Session looks at de-cluttering home, life

By Rob Vogt

It is something many people battle but have a tough time dealing with – clutter.
On Wednesday, Feb. 19, approximately 14 people gathered at the Claresholm town office to hear Barb Cavers talk about de-cluttering your home and your life.
The lunch and learn was put on by Claresholm and District Family and Community Support Services.
She explained clutter is any object that has outlived its usefulness and isn’t needed anymore. It is an accumulation of things that do not have financial, sentimental, or functional value.
Clutter is often the result of procrastination and avoidance; people give a lot of power to the objects they own; and happiness can come from within them and not from the objects they own.
Clutter can have negative financial, emotional, relationship, and social impacts on lives.
De-cluttering allows people to choose what is important to them; how they want their homes to look, feel and function; have homes that work for them during different phases of their lives; and simplify their lives by simplifying their living spaces.
However, it is not easy, Cavers said. It takes a lot of time and energy, and is emotionally draining and emotionally challenging.
There are benefits for the body that include improved sleep; easier cleaning and reduced allergens; an increase in energy levels; and helping promote self-care.
Benefits for emotions include decreased tension, stress and anxiety; and reduced feelings of emotional overload.
Benefits for the spirit include having a place to “just be”; more ability to focus; and more mindfulness.
Social benefits include creating a welcoming space which means people are more likely to invite guests into their home.
Financial benefits include a potential to save money; simplified grocery shopping; and saving on housing and storage expenses.
Family benefits include having more physical space; it’s easier to maintain routines; there is more time to spend on self and family; it’s easier to clean the house; better relationships; and it’s a gift to family.
There are solutions such as getting rid of some possessions; designating a place for each thing; and becoming more tidy by putting things where they belong.
There are things that make downsizing hard though.
One is that every thing holds a memory. Cavers said it is the heart the holds the memory, not the thing.
Another is the fear someone can use this or that item, but Cavers said they then can be re-purposed, donated or recycled.
The process of de-cluttering allows people to choose what is important to them; choose how they want their homes to look, feel and function; to have homes that work for them during different phases of their lives; and to simplify their lives by simplifying their living spaces.
Cavers then outlined essential clutter rules: If you love it or use it, it’s not clutter; but you only have the space you have; and if you can’t see it, it’s not clutter…or is it?
Cavers said one of the greatest barriers to de-cluttering is the love of shopping, so resist the temptation to buy. If you must shop, try the rule of one in, one out.
Otherwise, save the best and toss the rest. That doesn’t mean actually throwing these things in the garbage, but instead recycle it, give it away, or donate it to a charity.
Re-purpose what you can, but throw out the guilt first. Establish a new mindset where you are being virtuous, responsible and thoughtful in what you do.
Moreover, get the discarded items out of the house as soon as possible.
Also, make sure it’s your own stuff. Start with generic items the rest of the family won’t miss, and give yourself permission to get rid of things you once cherished.
Set priorities, by starting with something simple, quick and easy, such as a drawer, linen cupboard, or bathroom cabinet. Alternatively, start with the area that is really irritating, but break it up into manageable sections.
Establish a schedule by deciding on a day of the week, or a week each month; commit to a specific time; and put it on the calendar.
Finally, break it up and get it done; manage expectations; finish what you start; celebrate success; get help whenever you need it; get rid of culled items now; and allow yourself to back away from difficult decisions for now.
Cavers also offered tips on de-cluttering cupboards, shelves and drawers; closets; and bins.
She then offered ways to turn your trash into their treasures by donating; utilizing second-hand or consignment stores; using Facebook Marketplace, eBay and other online auctions; posting items in the classified section of the paper; and having yard sales, swaps and give-aways.
Cavers also cautioned people that if they are ready to give something up, don’t get hung up on how much they have to get for it.
She then talked about getting ready emotionally and mentally by accepting the fact younger people really do not want most of your stuff; thinking about options and where these things could go; and clarifying fears about letting go.
Once ready, give yourself a set amount of space for those treasures; make sure you know what is in every box or bin; display and archive your treasures; and lose your sense of guilt about gifts.
When dealing with sentimental items ask yourself: do you want to continue dusting/cleaning/polishing this item; is this item taking up valuable space in the house; will not having this item affect the memories you have of this person, place or event; does it mean more to have a de-cluttered home or keep the item; and how else can you preserve this memory?
Ways to preserve memories include photographs of treasured items; a scrapbook; a photo or memory book; and a framed collage to be hung on the wall.
Cavers talked about creative gifting, noting the best gifts come with a story and advising people to be creative in sharing their memories.
She also talked about collections. Cavers pointed out the person has spent a lot of time and money collecting the things they love; no one loves this collection in the same way they do; it will be virtually impossible to sell or give away the entire collection at one time; selling a big collection piece by piece could take years; they have the best connections to sell the best pieces of their collection; and their heirs will inherit a huge problem if the collection is left to them.
Cavers concluded by saying one of the greatest barriers to downsizing to a smaller home is the fear of dealing with the accumulated possessions of a lifetime.
Moving does not get easier by putting it off. The longer the wait, the harder it gets.
Getting rid of stuff is hard to do, but it can become a gift to others in so many ways – and a gift to ourselves.