its starting to get late. You need something you know is in the garage. With all the items that you’ve put in the garage you have a tough time finding it. Dinner is ready, the kids need to be fed and you still haven’t found what you need. Again, frustration sets in ruining the rest of your evening.

Clutter is distracting

Clutter keeps you off your A game. It distracts you.clutter is negative Clutter and disorganization at work reduces your productivity. You spend more time looking for things and less time actually working on that project with an impending deadline. How many of you have started working on one thing only to get distracted once you start sifting through clutter that is around you? Not very productive is it?

Clutter is disruptive

Few things impede forward progress like clutter. It kills momentum in its tracks. In the distraction of looking for what you need, you get side tracked into tending to another issue or losing interest in the one you needed to complete.  Often times, that momentum is hard to get moving again in the right direction.

This happens everywhere. At the office. In your bedroom closet. Your desk. The kitchen. Every time you have to sift through the clutter to find what you’re looking for, you lose momentum. This often leads to another unfinished project left hanging over your head.

Clutter costs you money

Over 20% of North Americans can’t locate their bills and end up paying late fees because of it. Over $1 billion is not redeemed annually because of gift cards that can’t be located.clutter is negative Talk about a waste of money. Your time is worth something too. The average person wastes almost an hour a day looking for items that they have. What else could you do with that time? Are you one of the millions that rents an outside storage locker for items that can’t be stored at home? Being disorganized can hit you right in the pocketbook.

So, you see, there is a lot of negativity surrounding clutter. ClutterBGone has seen firsthand the effects of clutter and has helped many clients eliminate their clutter and create a system to stay clutter free. Give us a call at 905-642-5669 or contact us here to discuss how we can reduce the clutter in your life.

 

Obstacles To Being Organized

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organizing obstacles

If you have ever tried to reduce clutter in your life and get better organized, you may have noticed some obstacles that may have gotten in your way. Or maybe you didn’t realize why you couldn’t get organized. Here are some of the obstacles you may, or may not be, aware of that keep you from getting organized.

You are blind to your own clutter

You may be so used to the clutter in your life that you just don’t see it anymore. Clutter accumulates every day and its very difficult to see it grow when you live with it daily. An extra set of eyes may be all that is required to get your space organized and clutter free. So many of our clients have told us that they couldn’t have done it without us.

You lack a system to stay organized

Living in an organized space is like everything else we accomplish – it requires maintenance. organizing obstaclesOnce you have reduced clutter you don’t want it creeping back in. A system needs to be in place that works for you and enables you to maintain a clutter free, organized space. At ClutterBGone we don’t come into your home or office and just reduce the clutter and organize your space. We leave you with a system that works for you. We look at how you live and operate and leave you with a system that enables you to maintain a clutter free and organized space.

You don’t know where to start

Is your home or space so disorganized that you are having a tough time getting started? Do you start but can’t finish because it seems so daunting? That is where a professional organizer can help. We come in and assess a space to determine where to start. We can be as hands on or as hands off as you want. If you don’t know where to start maybe you just need a little coaching.

I’m too busy

Are you really? If you really want to reclaim your space, live a more organized life, find things easier or just have friends and family over again then you will make the time or make the investment to get organized. It really can change your life.

You aren’t an inherently organized person

We hear this a lot from most of our clients. organizing obstaclesMost of our clients aren’t really organized, that’s why they call us. If you aren’t organized, then help is just a call away. If you can’t fix your car you call a garage. If you don’t have time to clean your house you call a cleaning service. Getting organized is no different. If you really aren’t an organized person, then give us a call to help.

There really doesn’t have to be any obstacles to keep you from being organized. At ClutterBGone we have come across all the obstacles and have overcome them all. We can help you too. Just contact us here or call us at 905-642-5669.

Clutter And Seniors

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clutter and seniors

We recently received a request from a person who wanted to discuss the effects of clutter on seniors, specifically Diogenes syndrome.  Diogenes syndrome, also known as senile squalor syndrome, is a disorder characterized by extreme self-neglect, domestic squalor, social withdrawal, apathy, compulsive hoarding of garbage or animals, and lack of shame. Clutter can have a dramatic impact on the lives of seniors with 1 in 20 seniors having tendencies consistent with hoarding. I think you will find her blog to be interesting, especially if you have a senior in your life.

