Decluttering can be like yo-yo dieting. All the effort to clean up the house is gone after a few weeks, and with it comes the frustration that we apparently cannot do it.
Didn’t we follow all the great ideas on the Internet, and for a moment our living room looked like this picture perfect home? And suddenly we’re back to square one.
What is missing is the intent. And without clarity about the Why, we invite others and things to fill the void.
We live in a world of consumerism. Everything around us tells that you can buy happiness and personal fulfillment. The average American gets exposed to 4,000 – 10,000 advertisements every day, most of us don’t even consciously notice them anymore. All suggest that you are not complete unless you purchase whatever the companies promote. And let’s not forget the peer pressure from family, friends, colleagues, influencers. Science has a word for it, mimesis. It’s the desire for products not because of their utility for us, but the desire to possess because others do. Let that sit for a moment … think about the last 5 non-essential items you bought.
The key to getting to and keeping a decluttered home and life is to (1) get rid of everything that has no use or does not add value and (2) stop the influx by understanding what is good for us, not good for others. A decluttered home is not an empty space. More so it is your personal refuge where you feel safe and comfortable, surrounded by only the things you love and value. And as such it is individual, as you are unique, and no website or social media can mirror that.
You can start today. Start with a small area, preferably a space you like to relax in. Make it as clean and tidy as possible and be rigorous to keep it this way. Make your bed every morning before breakfast. Put everything in the dishwasher and back into the cabinets every night before going to bed. Habits take an average of 66 days to change. You can do it.