Common Decluttering Mistakes To Avoid Making

You might be surprised to learn that many people unknowingly approach decluttering in ways that aren't quite as effective as they could be. While you may think you understand clutter and the best strategies to eliminate it, you might be spinning your wheels if you're making one of these 5 common decluttering mistakes. Let's chat about these common decluttering mistakes to avoid making.  

Visual Clutter Vs. Clutter-Free Lifestyle

Before we dive in, let me clear up the two different kinds of clutter that often confuse people. That's the difference between visual clutter and excess clutter. 

Visual Clutter

• Primarily impacts the aesthetics of a space.
• Results from disorganization or poor arrangement of items.
• Can make a space feel chaotic, even if the number of items is not excessive.
• Often involves everyday items that are not stored properly.
• Easier to address through simple reorganization and design strategies.

Excess Clutter

• Involves having too many items, beyond what is necessary or functional.
• Can lead to a lack of space and hinder movement or usage of an area.
• Results from accumulating items over time without regular purging.
• Often includes items that are rarely used, outdated, or have no sentimental value.
• Requires more thorough methods, like decluttering and letting go of possessions, to resolve effectively.

So, in a nutshell, when we talk about visual clutter versus excess clutter, we're looking at two different beasts. Visual clutter is all about how things look. It's when your space feels messy because things aren't organized or arranged well. You know, when your everyday stuff isn't put away right, and everything feels a bit chaotic, even if you don't have a ton of stuff.

Excess clutter, though, that's a whole other story. That's when you've got more things than you actually need or use. It's like when your place is packed with items you hardly ever touch, or that don't mean much to you anymore. Tackling this kind of clutter usually means you've got to roll up your sleeves and really dig in, deciding what stays and what goes. It's more about cutting down the quantity, not just rearranging what you've got.

When we're talking about decluttering, it's important that the definition of "clutter" we're using is the latter- related to excess stuff. When you have the right idea, it can help you to avoid some of the following common decluttering mistakes. Let's go through those now. 

#1. Rehoming

#2. Organizing

There's this common mix-up where people think cleaning and organizing is the same as decluttering, but they're totally different things. Organizing is great for tackling that visual clutter – like all that stuff piling up on your counter that's driving you nuts.

But when it comes to dealing with excess clutter, the stuff you really don't need, organizing isn't the answer. Decluttering is about actually getting rid of stuff, not just finding new ways to store it.

I often hear from people who think they've decluttered by just moving things around or getting a snazzier storage system. But really, that's not cutting down the clutter; it's just dressing it up differently. The real deal with decluttering is about letting go of things, not just rearranging them.

#3. Storing

The biggest misconception about decluttering? Storing stuff away definitely takes the cake. Just moving your things to a storage unit, a shed out back, or even dumping them at your mom's or grandma's place doesn't count as decluttering.

Sure, it might feel like you're making huge strides because your living space looks clearer. But let's face it – now you're just filling up a storage facility, and that's costing you month after month.

What's really happening here is you're missing out on the mental freedom that comes from truly letting go. It's easy to cling to stuff and justify paying to keep it out of sight, but you're losing the chance to experience the real joy and relief that comes from releasing things you no longer need.

Letting go isn't just about freeing up physical space; it's about making room in every aspect of your life. Plus, that stored clutter? It's not going anywhere – you'll have to face it eventually. So why put off something that can bring so much positive change right now?

#4. Swapping

Alright, let's dive into a tricky part of decluttering: swapping. This is where things can get a bit confusing, so pay attention!

When we talk about decluttering, it often involves saying goodbye to things that are broken, ugly, bring you down, cause emotional stress, or just mess up your day. Sometimes, though, things we use a lot might just need a better, upgraded version.

Here's the deal: upgrading something that you use frequently and improves your life or your home's look? That's definitely decluttering. 👍 But, replacing things you've decluttered with new items? That's not really helping.

For instance, if you clear out your sweaters and then rush to buy new ones, you're back to square one with the same amount of sweaters. That's not cutting down on clutter. However, if you're swapping out your old, rickety lounger for a new one that doesn't collapse when you sit, that's a smart swap and counts as decluttering.

Just remember, any swapping that doesn't genuinely improve your life or upgrade what you have isn't really decluttering. Keep an eye out for those swaps that don't really add value – they're just sneaky ways of holding onto clutter.

#5. Counter Scraping

Counter scraping is a familiar one for many, and it's often mistaken for decluttering. Growing up, I saw this method used a lot in my family as a quick 'clean-up' trick. But let's be clear: just sweeping everything into a junk drawer, a box, or a random bag isn't decluttering at all (unless that box happens to make it's way to a donation center). 

This isn't about storing things properly. It's more about those moments when you grab a bunch of random, unused items and hide them out of sight instead of actually getting rid of them. Sure, you're clearing the visual clutter from your countertops or tables, but in terms of real clutter? You're just relocating the problem, not solving it.

Think of it like this: it's the same as taking a messy room and shoving everything under the bed or into the closet. It might look clean on the surface, but underneath, the clutter is still there, just out of sight. So, let's not kid ourselves – this method is a big no-no in the decluttering world. 👎

Avoiding decluttering mistakes

In wrapping up our discussion on decluttering, it's crucial to keep these insights in mind to navigate the common pitfalls effectively. Understanding these decluttering mistakes to avoid can make a significant difference in your journey towards a more organized and harmonious living space. Remember, decluttering isn't just about moving things around or hiding them out of sight. It's a thoughtful process of letting go and making intentional choices about what truly adds value to your life.

Whether it's resisting the urge to simply rehome items without really reducing your possessions, being mindful of the difference between organizing and true decluttering, or avoiding the trap of storing clutter out of sight, these guidelines are essential. Moreover, be cautious with swapping items and understand that merely shuffling things around, like in counter scraping, doesn't equate to actual decluttering.

By steering clear of these common mistakes, you'll be well on your way to not just a tidier home, but also a clearer mind and a more enjoyable living environment. Remember, decluttering is a journey, not just a one-time event. With these tips in mind, you'll be equipped to make more effective and lasting changes in your space.