getting rid of your midlife clutter

Getting Rid of Your Getting Rid of Your Midlife Clutter Midlife Clutter

Nancy Recker, Extension Nancy Recker, Extension Educator, FCS, Associate Educator, FCS, Associate

ProfessorProfessorLois Clark, Extension Lois Clark, Extension

Educator, FCS, Associate Educator, FCS, Associate ProfessorProfessor

Are You Living In Clutter?Are You Living In Clutter?

Do You Want to Feel More Do You Want to Feel More Organized?Organized?

Are You Suffering From Are You Suffering From Mid-Life Clutter?Mid-Life Clutter?

• Do you waste time trying to find things Do you waste time trying to find things you know you have?you know you have?

• Do you feel you don’t have enough Do you feel you don’t have enough storage space?storage space?

• Is your lack of organization causing you Is your lack of organization causing you stress?stress?

Why Do People Clutter?Why Do People Clutter?

•Urged to buy things everydayUrged to buy things everyday•Can’t bear to part with a Can’t bear to part with a

piece of the pastpiece of the past•Don’t know where to put itDon’t know where to put it

and so it’s set asideand so it’s set aside

Did You Know… Clutter FactsDid You Know… Clutter Facts• More than 3000 documents can be found in an More than 3000 documents can be found in an

average homeaverage home• Cost of paying late fees and premium prices Cost of paying late fees and premium prices

can amount to 15-20% of a family’s budgetcan amount to 15-20% of a family’s budget• An average household may accumulate 300 An average household may accumulate 300

pages of paper a daypages of paper a day• Average households have 25% more furniture Average households have 25% more furniture

and 75% more toys than they needand 75% more toys than they needSource: Dean, S. (2002, May), Clutter and Chaos. Source: Dean, S. (2002, May), Clutter and Chaos.

Reader’s DigestReader’s Digest, 90-97., 90-97.

More Clutter FactsMore Clutter Facts

• Lack of space is not the cause of clutter Lack of space is not the cause of clutter in the home. Disorganization results in in the home. Disorganization results in 80% of the clutter in most homes.80% of the clutter in most homes.

• In the average home, getting rid of In the average home, getting rid of clutter eliminates 40% of houseworkclutter eliminates 40% of housework

• Americans waste more than 9 million Americans waste more than 9 million hours looking for lost itemshours looking for lost items

Source: www. Orgcoach.net/clutter.htmlSource: www. Orgcoach.net/clutter.html

Midlife ClutterMidlife Clutter

The Challenge . . . MidlifeThe Challenge . . . Midlife• Realizing that life has a time limitRealizing that life has a time limit• Taking stock of what we haveTaking stock of what we have• Organizing, simplifying, downsizing to Organizing, simplifying, downsizing to

give ourselves peace of mindgive ourselves peace of mind• Determining what you want to do with Determining what you want to do with

the rest of your lifethe rest of your life• Completing estate plansCompleting estate plans

Why So Much Midlife Clutter?Why So Much Midlife Clutter?

• Feel guiltyFeel guilty• You might need itYou might need it• It’s hard to let goIt’s hard to let go• Everything we own, every piece of paper has Everything we own, every piece of paper has

its own storyits own story• There just hasn’t been timeThere just hasn’t been time• Don’t know where to startDon’t know where to start

The Definition of ClutterThe Definition of Clutter

• According to Webster the definition of According to Webster the definition of clutter is “Clutter \Clut"ter\, v. t. [imp. & clutter is “Clutter \Clut"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. p. p. Cluttered; p. pr. & vb. n. ; p. pr. & vb. n. Cluttering.] .] To crowd together in disorder; to fill or To crowd together in disorder; to fill or cover with things in disorder; to throw cover with things in disorder; to throw into disorder; to disarrange; as, to clutter into disorder; to disarrange; as, to clutter a room. [1913 Webster]a room. [1913 Webster]

http://onlinedictionary.datasegment.com/word/Cluttered

http://onlinedictionary.datasegment.com/word/Cluttering

Or Clutter Can Be . . .

