Clutter = Cash Clutterbug — You are the type who keeps things only because you spent some money on them. The idea of getting rid of anything turns your stomach and you feel you may as well just throw some $20s down the toilet and flush!
Good fix: Give your items to someone who really needs them or a charity shop. Then you know they will go to good use and you have your corner back in your bedroom for a lovely reading chair and lamp.
Sentimental Saver — You feel that you want to keep anything that anyone bought you or made you to show your appreciation and not feel guilty. Throwing away things your children made you or your husband bought for you can be extremely hard, but if we held on to all these things our entire lifetimes, we would be in hoarder hell!
Good Fix: Treasure boxes. Create a different one for each person and only keep your most cherished pieces. Discarding some items does not mean you love a person less.
The “I might need it later” Saver — You won’t throw anything out because you feel that sometime, down the line, you just might need that ‘80s jacket with the huge shoulders and shiny fabric. I think I made my point.
Good Fix: Clean out and put things in piles for garbage, Goodwill and, if you really can’t bear to give up some things, just label them and put them in bags with dates. If you haven’t used them in six months, it’s a good bet you won’t, ever!
Whoever you are in this clutter spectrum, just know there are ways to dig yourself out. But you must first diagnose which personality you are and then proceed with strength to break the chains of clutter oppression.
Kristin McClellan is a professional home stager and redesigner who runs her business, HomeCharmers, with her husband, Nathaniel, a flooring expert and furniture craftsman. They work together to make people’s homes more buyer friendly and help homeowners who are staying enjoy it more. You can reach her at 899-1239 or www.homecharmers.net.