Not too long ago, I wrote a post detailing the 3 Things That Will Sabotage Your Decluttering Efforts. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, you can check it out here. Since then, I’ve come up with three MORE things that are certain to derail your efforts to declutter. Are you letting these three things get in the way of decluttering?
Don’t worry, I won’t just tell you what the three {more} things that will sabotage your decluttering efforts are, I’ll also give you a few tips for dealing with them!
3 (More) Things That Will Sabotage Your Decluttering Efforts
1| WELL-MEANING FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS
Without even knowing it, your friends and family members could seriously be derailing your decluttering efforts. Whether it’s dotting grandparents or a well-off aunt, they just can’t help but shower your little one with gifts. After all, it’s how they express their love and devotion. You can’t possibly tell them “No”. Right?
Solution to clutter overwhelm from friends and family members:
Since denying your loved ones the pleasure of purchasing gifts for your son or daughter may not be an option, instead, you can attempt to redirect their gift-giving efforts.
To do this you simply need to approach the saboteur of your decluttering…er that is, whoever is showering your child with an abundance of toys, and politely explain to them that while you are thankful for their generosity, you are in the process of trying to declutter your home. Gently tell the person that you would appreciate gifts of experience, educational consumables, or gift cards instead. Here are some suggestions to get you started:
- An annual pass to the zoo/museum/art gallery
- Tickets to a sporting event/theatre
- A monthly {educational} subscription
- Art/Music lessons
- Pay for sports fees/equipment
- Clothes/Shoes
- Gift card to favorite store/restaurant
- Useful items which support your child’s current passions {ie. saddle for horseback riding, easel/quality paint set for a budding artist, etc.}
Disclaimer: Don’t be too upset if this approach doesn’t work right away. Remember, people don’t change overnight. I have been working on my in-laws for years now!
Related Posts:
- 3 Things That Will Sabotage Even The Best Decluttering Efforts
- The Slow and Steady Decluttering Method
- How to Say “No” {When You Always Say “Yes”}
- How to Declutter and Organize Your Entire Home
2 | BUSYNESS
How many times have you started an ambitious decluttering project when something unexpected “comes up” and you are forced to stop? I get it, life is busy. Plus, when you have kids, their busyness becomes your busyness.
I don’t know about you, but whenever I am faced with an unpleasant task, I will often do anything and everything in my power to avoid it. That is until it’s gotten so out of control I can no longer ignore it.
This is self-imposed busyness and it can really sabotage your decluttering efforts if you let it.
Solution to busyness:
BE UNBUSY!
While some things cannot be avoided {doctor appointments, work, errands to keep the household functioning}, others are completely avoidable {hair/nail appointments, trips just to get out of town, unnecessary kids activities}. Whatever you do, make sure you’re not using your busyness as an excuse to keep you from doing the hard work of decluttering.
If you’re looking for ways to be “un-busy” check out this article from Becoming Minimalist: A Helpful Guide to Becoming Unbusy.
3 | GUILT
When you begin the decluttering process, inevitably, a slew of feelings will begin to surface. Anger, sadness, despair, guilt. The most debilitating of which is guilt. Overwhelming feelings of guilt will almost always sabotage your decluttering efforts. You will likely feel guilty for the money you’ve wasted on unnecessary stuff. You’ll feel guilty for letting your clutter get out of hand. You may even feel guilty for the fact that you’ve indulged your children for far too long.
This guilt can paralyze you and keep you from moving forward with decluttering.
Solution to guilt:
The solution to the guilt you will surely feel as you work your way through the decluttering process is simply to acknowledge your mistakes and move on.
Really, you can’t change the past. You can, however, change your actions moving forward. Be mindful of clutter culprits {emotional shopping, refusing to say “No”, choosing “stuff” over people}, and take steps to counteract them {leave your money at home and “window” shop, say “no” more often, schedule more time with your favorite people}.
3 {More} Things That Will Sabotage Your Decluttering Efforts…thankfully, they are avoidable
READ MORE:
- 3 Things That Will Sabotage Your Decluttering Efforts (Part 1)
- How To Say ‘No’ When You Always Say ‘Yes’
- How To Tell Your Parents You Don’t Want Their Stuff
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