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If you’re decluttering, but you’re stuck with a clutterer in your space…
…try some of these techniques.
- Stop rescuing them as far as practical - don’t find their keys when they lose them, or wait for them when they can’t find a clean pair of pants. Maybe, just maybe, they may get motivated to deal with their own stuff.
- Detach your stuff from theirs - declutter your own stuff, and have spaces which are “yours” (clear and organised) and “theirs” (cluttered)
- Be pro-active - agree ahead of time whose spaces are whose, how you can deal with their mess (bag or box it up, throw it out, move to a specific room…)
- Prepare for chaos - decide how you’ll deal with it when their clutter encroaches on your space, or causes you problems.
- Model decluttering – but don’t force it on the other person: when they see how positive the effects are for you, they may join in.
Craft and Hobby Clutter
If you have a hobby that uses materials, you probably have a “stash”. If your hobby involves equipment, you may have older models or versions. These are prime candidates for decluttering.
Ask yourself:
- will I ever use this again?
- Does it still meet safety or environmental standards?
- Is it still in fashion or totally dated?
- Is the quality up to what I now use?
- Do I still have the tools needed to use or maintain it?
- Is it worth more to someone else than it is to me?
- Has it degraded in storage?
- Could I use the money I’d get by selling it, or the space it’s occupying, better for something else?
- Would it be easy to replace if I ever needed it again?
You may also have information resources for your hobby – books, magazines, videos, CDs etc. More questions:
- Do I have the technology to use/read/play this?
- Is the information still relevant, or outdated?
- Are my skills now well beyond this level?
- Am I still interested in this facet of the hobby?
- Can I find this information elsewhere?
Decluttering your hobby or craft “stuff” can free up space, energy, time or money to actually DO the thing you want to do!