Remember, if it works in your uncluttering schedule, to put everything you are trashing or donating into one big pile so you can contemplate the immensity of how much you are getting rid of. It’s depressing (when you realize how much money is sitting there), but it is also liberating when you realize how much money you could be saving and spending on other things if you stop buying more crap that you don’t need.

I had a lot of items that I was going to sell on eBay “someday”, when I got around to photographing them, researching prices, writing up appealing descriptions, posting them, monitoring the auctions, then packing up an mailing the items. Most of these things went to charity when I realized that my time and peace of mind was more valuable than the few bucks of profit I would (or might) make on eBay selling.

However, finding that person is actually more work so you just leave it in the garage.

I’ve described letting go of most of my treasured family heirlooms as my “pre-estate sale!” I was the one who got to make the decisions about how I wanted to part with the stuff rather than leaving it behind and creating a difficult situation like Jude faces.

For some reason, when it comes to our stuff, we either believe we’re immortal so we’ll never have to let it go, or we think that our family and friends will be delighted to inherit all of it, including our kitchen drawer full of extra plastic lids for missing containers and our tattered instruction manuals for things we no longer own.

Of course, I kept some things that I value highly and use, at least on occasion, and a few things that I haven’t “processed” to the point that I can part with them. I know that letting go can be very liberating, so I’m always working on releasing all the stuff I can and trying my best to avoid accumulating more.

But, as Peter said in his book and as Monica said in her comment, there are many reasons that people surround themselves with clutter. Everyone has to work through the problem at their own pace; sometimes professional help can speed things up.

In case you missed it, your interview garnered some buzz at 43folders.

http://www.43folders.com/2007/.....p-clutter/

Nice job!

I was helping my wife clean out my mother-in-law’s attic today. We made quick work of the lot. 4 x-mas tree stands, 10 stereo/computer boxes (empty), Picture frames, an army foot locker, 4 lawn chairs, parts and pieces of an old hammock, kitchen cabinets… the list goes on. After we had things placed in the trash and at the curb, she came out saying, “I thought you were going to let me look to see what I wanted to keep…”
She hadn’t been in that crawl space in YEARS, and didn’t even know what was there. NOW she’s interested. “I might want to move someday and might need some of this…” To which I replied: “Go to Walmart and buy new.” I don’t have much patience for this kind of thing.

I was thinking all along, ‘this is a text book case.’

Nice job on the interview. Thanks for keeping us all focused – and for the right reasons.

I think clutter comes from many sources, including some deeper reasons such as early life trauma, abuse, anger, poor communication, lack of boundaries, etc. And then some causes are situational like Jude’s, which can start out being temporary but end up being the beginning of a negative cycle if not addressed quickly.

Regardless, I don’t think anyone would deny that decluttering creates peace, harmony, and the ability to have a clear mind and create the life you want.

~Monica

“Sanctimonious neatfreaks are unbearable and are usually caught up in their own self-importance.”

It just feels really judgemental. But I do appreciate hearing Walsh’s thoughts on the subject.

- John

Just as clutter can get in the way of honoring and respecting your loved ones’ feelings, so to can decluttering by fiat.

Just because you don’t hold onto clutter for the reasons other people do is not proof that he spouts nonsense; it’s just proof his clients have different problems than you.

Moreover, if you have a lot of stuff from people who died, one might ask why you have chosen to clutter up your home with it. Just because they didn’t take it doesn’t mean you need to hold it. You might reconsider whether or not you have some kind of emotional need to “go through” their belongings rather than just dumping the whole shebang at a goodwill.

I’ve also found that a great companion to Walsh’s book is Getting Things Done, by David Allen, particularly for ideas of how to keep things organized and stay on track after the massive de-clutter and reorganization sessions.