My 30 Day Clear the Clutter Challenge ended a little over a week ago, but I’ve been giving myself some time to ponder what I really learned through the experience. Here are just a few things:
1) Space is good.
I cleared out several drawers and cabinets and closets — and some are close to empty! At first, I really didn’t like it. It felt like I needed to put more stuff back in them. It felt so EMPTY.
Remember, I’m used to a lot of clutter. I actually enjoy some clutter (weird, I know). It makes me feel — oh, I don’t know — creative, maybe?!!
Anyway, I have a few of these empty spaces and less-than-stuffed places, and I’m finally starting to get used to it. I actually feel a sense of relief. I’m finding it much easier to stay focused and on-task with less stuff to manage!
2) Memories are not lost just because the mementos are gone.
This is a tough one for me. I tend to associate memories with certain objects, and then, I don’t want to get rid of those objects, because they remind me of that particular time or place. I’m very sentimental, I guess!
As I was sorting through and getting rid of things, this is where the tears came. I can still feel them well up a little as I think about it! Though not beautiful or functional, there were several (and I mean SEVERAL) items I got rid of that begged me to keep them. Okay. Maybe it was just me begging myself to keep them!
For instance, I had this set of Coca Cola bottles. Two from my travels to North Africa, one from my travel to Haiti, and two from my travels to Europe. They’ve been setting on top of the refrigerator gathering dust for years. They didn’t really fit my decor (not that I have a decorating bone in my body — I have talented sisters to help me with that), but I kept them because I associated them with my trips.
I got rid of them. And it was hard.
I’m slowly realizing I don’t need the items to remember my trip. I still have the memories. Just because I purged the items, doesn’t mean the memories vanished!
3) On the other hand, it’s okay to keep some memorabilia.
I think there is a balance. It’s good to get rid of some things, but there are other items I’m just not ready to part with. For instance, the Christmas before my dad died, he gave me this silly little key finder (he gave one to all of my sisters and to my mom – we’re known for losing our keys). Though I don’t use it and it’s nothing beautiful or spectacular, I’m just not ready to let it go yet. I have very few things left from my dad, so I just can’t part with it. (Maybe in a few years…)
Also, there have to be some people who save things, right?!! We wouldn’t have museums, vintage clothing, etc. unless there were some savers among us!!
4) Clearing the clutter is not just about material things.
I’ve been focusing on clearing out the material items, but clutter can be found in other areas. You can find your life cluttered by too much to do and your inability to say no. Maybe you’re spending too much time watching TV or on the internet. That’s a form of clutter, too! Our finances can be cluttered with debt and overspending. Our bodies can be cluttered because we don’t exercise and take care of them!
Actually, the more I’ve worked through the clearing out process, the more I see that my clutter really began in my heart. Clutter is really an internal condition that shows up with external symptoms!
5) Clutter can cause us to lose focus on what really matters.
I made mention to this above, but too much stuff to manage, clean, and fix may cause us to lose precious time with family and friends. It can also serve as an idol — a substitute for God in our lives. Gaining more stuff can give us a sense of security — when really, the only secure thing in life is a relationship with our heavenly Father. All of this stuff is temporary.
The verse I have hanging in my kitchen serves to remind me of this:
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21
I learned so much through this challenge, but at the same time, I still don’t have it all figured out! I can already tell that clearing out the clutter and keeping it out is definitely not a one time event! But I’m thankful to have taken the steps….and challenged myself to really examine the role and purpose of stuff in my life.
Thanks for sharing – what a neat challenge. I’m slowly working through this issue, too before my baby #2 arrives in the fall. Each time I clear clutter from an area, I feel so much freedom and clarity!
It is interesting how that works!! I had never really experienced that before!!
I’m glad you’re doing it before your baby arrives! New ones add even more stuff to the mix!! Blessings to you! 🙂
Thanks for sharing – what a neat challenge. I’m slowly working through this issue, too before my baby #2 arrives in the fall. Each time I clear clutter from an area, I feel so much freedom and clarity!
It is interesting how that works!! I had never really experienced that before!!
I’m glad you’re doing it before your baby arrives! New ones add even more stuff to the mix!! Blessings to you! 🙂
Great article. I am horrible about clutter. I have a very cluttered home and as a result a very cluttered mind.
