No matter how much you crave control over your clutter, some internal forces make you gravitate toward disorganization. Unless you are aware of them, they can lead you to sabotage any organizational system you set up
Finding the cause of your disorganization and your need to collect large amounts of clothes, toys or food can be liberating, and the first step in recovery from a cluttered home. Here are three obstacles that can get in your way:
Fear of scarcity
People who struggle with clutter might have a deep-rooted need for collection in their lives. They like to surround themselves with lots of stuff.
They buy items in bulk, cook in bulk and save treasures in bulk. They may associate volume with a sense of fullness, comfort, security and identity.
If this describes you, that need for abundance might come from a childhood of deprivation or emptiness. Maybe you never had enough food, clothing, toys, or most important, love and attention.
There is nothing wrong with living a life of abundance as long you have the necessary organizing skills to keep your home functional and clean.
Desire for distraction
Disorganization can serve as a convenient preoccupation to help avoid issues you don’t want to deal with. It could be a family member’s illness, unsatisfying relationships or financial difficulties, et cetera.
Using disorganization as a distraction can be a pattern of behaviour you adopted in childhood to mentally escape traumatic experiences. Yes, children are negatively affected by disorganization and clutter in the home. There are studies to back up the impact of a messy house on children.
One study conducted by psychologists at UCLA showed the relationship between mess and stress. Children living in cluttered homes are fatigued and confused, with no ability to focus on their school work. Therefore, they have higher rates of leaving school early and not being prepared for life.
Another study discovered similar results when messy classrooms were the focus. It showed that children are distracted by too much stuff and are not able to focus on the work given to them. These children tend to misbehave, and display anger and frustration.
Lastly, just like us adults, children also feel anxious and embarrassed to bring their friends home. This can affect their development in every area of their life.
Sentimental attachment
Often, it’s difficult to let go of the things not being used anymore because they have a huge amount of meaning to people. These objects come to represent another time, person or part of themselves that they don’t want to lose.
Sometimes, we project so many different emotions on things based on where we got them, or who gave them to us. It’s especially difficult to part with things given to us by a person who died.
Occasionally, I have encountered clients who are buried under mounds of stuff and an inability to let go. Their grief is so deep and devastating they need additional professional help.
If you are grieving and not able to process your emotions, please see a counsellor.
Ranka Burzan owns a professional organizing company based in Powell River and has written several books on reducing clutter and becoming more organized. For information, go to solutionsorganizing.com.
