6 Emotional Challenges You May Face When Tackling Clutter

1. Fear that you may regret letting an item go
Fear can cause you to hold on to unused items that you think you might need someday. But often these items no longer have a useful function – outdated or ill-fitting clothes, sports equipment you no longer use, crafting supplies for projects you’ve abandoned, extra towels and bedding that may be worn that you never use.

These items usually sit untouched in wardrobes, cupboards or garages for years.

Excess belongings can make you feel weighed down and hold you back. Instead of holding on to something on the off chance you’ll need it someday, remind yourself that you don’t need it now and probably won’t in the future.

Stay focused on your goal of living in a clutter-free home. I urge my clients to create a Houzz Ideabook of photos of their ideal home to remind them of why they’re decluttering in the first place. This can help you keep focused on your culling goals.

2. Fear that you may lose something valuable
Many of my clients fear they’ll be letting go of something valuable. To overcome this fear, I recommend they look up the item on eBay to get a realistic sense of its current market value. Many people find they’ve been overestimating the potential sales price of their valuables.

For items you suspect are truly valuable, consider having them appraised. That way you can identify the price at which you would be willing to part with the item, rather than have it continue to take up real estate in your home or garage.

Do you need support decluttering or organising your home? Find a professional organiser and storage designer near you for help

3. Guilt about getting rid of a gift or heirloom
Many people find it difficult to part with an item because of guilt, especially if it was a gift. But professional organiser Marie Kondo reminds us that gifts are simply a way of conveying feelings – and that you can appreciate those kind feelings even if you no longer want to keep the gift.

Parents can also cause adult children to feel guilt. Some parents give their used furniture to grown offspring after buying new furniture for themselves, and their children may feel guilty for not accepting the free gift. These offspring might never establish their own style because they haven’t had the opportunity to make their own choices. Guilt also can come into play when getting rid of items inherited after someone dies.

Family dynamics and guilt are among the more challenging issues you may face when decluttering. A good professional home organiser can help coach you through choices and keep you focused on your goals.

5. Nostalgia or sentimental feelings that make decision-making hard
Not being able to get rid of sentimental memorabilia is one of the biggest obstacles many of my clients face when trying to declutter. Childhood treasures, old books, travel souvenirs, baby clothes and children’s artwork are all difficult to part with.

Fortunately, we can keep images of the belongings we decide to let go. One client boxed up her favourite artwork by each child and bravely sent it off to an online company that took photos of each piece and bound the images in a beautiful book.

Browse more beautiful and organised entrances to inspire your own

6. Feeling overwhelmed
This may be the most common emotional state anyone tackling their clutter faces. Lots of people feel overwhelmed by decluttering and organising and don’t know where to start. Others have a hard time getting motivated because they’re not sure how to sort their items or how to make decisions about what to get rid of. Still, others have no idea what to do with the items they’re ready to part with.

In particular, decluttering a packed garage or storage spaces can be extremely time-consuming. You have to make a huge mess of your possessions before items can be sorted, decided upon and packed away again. For this large task, you might consider hiring a professional home organiser to help if you are feeling overwhelmed or not sure where to begin.