Back when we were packing to move, two questions weighed on my mind. [Pun intended.] What are we going to eat this week? And how can we fit into a smaller house? Then the connection hit me. Having too much stuff is just like carrying extra weight. All that stuff and clutter is extra weight we bear.
- What are we going to eat this week?
- How can we fit into a smaller house?
In the same way that carrying several pounds of extra weight is a burden, the burden of carrying around all that stuff is extra weight.
Just as the extra pounds of flab have adverse effects on our body, the extra stuff has adverse effects on our homes, hence adverse effects on our lives.
I wrote before about how Life is better than Stuff, how you have to dust it, pack it, etc. In addition to that, the clutter takes its toll on your well-being. You see it out, not in its place because it doesn’t have a place.
So first it bugs you because it is out, cluttering an otherwise pleasant scene. It is probably in the way. You spilled something on it, knocked it to the floor, maybe even stepped on it. Dissonance.
Then you think about decluttering the space, and you don’t know where to put it. Should I buy a shelf? Should I buy a box? I don’t want to sell it, I got it at that cute, little store in that lovely place I went to that time. Or was it that other place that other time. Dissonance.
Then you go to another lovely place (or souvenir shop at the beach), and you see another cool thing. You really want it. It’s not too expensive, but where do you put it? Your space is already so cluttered. Dissonance.
[special]By the way, do you want to know how I know this?
Excellent, because I’m going to tell you.
I have too much stuff. I don’t know where to put it, and it bugs the heck out of me. Also, I don’t remember what we ate that week. [/special]
Isn’t that bold, red text annoying? All that dissonance is a burden. Don’t carry that weight. Free yourself.
Help me.
Now if I could just follow my own advice…
Tell me about your clutter. Please. Seriously, please comment below with decluttering tips! I’m sure lots of us could use some help.