• Clutter:Clutter:Anything you own, possess, or do that Anything you own, possess, or do that does not enhance your life on a regular does not enhance your life on a regular basis. basis. Orgcoach.net/clutter.html accessed 2/10Orgcoach.net/clutter.html accessed 2/10

• Clutter is a cute word we use to make us Clutter is a cute word we use to make us not feel so bad about our bad habit of not feel so bad about our bad habit of being disorganized and sloppybeing disorganized and sloppy

Organizational StylesOrganizational StylesTime Personality StylesTime Personality Styles

AndAndSpace Personality StylesSpace Personality Styles

Time Personality Styles…Time Personality Styles…Drop and HopDrop and Hop

• Have a number of irons in the fireHave a number of irons in the fire• Thrill of doing something new is Thrill of doing something new is

motivatormotivator• Easily distractedEasily distracted• Want immediate gratificationWant immediate gratification

Clutter Ends Up Clutter Ends Up Where You Drop ItWhere You Drop It

Time Personality Styles…Time Personality Styles…PerfectionistPerfectionist

• Want to have everything just perfectWant to have everything just perfect• Get over-involved with detailsGet over-involved with details• Seldom satisfied with resultsSeldom satisfied with results

Time Personality Styles…Time Personality Styles…Detail DodgerDetail Dodger

• Can’t be bothered with detailsCan’t be bothered with details• Others are forced to pick up theOthers are forced to pick up the

pieces pieces • Appointments missed, details ignored,Appointments missed, details ignored,

and thing forgottenand thing forgotten

Time Personality Styles…Time Personality Styles…ProcrastinatorProcrastinator

• Put things off as long as possiblePut things off as long as possible• Work better under pressureWork better under pressure• Hate to start a new jobHate to start a new job• Do what you like to do and postponeDo what you like to do and postpone

what you don’t like to dowhat you don’t like to do

Putting Off Cleaning Your Putting Off Cleaning Your Basement?Basement?

Time Personality Styles…Time Personality Styles…See-SawSee-Saw

• Go back and forth between “should I” or “shouldn’t I”

• Worry about not having enough information to make a decision

• Let others make important decisions for you

• Don’t like to take risks

Space Personality Styles… Space Personality Styles… SentimentalistSentimentalist

• Never met a memento they didn’t like-or Never met a memento they didn’t like-or keepkeep

• Memories are tied up in thingsMemories are tied up in things• Throwing away is like giving up the pastThrowing away is like giving up the past

Space Personality Styles…Space Personality Styles…Hoarder or Pack RatHoarder or Pack Rat

• You keep everything because you might You keep everything because you might need it somedayneed it someday

• Accumulations are security blanketsAccumulations are security blankets• Feel guilty getting rid of thingsFeel guilty getting rid of things

Of Course it Still Fits!Of Course it Still Fits!

Space Personality Styles…Space Personality Styles…MinimalistMinimalist

• Nothing out in the openNothing out in the open• Clear space means clear mindClear space means clear mind• Hide things from sight and forget where Hide things from sight and forget where

you put themyou put them

Out of Sight..Out of Sight..

Space Personality Styles…Space Personality Styles…All OutAll Out

• Everything needed is out in front of themEverything needed is out in front of them• Waste of time to put things away when Waste of time to put things away when

they’re going to use them againthey’re going to use them again

Space Personality Styles…Space Personality Styles…The PilerThe Piler

• Confuse neatness with organizationConfuse neatness with organization• Arrange things in neat piles without Arrange things in neat piles without

actually putting anything awayactually putting anything away

Space Personality Styles…Space Personality Styles…The Total SlobThe Total Slob

• Totally disorganizedTotally disorganized• More important things to do with life More important things to do with life

than be neatthan be neat

• "Out of clutter, find simplicity.""Out of clutter, find simplicity."--Albert Einstein --Albert Einstein

Clutter Happens…Why Clutter Happens…Why Organizing Systems Don’t WorkOrganizing Systems Don’t WorkMost people fall into one of three groups:Most people fall into one of three groups:

They’ve tried and tried to get organized but never They’ve tried and tried to get organized but never quite succeed.quite succeed.

They used to be organized but something happened They used to be organized but something happened somewhere along the way.somewhere along the way.

