Where Does Clutter Come From?

In my article, “The 411 on Clutter,” we explored exactly what clutter is. Now, let’s look at where clutter comes from.

From what I have witnessed, clutter can come from anywhere!

Wouldn’t you agree?

Personally, I see clutter in my home accumulate the most when my family and I don’t put items back where they belong. Before we know it, coats are in the kitchen; boots are in the workout room; dirty clothes are littering the bedroom floor; and comforters are taking over the living room sofa!

These items in those spaces – for too long – begin to interfere with the order and effectiveness of our household.

What about your household?

Have you witnessed, too, clutter coming from items which are not organized?

Well, Nanci McGraw, author of Organized for Success! 95 Tips for Taking Control of Your Time, Your Space, and Your Life gives a list of sources from where clutter can come.

Nanci says, “clutter comes from things you:

• Use often and don’t put away;
• Bought on a trip;
• Plan to take another look at;
• Got from someone else;
• Got for free;
• Intend to take care of;
• Would like to read;
• Were working on at one time but set aside;
• Intend to give away;
• Want to show someone;
• Don’t know what to do with;
• Feel nostalgic and sentimental about;
• Intend to fix;
• Could use to fix something else; or
• Save because it “might” be worth money.”

What do you think of this list of clutter sources?

I know I was amazed to see the other sources from which my clutter is created.

How about you?

For my household, most of our clutter comes from the sources “plan to take another look at; would like to read; feel nostalgic and sentimental about” along with “use often and don’t put away.”

Do these sources create your clutter, too?

Keep in mind, clutter can come from several sources. When you have an idea of the sources which create your clutter, you have more of a chance to keep it from accumulating and blocking the order and effectiveness of your life.