The 411 in the mess

Disorder.

We all have it. It is not like this?

We can’t seem to get away from that.

It affects different aspects of our lives. Right?

For some of us, clutter rules our world more than others.

Once clutter starts piling up, it seems hard to break through the ever-growing piles and piles and piles of stuff in our living rooms, bedrooms, garages, basements, and office spaces.

However exactly is it clutter?

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary gives definitions of clutter when used as a noun or a verb.

When used as a noun, clutter is defined as “a cluttered or confused mass or collection.”

When used as a verb, clutter is defined as “filling or covering with scattered or disorderly things that impede movement or reduce efficiency.”

Both definitions let us know that clutter, a scattered or disorderly collection of things, lacks order and reduces our effectiveness.

Two good perspectives on what clutter is, don’t you think?

Here’s another to consider.

Nancy McGraw, author of Organized for Success! 95 tips to take control of your time, your space and your life he says, “at the center of all the clutter are things — trinkets, paper, souvenirs, books, household items, etc. — that are either no longer needed or needed but disorganized.”

When I think about the clutter I see in my home and office, I have to admit that my clutter fits these descriptions.

How about your mess?

Have you realized that it consists of trinkets, paper, souvenirs, books, household items or things that you want to keep but need to find a more organized system to store them?

Or have you discovered that your clutter consists of trinkets, paper, souvenirs, books, household items, or things you no longer need but must find time to throw away?

I’m right there with you. I’ve realized that my clutter needs to be better organized or finally disposed of.

However, isn’t it hard to throw away the things you think you need or want?

Those trinkets I got as a gift; papers from the children’s art collection; vacation souvenirs; books meant to be read; household items needed for later; or anything you want to hold on to because you may need it, they’re hard to throw away!

Wouldn’t you agree?

Perhaps the best thing you can do is find a better way to organize the clutter. Get new containers. Find an extra drawer. Add a new shelf.

That should do it right?

Wrong.

If the goal is to eliminate clutter, the clutter will simply remain. Sure, it would be better organized, but it would still exist in our space, possibly impeding our effectiveness.

Here is our challenge, now that we know exactly what is clutter, we must find a way to use this information to order our lives.

I know how I will use it, how about you?