They are basically organized but are always looking They are basically organized but are always looking for different ways to improve the system.for different ways to improve the system.Source: Waddill, K. (2201). The organizing source book. Chicago, IL: Source: Waddill, K. (2201). The organizing source book. Chicago, IL: Contemporary Books, 8Contemporary Books, 8

Classify Your ClutterClassify Your Clutter

• Travel Clutter- Souvenirs you got on a Travel Clutter- Souvenirs you got on a special vacation and can’t bear to throw special vacation and can’t bear to throw awayaway

• It Used to Be Important Clutter-Keys that It Used to Be Important Clutter-Keys that don’t work, clothes that don’t fit, toys no don’t work, clothes that don’t fit, toys no one plays withone plays with

• Phony Clutter-posing as a bargain-garage Phony Clutter-posing as a bargain-garage sales, 2 fers-2 for onesales, 2 fers-2 for one


• Inheritance Clutter-Anything someone gave Inheritance Clutter-Anything someone gave you because they didn’t know what to do you because they didn’t know what to do with it-Video collections, Mom’s old disheswith it-Video collections, Mom’s old dishes

• Bequeathed clutter-stuff you get as a presentBequeathed clutter-stuff you get as a present• Rabbit Clutter-clutter that multiplies fast-Rabbit Clutter-clutter that multiplies fast-

Beanie Babies, fabric, needle work kitsBeanie Babies, fabric, needle work kits

What Am I Supposed to Do With What Am I Supposed to Do With Aunt Tillie’s Stuff?Aunt Tillie’s Stuff?

The More You Buy, The More The More You Buy, The More You NeedYou Need


• Imposter Clutter-Clutter disguised as good Imposter Clutter-Clutter disguised as good stuff—musical instruments, outdated stuff—musical instruments, outdated cameras and video equipment, electronicscameras and video equipment, electronics

• Ambiance clutter-Household accessories that Ambiance clutter-Household accessories that you put away after you changed your you put away after you changed your decorating schemesdecorating schemes

• Get-to-it-someday clutter-anything you need Get-to-it-someday clutter-anything you need to fix, finish, or get to somedayto fix, finish, or get to someday

And You’re Saving These Toys And You’re Saving These Toys Because…?Because…?


• Eclectic Clutter- miscellaneous clutter-stuff Eclectic Clutter- miscellaneous clutter-stuff in your drawers you don’t know what to do in your drawers you don’t know what to do with, clothes that still fit but don’t match with, clothes that still fit but don’t match anything else, a lone sock, a lone glove anything else, a lone sock, a lone glove

• Car clutter-fast food bags, empty water Car clutter-fast food bags, empty water bottles, bits and pieces of handouts from bottles, bits and pieces of handouts from programs, kleenex, broken car scrapers, programs, kleenex, broken car scrapers, matchbox cars, old mapsmatchbox cars, old maps

Kids’ Closets…An Eclectic MessKids’ Closets…An Eclectic Mess


• Bob Hope Clutter-Thanks for the memories-Bob Hope Clutter-Thanks for the memories-love letters, honeymoon matchbooks, babies love letters, honeymoon matchbooks, babies first birthday cardfirst birthday card

• Snob Clutter-Crystal vases, silver platters, Snob Clutter-Crystal vases, silver platters, silver tea servicesilver tea service

• Mysterious Clutter- objects you find and Mysterious Clutter- objects you find and don’t know what they are but they must go to don’t know what they are but they must go to something importantsomething important

• Adapted from:Paauwerfully Organized-What is Clutter?Adapted from:Paauwerfully Organized-What is Clutter?www.orgcoach.net/clutter.htmlwww.orgcoach.net/clutter.html

De-ClutteringDe-Cluttering

• How did I get to this point?How did I get to this point?• How much time do I have?How much time do I have?• How much do I have to get rid of?How much do I have to get rid of?• What is my plan?What is my plan?• Where do things belong?Where do things belong?• Put things away.Put things away.

Organizing SystemOrganizing System

• Space• Things• Information• Time• Relationships

Waddill, K. (2001)The organizing sourcebook. Chicago: Contemporary Books.

““Strategies of Reasonably Strategies of Reasonably Organized People”Organized People”

• Make your system fit your own life• Sort and classify• Clean out constantly• Label• Use storage devices to fit your system• K.I.S.S.• Make a decision• Ask for help if you need it• Is your system still working?

