Clean House
January 26, 2009 by Marci
My kids love the TV show “Clean House”. It’s one of those room make-over shows with an interesting twist. The houses the show goes into have to be pretty well cleaned out before any make-over can happen. I’m not talking dirt and filth. I mean these people have taken the concept of clutter to the highest level. Most homes on these kinds of shows need help with creative places to hide and organize their stuff. The houses on “Clean House” are not simply unorganized, these homes are wall-to-wall junk stacked about 3 feet deep! It’s amazing to think that people can live like that. The show not only helps them get rid of their clutter, but helps the homeowners get to the real issue of why anyone would need 300 pairs of shoes and matching purses (all stored in piles on the bedroom floor) or why power tools should be stored in the living room (under all the laundry and besides the 10 year old exercise equipment that has never been used but now serves as a drying rack/plant stand).
The reason clutter has taken over these people’s lives is basically the same every time. They are using stuff to fill a void in their lives. If not filled, the clutter will come back. The same thing is true for all of us. My clutter may be stuff. Someone else’s clutter may be food, while another’s might be volunteering for everything possible. Clutter never fills voids. It’s just junk that eventually will make us feel worse than before we acquired it. When we learn what that void is that must be filled, we won’t need the clutter anymore.
Comments (5)
Oh good post!! THat is so true!! My clutter is helping anyone and everyone with anything anytime! I never get the idea that NO is okay but I hope that one day I will I’m getting better just not real good yet!
So true. I’m glad you pointed out that not all clutter is “stuff”. Great post!
Hey!
I’ve been working on de-cluttering old papers and things that just hang around for the past couple of weeks! In fact, I’ve been vicious with my purging! It just feels good to get everything all put back it’s place or find a place for something new!
Have to understand here…I moved into my house 1 month before my now almost 3 year old twins were born. So! I didn’t really get to unpack for quite some time. I’m still findingg things that I am wondering why they even moved with us.
De-cluttering – good, good thing!
De clutter is my motto for this year. I’ll start with papers. and maybe actually use the empty file cabinets! I would love to be the person that says “A place for everything and everything in it’s place!” but I am so overcommitted, when and where do I start? cool website.
Jen, my advice is to start small. If you only have 5 spare minutes today, organize your junk or sock drawer. Its amazing how good just that little bit will make you feel. Don’t look at the whole house or even the whole room at the same time. You’ll feel too overwhelmed and won’t even start. Start with a pile or a shelf or a drawer at a time.