trying to think about this...

why do you feel that people keep clutter? do you feel that says something about our personalities?

Why do people clutter? (aka collect tons of *stuff*)

Many feel *things* make them happy (thus most of us are in debt!). Others try things (say, a stationary excercise bike) and end up not liking them/not using them and into the closet/garage they go.

Others, like me, tend to bore easily and flit from one craft/project to another so get lots of stuff to start with, do a bit then move onto the next interest.

Many folks feel safe and secure surrounded by stuff.

Others are just materialistic. :) Or *hoarders*. My step moms mom was a hoarder...she kept milk jug caps, empty egg cartons, tons of otherwise useless stuff (to her...she was 70+ y/o and schizophrenic). My Grandmother in law (maternal side) still has blankets from when her kid were kids.....over 50 years old most of them are! And ratty as heck. But she thinks that if there's an emergency that the family will come to her place and she'll need the extra blankets.

Me? I like my *stuff* and I like to try new things and I do get bored easily. But now I make more informed and well thought out buying decisions. For instance, I love to sew, but not all the time. I do have a *stash* of fabric and notions but I'm not *in the mood* nor do I have the time to start doing some sewing. On the other hand, I'm about to try needle felting. :) You need to remember this: Is what you plan to get/buy going to be able to be used for something else once it's initial use is expired? For example...I made a kitchen island. When it didn't work for our kitchen in this new place we're in, I took it apart and now the 2 cabinets that were the base to the island are cabinets in J's bedroom for his toys. :) A shelving unit that was used at our last place to hold dvd's now holds books in our office. Our old end tables are now: #1 holding a speaker in the livingroom and #2 part of J's play kitchen in his bedroom.

I also fit into the category of someone who enjoys crafts but bores easily. I usually have multiple projects going at once and do little bits on each one over time. Unfortunately, lately I haven't been at all good about putting away the projects that I'm not actively working on and have messy piles all over the place. I've been really getting stressed lately looking at the clutter/mess everywhere but have had no time to deal with it

My clutter comes from two main sources:

1. The stuff that should be thrown/given away, or sold, that I have not yet had time to get rid of. I have a stack of things I want to list on ebay; a bunch of things to be given away, that I haven't sent to the Goodwill yet; the paper that some into the house that never seems to make it into the garbage can, etc etc et.

2. I have a problem getting rid of things given to me as gifts. Most ly I hate getting rid of gifts from those I care about. As if somehow it is in poor taste, or insensitive to sell the sweater my sister gave me that just doesn't fit right, ot the knick-knacks given to us as wedding gifts.

If it weren't for those two problems, I'd probably have a nearly manageable household, except for the dishes. I hate doing the dishes. ;)

not putting stuff away right away (like the top of my dresser is cluttered) but it's because I have 4 kids who drag stuff all over the house and the baby is crying and I don't have time to put it where it belongs so I put it up somewhere and thus the clutter begins!

The other part is I like to shop. I don't shop retail but rather Goodwill so while I amy not be out as much money I am still collecting stuff!

My DH and I have becomes much better lately and we are almost debt free but we are paying for our past mistakes.

i was so poor growing up,
never had anything so now even
we are better off, i still hoard, just in case :(.

its not good and i am working at it.
i really need a complete mind and heart change,
and get rid of the fear.

pretty sure i will get there
(just a case of how long is it gonna take me lol)

I blame most of our "clutter" on DH & his amazing ability to hide things. He takes stuff out of the house & poof, it's still here, but out of sight, someplace hidden in the garage or store basement.

We've just agreed that we're going to have a yard sale and clear out everything & we mean e-v-e-r-y thing. Should be fun but a bit scary. There are things hidden in the garage that we haven't seen in 5 years (maybe more!)

Chole

I am the queen of unfinished projects.
I learned it from my packrat dad.
I might need it again some day.
I don't have time to spare to declutter because there's so much clutter slowing me down on many levels.
The items are reminders of my old lifestyle/diposable income when I could buy things for *me* just because I liked them and that meant I accomplished more than my parents.
I am not into "dispose & replace" consumerism.

I think what will work best for me is donating or garage-saling. I can deal with someone else getting use of an item now instead of keeping it case I *may* need it at some later date. I can't deal with contributing to our garbage problem and wasting resources and money to replace an item later just because it's not is use now.

I am currently trying to rationalize getting rid of those huge 20 year old speakers. I would like a smaller less intrusive set. But these ones are still good. Not sure the money wouldn't be better spent elsewhere. Who else would want these when you can get something more modern? DH doesn't agree with me on that, says these are better than what's out there now, I find that hard to believe. They'll end up in landfill. Maybe I can decorate them into plant stands? Will the sound kill the plants? Maybe I can remove the innards and turn them into toyboxes?