Make Storage Work for YouMake Storage Work for You

Store Hobby Items TogetherStore Hobby Items Together

Organizing Year 'RoundOrganizing Year 'Round

• January – Mail in warranties for products you received as holiday gifts. Purge your filing system.

• February – Prepare files to file income tax information. Straighten your desk drawers and toss out the junk.

• Etc.

Get Started Before You Get Too Get Started Before You Get Too Old Step 1Old Step 1

• Take a good look at what you have• If something is working, stick with it• Make a list of everything that needs to be

fixed• What’s important for you to keep• Why do you need to get organized

Plan Your StrategyPlan Your StrategyStep 2Step 2

• Plan around activities in your home• Make a time table for action

A Good Way to Say “No” to a A Good Way to Say “No” to a Request…“I’m Cleaning My Sock Request…“I’m Cleaning My Sock

Drawer.”Drawer.”

GET STARTED!!!!!GET STARTED!!!!!Step 3Step 3

• Go through everything including all piles• Attack what’s visible first to show results• Do one space at a time• Don’t get sidetracked

What Better Way to Start…Go What Better Way to Start…Go Shopping!!!Shopping!!!

What Does This Have to Do With What Does This Have to Do With Midlife?Midlife?

• It’s a time for re-evaluating your life.• Have you accomplished you life long goals?• Is your estate in order?• Where do you go from here?• Who’s going to get your stuff?• How are they going to find the stuff you

want them to have?

The Laws of StuffThe Laws of Stuff

• The more you have, the more The more you have, the more you need.you need.


• The more you have, the more you need.The more you have, the more you need.• Useless stuff crowds out the good Useless stuff crowds out the good

stuff.stuff.


• The more you have, the more you need.The more you have, the more you need.• Useless stuff crowds out the good stuff.Useless stuff crowds out the good stuff.• Dirt and bugs love stuff.Dirt and bugs love stuff.


• The more you have, the more you need.The more you have, the more you need.• Useless stuff crowds out the good stuff.Useless stuff crowds out the good stuff.• Dirt and bugs love stuff.Dirt and bugs love stuff.• Stuff stays where you put it.Stuff stays where you put it.


• Useless stuff crowds out the good stuff.Useless stuff crowds out the good stuff.• Dirt and bugs love stuff.Dirt and bugs love stuff.• Stuff stays where you put it.Stuff stays where you put it.• Stuff multiplies to fill the spaces Stuff multiplies to fill the spaces

you have.you have.


• Dirt and bugs love stuff.Dirt and bugs love stuff.• Stuff stays where you put it.Stuff stays where you put it.• Stuff multiplies to fill the spaces you Stuff multiplies to fill the spaces you

have.have.• Over time, you don’t see your Over time, you don’t see your

stuff.stuff.


• Stuff stays where you put it.Stuff stays where you put it.• Stuff multiplies to fill the spaces you Stuff multiplies to fill the spaces you

have.have.• Over time, you don’t see your stuff.Over time, you don’t see your stuff.• When you have a lot of stuff, you When you have a lot of stuff, you

pay over and over for it.pay over and over for it.


• Stuff multiplies to fill the spaces you Stuff multiplies to fill the spaces you have.have.

• Over time, you don’t see your stuff.Over time, you don’t see your stuff.• When you have a lot of stuff, you pay When you have a lot of stuff, you pay

over and over for it.over and over for it.• Stuff affects your mental health.Stuff affects your mental health.


• Over time, you don’t see your stuffOver time, you don’t see your stuff• When you have a lot of stuff, you pay When you have a lot of stuff, you pay

over and over for itover and over for it• Stuff affects your mental healthStuff affects your mental health• Stuff is valuable only if you useStuff is valuable only if you use it it


• When you have a lot of stuff, you pay When you have a lot of stuff, you pay over and over for itover and over for it

• Stuff affects your mental health Stuff affects your mental health • Stuff is valuable only if you use it.Stuff is valuable only if you use it.• Stuff can’t buy happiness.Stuff can’t buy happiness.

• Adapted from: Georgene Lockwood, 10 Laws of Adapted from: Georgene Lockwood, 10 Laws of Stuff, The Oaks, Menomonie, Wisconsin Stuff, The Oaks, Menomonie, Wisconsin

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