Organizing Life, Home and Work
The Psychology of Clutter
By Mandie Crawford
Apr 29, 2005, 10:06

Clutter can be defined as anything that takes up space in your world that is not useful to you. In other words all those extras that serve no real purpose. So for each person clutter can mean different things. A nick-knack for some, may serve a purpose in that it may remind them of someone or a moment in time. For others it may just be a dust collector. You are the only one who can really determine the difference.

Clutter not only takes up space in our spaces it clutters up our minds, and muddles our thinking. I am thinking of the times I let my desk get cluttered with coffee cups, papers, new cd's, newly purchased office supplies, mail that is awaiting my attention and those dreaded stick-it notes. Where do you begin when you sit down at a desk like that? Not only can it be confusing to look at, it also prevents us from finding things quickly. Each little pile calls out to us, reminding us that we need to do this or that. Let's face it, clutter can confuse us, distract us and waste our time.

When I am hired to organize someone's home or office, I begin by determining what things are important to the client. In other words, what do they need and what do they love. Everything else is just taking up space. And you would be surprised what people will keep because they are unsure of what to do with things or they feel guilty getting rid of them. And then there are those who just box it up and store it and then forget about it, until they have to move. Then they pay someone to move all the boxes that are semi-labeled from one basement or crawlspace to another!

Your Office
I suggest that every six months or so that everyone who has an office (especially if it is in their home) takes a seat at their desk and just looks up to see what they are looking at. If it is a shelf unit or counter top, survey it slowly, and see what is really on it. As you do so, make a note of everything that you see that no longer serves a purpose or that is outdated. This can include anything form old token gifts, pamphlets that have expired, plants that are 'done' and little piles of stuff that were laid there because you were unsure about where to put them! Take an hour and straighten up the books, purge the papers and trash the little piles. When you get that done sit back down and survey the shelf unit or cupboard. If it doesn't seem a little empty, repeat the process.

Go through your files and purge outdated files, and archive any files that you need to keep as records but are not current. You can actually do this on an ongoing basis. It only takes a few seconds to remove and box a file that needs to be archived. This makes it easier to find the files that you do need.

Get rid of things you have not looked at in one year. Yes get rid of it! If you are afraid to throw it out or donate it, box it and put the contents and the date on the top of the box. If you have not opened the box in six months or one year - definitely get rid of it. By that time you may not even know what you kept the box for.

Don't be a pile-it. Even your inbox or out box can turn into a place to stack things that you are unsure of what to do with. If you cannot think of where something goes, think of what you use it with. Store it in a place near other like things.

Finally for your office, keep your desk clear. Keep your desk clear! KEEP YOUR DESK CLEAR! You can accomplish so much more when you do not have to search for things. If you only have you blotter, planner, telephone and computer on your desktop, you will be amazed at how easy it is to begin whatever it is you need to do. Clutter only serves to facilitate procrastination. In fact it is the procrastinator's crutch.

You will put off doing the important stuff because you just want to 'get at' that stuff. And as you get at the piles you find all kinds of interesting distractions.

So make a point to constantly clear you clutter. An hour every month will save you days later!

Next week - Your boxed up cluttered up basement!

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For more time saving tips, order "When Every Second Counts", Mandie's new book! http://www.simplifylifespaces.com/products.htm

For more information or archived articles visit www.simplifylifespaces.com

If you would like to receive one on one time analysis and coaching or need help get organized from the inside out please contact mccrawford7@cogeco.ca

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