Why is it so hard to let go of clutter?

Guilt can play a big role in our resistance to decluttering. “We often feel guilty if we're getting rid of something from someone we love,” says Trager. “It's hard to remind ourselves that a person will still love us, and us them, even if we no longer own this item they gave us.”
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How do you let go of clutter when you can't let go?

15 ways to leave your clutter
  1. Move it. I moved everything (and I mean everything) out of my kitchen into the spare bedroom and would bring stuff back only as I needed it. ...
  2. Shoot it. ...
  3. Host a “Bring your clutter to work” day. ...
  4. Be inspired. ...
  5. Be generous. ...
  6. Don't let it in. ...
  7. Kick it to the curb. ...
  8. One in, more out.
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How do I stop being overwhelmed when decluttering?

Here is the best formula for decluttering large, overwhelming spaces:
  1. Remove the easiest things first. ...
  2. Discard larger items next. ...
  3. Donate items instead of selling them. ...
  4. Break your large space into smaller bite-size challenges. ...
  5. Work until your bite-size piece is completed.
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Why is it so hard to de clutter?

Another reason why it is so hard to declutter is because people find security in owning stuff. If you're someone who grew up without, this is particularly challenging. You begin to view the things you own as a security blanket. You create what-if scenarios in your mind and they become the reason it's tough to detach.
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How do I stop hoarding and getting rid of things?

How to Overcome Hoarding: 6 Helpful Tips
  1. Clean Up Clutter Immediately. ...
  2. Declutter for 15 Minutes Each Day. ...
  3. Throw Away Anything You Haven't Used in the Past Year. ...
  4. Use the OHIO Rule for Mail and Emails. ...
  5. Request Help From Friends and Family. ...
  6. Seek Treatment.
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Clearing Clutter - The Real Reason It's So Hard To Let Go of Stuff



How do I motivate myself to clear clutter?

How to Get Motivated to Declutter
  1. Plan for just 10 minutes. So often the idea of decluttering can create a sense of overwhelm. ...
  2. Have a clear goal. ...
  3. Take action and see the results. ...
  4. Avoid distraction. ...
  5. Make it fun. ...
  6. Plan celebrations & rewards. ...
  7. Get an accountability partner. ...
  8. Consider what you read, watch, & listen to.
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What is the fastest way to clean a hoarder's house?

6 Easy Steps For Cleaning A Hoarder House
  1. STEP 1: Clear out the Trash. ...
  2. STEP 2: Clean and sanitize your floors. ...
  3. STEP 3: Disinfect everything. ...
  4. STEP 4: Scrub down the bathroom. ...
  5. STEP 5: Deodorize. ...
  6. STEP 6: Don't forget the small stuff.
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Is clutter related to trauma?

In most cases, this clutter is directly linked to traumatic events. Clutter could stem from the fear of letting go. This would be especially the case if a person grew up during or shortly after a time of war when people did not have much and had to use everything they had until it fell apart.
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What is the fastest way to clean a cluttered house?

Establish a daily cleaning routine/schedule
  1. Make beds.
  2. Wash dishes/unload or load dishwasher.
  3. Empty trash for kitchen and bathrooms.
  4. Wipe down counters and table.
  5. Put everything away (give it a “home” if it doesn't have one)
  6. Sweep and vacuum.
  7. Put a load of laundry away and start another if needed.
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Why do I feel the urge to get rid of everything?

Compulsive decluttering is a type of disorder that is classified within a broad name, obsessive compulsive disorder, or OCD. Compulsive decluttering is the act of throwing items, or clutter, away, or getting rid of them in an attempt to "clean up" what one with the disorder may think is cluttered.
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How do you emotionally let go of your house?

Tips to Emotionally Detach From Your Home for an Easier Sale
  1. Don't Let Your Emotions Can Get in the Way of Your Sale. ...
  2. Are You Ready? ...
  3. Think of Your House as a Product. ...
  4. Use Your Emotions to Your Favor. ...
  5. Don't Forget About the Non-Physical Aspects of Selling a House. ...
  6. Stage Your Home, It Helps. ...
  7. Selling is not Forgetting.
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How do you start cleaning when you are overwhelmed?

