Why I want less clutter

(Even though I never used to care.)

I set out today to write about where I wanted to focus my initial decluttering energy (in the past, I’ve sort of done a bit here and there but not truly finished a space). 

This makes sense, because once I have an idea, I go into ADHD-project-mode (aka, hyperfocus) and just want to DO IT.

But actually, I’m traveling, so I can’t jump straight into the decluttering. Maybe that’s saving me from myself, in a way, because -

I want to do it differently this time, because I want it to stick.

Common wisdom on the internet these days is to “know your why” and create “identity habits.”

For the moment, I’m going to stick to the “what’s even the point” aspect. 

So here goes. Stream of consciousness “why” thoughts.

1. I’m tired of being embarrassed when people come to the door and can see my front hall.

2. I’m tired of CHAOS (FlyLady’s Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome. Talk about amazing acronyms.)

3. Despite being cluttered my entire life, and genuinely not bothered by it personally (aside from how other people reacted) - these days, I actually do feel overwhelmed by it. When spaces are uncluttered, I physically feel more relaxed. (Something I’ve always heard people say about clutter, but not truly experienced before personally.)

4. I want my space to be spontaneous, like deciding we’re going to play a board game and not having to spend 20 minutes clearing a space to play. 

5. I want space to be practical. Need to wrap a present? How are there no flat surfaces around where I can actually put a full roll of wrapping paper?

6. I want my family to be relaxed. They say the clutter doesn’t bother them, but do they really know any different? (The answer, for my kids at least, is no, unless we’re talking about time spent in other people’s houses.)

7. I want one of those roomba vacuum cleaners one day, but my floors have never been tidy enough to make it work.

8. I want to decorate for holidays and other special occasions, but I want the decorations to stand out, not just fade into the general mass of clutter.

9. Even though I know having a cluttered home doesn’t technically make me somehow less as a person, I mean, it sure feels like it does. Especially since my kids’ friends' houses don’t look like mine. (No, actually, they are like pristine. No idea how they are doing it, but my kids have been all over their houses and…. Statistically this is probably somewhat of an anomaly, but it still makes me feel worse.)

I could go on. 

Decluttering is hard. Maintaining is SUPER hard for me.

But, and maybe I should make this a tagline for this blog, 

“Choose your hard.”

Decluttering is hard. But maybe living in a cluttered house is harder.

Side note:

I know it’s not the “right” kind of motivation to do things because of other people’s reactions. But realistically, doesn’t it do something for me when I don’t feel embarrassed and can actually be social in my own home?

Okay, readers, we’ve got this. (I think? Maybe?)