Watching Out for Diogenes Syndrome in Seniors

It can be very hard to part with things we think we may need in the future, yet learning to let go of what we don’t have room for, is one of the first steps to a neat, tidy and hygienic home. If you have an elderly relative and you notice that they tend to hoard things, it’s important to understand that this can be very common; studies show that around one in 20 seniors have hoarding tendencies. Sometimes hoarding behavior can be extreme, or be accompanied by self-neglect, social withdrawal, and squalor. If so, your loved one may need specialist help, often a combination of pharmacological and psychological treatments, closely related to treatment for obsessive-compulsive treatment.

When does Hoarding Amount to Diogenes Syndrome?

Diogenes syndrome is characterized by the above-mentioned behaviors, in addition to a lack of ‘shame’ or sense of embarrassment about these extreme behaviors. clutter and seniorsIt was coined after Greek philosopher, Diogenes, a Greek philosopher (412-323 BC) who expressed contempt for social organization and promulgated the advantages of a lack of shame. It can exist on its own, or be a secondary effect of mental illnesses such as depression, schizophrenia, dementia, or alcoholism. It is also commonly associated with Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior (OCD)

Diogenes syndrome, which has an average onset age of 75, can be very hard to deal with for family members of affected seniors, since it is accompanied by an inability to attend to basic needs such as nutrition and hygiene. In very extreme cases, it can result in anemia, skin conditions and malnutrition. Seniors can also pose a fire risk for themselves and others, which is why it is important that seniors obtain professional help if extreme hoarding behaviors and other symptoms are noticed.

Hoarding can sadly involve animals; rescue organizations often find cats, dogs, and birds hoarded in homes, as well as dead animals buried beneath furniture and other hoarded items.

How to Help those with Diogenes Syndrome

Because seniors with extreme hoarding behaviors tend to be socially reclusive, it can be very difficult to convince them to see a doctor to obtain diagnosis and treatment, but efforts should be made in this sphere, since treatment can be life-saving. clutter and seniorsTests carried out when this syndrome is suspected include cognitive and malnutrition tests. Specialists will help set up a management plan, which may sometimes lead to institutionalization if the person is mentally ill or has dementia, legal interventions to determine competency, and the involvement of a public guardian or trustee. Experts always aim to balance the right to autonomy with responsibility for the affected senior. If possible, the person is sent home, but cognitive behavioral therapy and other treatments are usually prescribed, and affected seniors are encouraged to start making small changes that can increase in scope as time goes by. When hoarding is severe, family members should abstain from forcibly entering their loved one’s home and throwing things out, since Diogenes patients become increasingly depressed by this type of invasive action and begin hoarding new items in a short space of time.

Diogenes Syndrome involves much more than being untidy or collecting things; it is an extreme behavior which most often occurs in individuals aged 75 or above, and which can be accompanied by other illnesses, including dementia. The consequences of Diogenes Syndrome can be severe, but invasive action should be avoided, since it can worsen symptoms. Seniors should be gently referred to specialist services, so that treatment can begin as soon as possible.

Our guest blogger is Cassie Steele. Cassie lived through this with her parents and is now the content editor for a small senior care and information website. For more information, here is a link to her guide on this topic – https://www.shieldmysenior.com/diogenes-syndrome/

ClutterBGone has assisted many seniors with reducing clutter, downsizing and life transitions. Contact us here to see how we can help your loved ones.

The Valuation Of Possessions …

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There is a difference between the value of an object and how it actually fits in your life. One of the challenges that I face when working with my clients is their idea of what is valuable.  This usually occurs when we are paring down possessions and a client is hesitant to let something go because of what he or she paid for it and what it was worth in the past.    For instance, I have a client who is holding onto a very old dining room set she and her ex-husband acquired over 25 years ago. Their marriage ended 12 years ago and she has since moved to a much smaller home in which this dining room set is much too large for the dining room itself.  In fact with the set in the room there is actually no room to move around so the room and the set are effectively unusable. In addition, she identified that she dislikes entertaining and having people over for dinner so to have a dining room set does not even fit into this client’s life.

The space could be better used in a way that reflects her lifestyle. Yet she does not wish to let go of this set because she paid over $20,000.00 for it in 1988 and it is still in very good condition.   If you ever find yourself saying “hey, I paid a lot of money for that” you are evaluating the object based on its past value, not the present value.  If the item is of no use to you now and not important to your present life, the fact that you paid a lot for it doesn’t change the fact that it is taking up valuable real estate in your home and actually costing you more in terms of time, energy and space to store, clean and maintain.  Why do this when you get no benefit from it when you could actually sell or donate the item to someone who could benefit from it.

 

What are you holding onto that is no longer a benefit to you?