If we don’t use something or don’t love it, it becomes clutter.
We often cling to our belongings for no good reason other than ownership. We forget to consider the true cost of keeping things. It’s not about the money we spent on them (which we won’t get back just because we keep them).
The real cost is the cost of keeping.
Physical clutter takes up space in our closets, cabinets, garages, or even storage units. It also takes up time. We spend time sorting, searching, and organizing. As The Minimalists say, “Organizing is well-planned hoarding.”
There’s an emotional cost too. We’re constantly reminded to clean up and get rid of things, over and over again. This takes time away from things that truly bring joy and fulfillment to our lives.
There’s a term for this: the “Endowment Effect” or “Reluctance to Trade.” It states that we value an item more when we already own it than we would pay for it if we were to buy it. This ultimately leads us to keep unnecessary things because we overrate their true value.
Do your own math. When you think “enough is enough,” you’re ready to start decluttering. We’re here to help.