I definitely miss out on opportunities with friends and family because I’m nervous about my house looking messy. It’s weird though, it doesn’t bother me at ALL until there’s a knock at the door 🙁
Thanks for writing this, it’s given me something to really think about today. I try to be relentless about getting rid of things, but I think losing everything in my early 20’s (tropical storm allison) has made me a bit of a nervous pack rat!
I really do recommend the Organized Simplicity book, but I also loved From Clutter to Clarity. I like that it gives more of the spiritual aspects behind clutter!!
I really didn’t realize how much stress having various piles of clutter was causing me! Only now that I don’t have it, I’m beginning to see how crazy it was making me!! I highly recommend decluttering and cleaning out at least one room — and see how you feel!!
Great article. I am horrible about clutter. I have a very cluttered home and as a result a very cluttered mind.
I definitely miss out on opportunities with friends and family because I’m nervous about my house looking messy. It’s weird though, it doesn’t bother me at ALL until there’s a knock at the door 🙁
Thanks for writing this, it’s given me something to really think about today. I try to be relentless about getting rid of things, but I think losing everything in my early 20’s (tropical storm allison) has made me a bit of a nervous pack rat!
I really do recommend the Organized Simplicity book, but I also loved From Clutter to Clarity. I like that it gives more of the spiritual aspects behind clutter!!
I really didn’t realize how much stress having various piles of clutter was causing me! Only now that I don’t have it, I’m beginning to see how crazy it was making me!! I highly recommend decluttering and cleaning out at least one room — and see how you feel!!
I have clutter issues, too! One tip that I have used (and it worked!) is to take a photo of something that you are having a hard time parting with. We had this wooden high chair that all of our kids used. It was given to us by friends, and they had gotten it from our other friends whose kids had used it. Before passing it on to another family, I took a picture of it w/our 3 kids climbing all over it. We love the photo, and it serves as the momento. Also, maybe we can use the buddy system sometimes…having a friend help us go thru an especially tough area of the house can make it more fun, and help us stay realistic, eg, “you are really going to keep allll those paintings from your 2 yr old?” or “i don’t think you need to keep your fave jeans from high school anymore; that was 15 years ago!”
I think that is definitely a good idea — there might be a few more things I’m ready to let go of if I take a picture!! Thanks for that suggestion. I also think having a friend help you would be a very good idea — ’cause what you see as treasure, they may see differently!
Miss you! I need you to help me go through my house!! 🙂
I have clutter issues, too! One tip that I have used (and it worked!) is to take a photo of something that you are having a hard time parting with. We had this wooden high chair that all of our kids used. It was given to us by friends, and they had gotten it from our other friends whose kids had used it. Before passing it on to another family, I took a picture of it w/our 3 kids climbing all over it. We love the photo, and it serves as the momento. Also, maybe we can use the buddy system sometimes…having a friend help us go thru an especially tough area of the house can make it more fun, and help us stay realistic, eg, “you are really going to keep allll those paintings from your 2 yr old?” or “i don’t think you need to keep your fave jeans from high school anymore; that was 15 years ago!”
I think that is definitely a good idea — there might be a few more things I’m ready to let go of if I take a picture!! Thanks for that suggestion. I also think having a friend help you would be a very good idea — ’cause what you see as treasure, they may see differently!
Miss you! I need you to help me go through my house!! 🙂
You wrote this post months ago, but it’s perfect for me right now. I’ve been doing this throughout the holiday season with my Christmas ornaments and decor. Like you, I am sentimental so it can be hard to let go of things. The key is in knowing WHICH things to keep, and which ones are truly meaningful.
It’s so difficult to let go of some things! I continue to work on all the emotional parts of my clutter! I’ve gotten so much better — especially with the books I’ve read and God has really showed me that I need to invest in heavenly things and not so much in earthly things!
I’m actually planning to post a new 30 day challenge today! It’s the beginning of the year, so I want to declutter my life!
You wrote this post months ago, but it’s perfect for me right now. I’ve been doing this throughout the holiday season with my Christmas ornaments and decor. Like you, I am sentimental so it can be hard to let go of things. The key is in knowing WHICH things to keep, and which ones are truly meaningful.
It’s so difficult to let go of some things! I continue to work on all the emotional parts of my clutter! I’ve gotten so much better — especially with the books I’ve read and God has really showed me that I need to invest in heavenly things and not so much in earthly things!
I’m actually planning to post a new 30 day challenge today! It’s the beginning of the year, so I want to declutter my life!