TSL #010: The 8 Types Of Clutter And 8 Ways To Examine It

Read time: 3 minutes 53 seconds

You can't scroll Instagram without a perfectly appointed home that causes you to wonder, “How? Seriously. How is possible that you can maintain such an organized home? Mine's clean for, like, 5 minutes. And then I lose my mind as it all goes to sh*t."

I'm not here to organize your home or advocate for minimalism. (I'm more of a hybrid gal, anyway: I enjoy the bright colors of maximalism…but I loathe having too many possessions.) I'm here to help you think differently about the clutter in your life.

Here are eight ways to categorize your clutter:

Physical: This is the most obvious and common type of clutter. It's the tangible objects that accumulate in a space: papers, books, clothes…and those “collectibles” you were gifted as a kid (Beanie babies, anyone?). While physical clutter can make a room disorganized, and can make it difficult to find what you need, it also takes a mental toll. Speaking of…
Mental: This type of clutter refers to the overwhelming amount of information and thoughts and sources of stimulation that fill your mind. Mental clutter can make it difficult to focus and can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression. (She said, staring at the 9 open browser windows with ~10 tabs/each on her desktop.)
Emotional: Emotional clutter is the accumulation of negative feelings—guilt, regret, anger, and resentment—that can drain your energy and make it difficult to move forward in life.
Spiritual: Spiritual clutter refers to the accumulation of beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that no longer serve you. This type of clutter can hold you back from personal growth and spiritual development. Beware: it can also fuel an obsession with personal development that can take over your life.
Relationship: Relationship clutter is the collecting of unhealthy relationships or relationships that no longer serve you. In addition to being an emotional drain, it can hold you back from developing new and healthy relationships.
Environmental: Like physical clutter but on a bigger scale, environmental clutter includes items that aren't used or needed. That old, much-loved recliner that doesn't really recline any more? The Magic Bullet blender collecting dust? This type of clutter can make a space feel crowded and overwhelming.
Digital: This one's all about the thousands of digital files, emails, and notifications that overwhelm your digital devices and make it difficult to find what you need. I feel you on this one.
Time: Time clutter refers to the commitments, obligations, and activities that take up too much time and leave little time for rest and relaxation. This type of clutter can lead to burnout and exhaustion. Ummmm…no comment necessary.

What types of clutter are most prominent in your life right now? And more importantly, what can you do about it?

WHAT TO DO

There are a lot of methods out there to help you create space for what matters, but here are some helpful ways to think about your relationship with your clutter:

Buyer's Remorse: You've spent so many resources (time, energy, money) and struggle to let go or abandon the person/place/thing you've invested in…even when it's beneficial to do so. Where's the sunk cost fallacy at play in your life?
Outgrown: Whether it's that too-tight cashmere sweater in your closet, or that too-negative friend in your life, honor your growth. Allow your environment and relationships to evolve.
Aspirational: Pssst…you're probably not going to take up sewing. And that's okay. Use your values as a guidepost for the aspirations you really want to pursue.
Crutch: What are you holding onto because you've given it outsize meaning in your life? (Adults who still use their baby blankets might fit this category.)
Freebie: Oh, boy. The swag of it all. Can we all agree nobody needs another free tote or t-shirt? Politely decline and watch all types of clutter dissipate. Free yo' self.
Bargain: "If 1 is good, 3 is better" isn't always the case. Remind me to tell you about the 3 dates in 4 days had before I met my partner. This adage most often does NOT ring true.
Conversation: As I type this, I'm staring at the three vases on my shelf that I never use.
Nostalgic: Okay, I'm admittedly harsh on this one but if you haven't looked at or used it or connected with it in years, what are you holding on to?