Nostalgics
These
sentimental types save things for memory’s sake or out
of obligation, whether to the giver of a gift, a
deceased relative (to respect their passing), or even to
the idea of a hobby they’ve long since given up.
*One space
clearing solution: Set limits on the space you devote to
your nostalgia.
*One
maintenance strategy: Reevaluate your stuff yearly and
ask yourself whether your possessions are helping you
grow. If what you are holding, tethers you to the past
in a way that is more limiting than meaningful, let it
go.
Waste-nots
Waste-nots
hesitate to get rid of “perfectly good” objects despite
the fact that they are broken, out-of-style, outgrown,
or unused. Some do so out of concern for the environment
and others equate clearing clutter to throwing cash
away.
*One
space-clearing solution: Recognize the difference
between functional and useful. Just because an item
works, doesn’t mean it belongs in your life. Donate it
to charity; sell it online, or at a garage sale.
*One
maintenance strategy: Repeat the process at the start of
every season. Keep a sell or donate box visible to
encourage you to streamline.
Time
crunchers
Darting from
room to room in a flurry of activity, Time crunchers
leave themselves little time to stop and put things away
properly.
*One
space-clearing solution: You may have every intention of
cleaning up, but by scrambling to do 10 things at once,
nothing gets done. Devote just 15 minutes right now to
one task such as folding your laundry.
*One
maintenance strategy: Devote five minutes a day to
putting things back where they belong. Do this as soon
as you get home at the end of the day.
Procrastinators
Procrastinators
let everyday things like laundry and dirty dishes
accumulate. They also put off bigger tasks like cleaning
out the garage or putting the summer clothes in storage,
opting to deal with them “later.” Later never comes.
* One
space-clearing solution: Write out a plan of what to
tackle when. Work in stages, committing to one large
clutter related task. Reward yourself with a non-clutter
related activity.
*One
maintenance strategy: Start a habitual habit: sort
through your mail as soon as you get it. Load the
dishwasher right after dinner (or breakfast or lunch.)
Anything that becomes routine, becomes easier. And by
keeping the little things in check, the big things don’t
become necessary…
Go Getters
These ambitious
individuals keep catalogs, class schedules, pamphlets,
business cards and other informational sources around
the house, planning to delve into them later. They’ll
also save unread magazines and newspapers for months,
not wanting to “miss” anything (but never finding time
to read them).
*One
space-clearing solution: Think in terms of shelf life.
Recycle any newspapers more than a week old; magazines
more than a year old; catalogs more than a season old.
*One
maintenance strategy: Tear articles out of a magazine,
instead of saving the whole issue. Same with newspapers.
Keep files of different types of articles such as:
physical fitness, home improvements, new recipes (send
me the quinoa ones...) or whatever your personal
preferences are.
Stub Savers
Letting go of
bank statements, pay stubs, receipts, warranties, and
other financial documents is nearly impossible for these
accountant types, so the paper piles up endlessly.
*One
space-clearing solution: Organize your files so that you
can easily find a category such as bank statements,
store receipts, church donations. Color code or
alphabetize them. Tech-savvy types can scan them into
CD’s.
*One
maintenance strategy: Use online bill-paying services,
shred credit card offers right away, file proactively.
