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Here’s Why You Have A Clutter Problem
Have you considered how much clutter you have in your home? Or do you find yourself cleaning your space but still not making a significant difference? These are questions you must ask yourself if you are yet to accept that you have a clutter problem. Decluttering reduces stress and prevents feeling overwhelmed at home. Statistics indicate that 54% of Americans are burdened with clutter, and a significant percentage lack ideas to deal with the mess. If you identify with this, any of these could be why you have a clutter problem.
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Inadequate storage options
The average size of a typical American home is 2,261 square feet, which is bigger than many homes in parts of Europe. Unfortunately, according to global data, Americans deal with more clutter than other parts of the world. So, what exactly could be the problem? Many households say the American way of living makes it almost mandatory to have bigger spaces – even more than the national average of 2,261 square feet. Indeed, storing items in a space, you consider inadequate can be overwhelming.
The lack of ample room to store all your belongings may cause what has become known as a clutter spillover. This is when people exceed their home’s given space and use any available house area for storage. Therefore, corridors, corners, under the staircase, etc., become likely storage areas when they should not. There is a huge risk of a trip hazard when items are stored in any open space of the home. Perhaps, this led to the increase in external storage options offered by facilities. Almost 10% of the US population currently rents an external storage unit. Fortunately, there are different types of these units to suit different needs. Some offer drive up storage units, while others have mobile, outside, and indoor options. Hopefully, the clutter in your home can be dealt with if you sign up for one of these external storage options.
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Excessive purchases of items not needed
A CNBC news report on consumers indicated that people spent $5,400 on items they do not need. Impulse buying is a reality several people deal with daily. According to behavioral experts, this consumer buying pattern results from countless discount sales, promotions, bargain-basement prices, etc., on the market. They all feed into a vulnerable consumer’s buying habits, making it difficult to stop. While the items you purchase may be cheap, they could contribute to your accumulated clutter at home.
If you live in an average size US home, there’s a possibility that your house is filled with items you haven’t used in a year. One solution to this problem is to sell them. Another is to donate them to charities that may need them. You may have to go shopping without your credit card if the problem is impulse buying. With a limited amount of physical cash for only the things you need, it may be easier to resist the temptation of buying more than necessary.
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Unable to let things go: sentimental value
People keep belongings from several years back because of their strong emotions and memories. It may be items from childhood, a departed dear one or other. A person may sustain a connection with them by holding on to them. Unfortunately, what it does is increase clutter in the house. In many cases, resolving issues of this nature begins by managing the psychological angle.
You can start by first acknowledging the problem and making the decision to bring it to an end. Secondly, set a personal goal to tackle these sentimental items one box at a time. If it helps, restrict yourself to keeping a maximum of three items from the entire lot. Doing this helps you emotionally and mentally detach from these belongings crowding your home.