Here are some good places to get started:
  1. The floor - Sit and tidy or sort piles of mail or books, grab a broom and sweep up crumbs, or vacuum the living room rug. ...
  2. The kitchen sink - Wash any dishes in the sink or load the dishwasher, then give the sink itself a good scrub.
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Where do you start when a messy house is overwhelmed?

Where to Begin When You're Overwhelmed by Clutter and Mess:
  • Take care of time sensitive issues. Check for any appointments or activities you may have forgotten. ...
  • Focus on food and clothes first. ...
  • Make a simple morning routine. ...
  • Make a simple afternoon and evening routine. ...
  • Choose one special task to do each day.
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What does a messy house say about someone?

Heightened Creativity

The researchers believed that doing work in a clean and tidy space activates social norms encouraging people to do what is expected of them. Working in a messy space, on the other hand, relaxes that need and allows people to break free of social norms and expectations.
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How does clutter affect mental health?

Clutter can affect our anxiety levels, sleep, and ability to focus. It can also make us less productive, triggering coping and avoidance strategies that make us more likely to snack on junk and watch TV shows (including ones about other people decluttering their lives).
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Does decluttering improve mental health?

If you're looking for an easy way to reduce stress, decluttering your environment may be a good place to start. Getting rid of excess stuff can benefit your mental health by making you feel calmer, happier, and more in control. A tidier space can make for a more relaxed mind.
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Can a cluttered house cause depression?

So many people are living in physical clutter which can lead to unhappiness, stress and even depression.
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What is the difference between clutter and hoarding?

Distinguishing between hoarding and clutter

On the face of it they can seem quite similar, but there is a big difference between hoarding and clutter. While clutter is the result of general mess or untidiness, hoarding is more serious. Hoarding is what happens when somebody is suffering from a hoarding disorder.
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What causes a person to become a hoarder?

Hoarding is a severe psychological disorder where a person gathers an excessive number of items and stores them. The reasons someone become a hoarder include altered brain connections, genetics, stress, OCD, environmental factors and altered levels of serotonin.
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Can hoarding be cured?

“People show significant improvement, but the majority still have hoarding disorder at the end of treatment,” Tolin says. Indeed, while CBT can help reduce symptoms, it appears to be less effective for hoarding disorder than it is for other disorders, such as depression or anxiety.
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Why do I have no motivation to clean my house?

Sometimes, we lose our motivation to clean the house for predictable reasons. Life gets busy with school or work, for instance, and we have a temporary shift in our priorities. Once it's over, though, we sometimes need help easing back into a cleaning routine.
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What to do when you are overwhelmed with housework?

6 Simple Steps You Need to Follow When You Are Overwhelmed by Housework
  1. Step 1: Brain dump. First, get out a blank sheet of paper. ...
  2. Step 2: Decide what actionable thing is bugging you the most. ...
  3. Step 3: Create a task list. ...
  4. Step 4: Give yourself a boost. ...
  5. Step 5: Set a timer. ...
  6. Step 6: Rinse and repeat until things get better.
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How do I get energy to clean?

How to Clean Your Home When You Have No Energy
  1. Start with inspiration. Sometimes when the body feels weak or tired the problem isn't mere exhaustion. ...
  2. Stay fed. ...
  3. Make a list. ...
  4. One step at a time. ...
  5. Use the right tools. ...
  6. Delegate tasks. ...
  7. Establish a 'clean as you go' rule. ...
  8. Clean efficiently.
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How do I stop being lazy and clean my house?

Home Cleaning Tips for the Extremely Lazy
  1. Invest in a few air fresheners. ...
  2. Clean cobwebs with a helium balloon. ...
  3. Tons of storage space. ...
  4. Prevent your blinds from getting dusty. ...
  5. Make a night of it. ...
  6. Hang clothes instead of folding them. ...
  7. Disinfectant wipes are your friends. ...
  8. Keep cleaning supplies around the house.
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Why do I find cleaning so overwhelming?

If you feel overwhelmed when cleaning, maybe you just have too much stuff to organize. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that you cannot welcome new things into your life if you don't release some of the old stuff. You need to begin to purge things from your life.
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