Back when I first started this blog, I tried to keep track of how much clutter was costing me in terms of money. One day I wrote about how simply being cluttered cost me $11.60 and 50 minutes of my time, just because I couldn’t find some serger needles that I misplaced.
Photo by Teresa Boardman
Last night as I was sewing, I broke another serger needle. This happens more often than I’d like, actually. :P
The point is, I reached for a spare needle to replace it and they were right where I was expecting them to be. I did it! I decluttered the area and gave something a proper home and it worked!
This is the goal I am working toward for everything in my home. I’m not even close to accomplishing this for everything yet, but it feels very nice to get some confirmation that the hard work is all worth it in the end.
I know I’ll probably never actually have a home that looks like one of the out of pristine (and often minimalist) homes in Real Simple or Apartment Therapy, but my goal is to end up with a neat, functional, organized home. Everything will have a place, and while it may not always stay there all the time, I’ll know where it goes and I’ll put it back after I use it and it will be there the next time I need it.
Have you recently had some proof that decluttering will all be worth it in the end? Tell us about it in the comments!
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Clutter blocks positive energy. This is the basic knowledge of Feng Shui, which opens our mind to work harder on getting the essential, no more, no less. When I am able to enter my home, check my mail (without having to look for what is new or old), pay my bills right away (and avoid late fees), put the clothes inside the closet or drawers (not around chairs or wherever I can hang them), I know I am much better than before. Removing physical clutter helped me at home. Now I need to declutter my Outlook inbox, my mind, etc…
Clutter definitely costs money! I needed mousetraps and water filters. Off to the hardware store whereupon I ended up spending over $60 on additional stuff that I really didn’t need. When I got home I found SIX mousetraps and a water filter jammed into junk drawers. If that isn’t an example of how clutter is expensive I don’t know what is!!!! Today – I am taking on the junk drawer!!!!
I have to agree, I have had to go to the hardware store and buy items that I knew I already had but could not find.
I’ve done that with water filters too! I hate doing it because they are expensive.
I was doing a plumbing project last week and needed a new shutoff valve for the toliet. I knew that I had several but could not find them, I looked for over an hour, finally I went to the hardware store and bought another for 3.29. It is frustrating when you know that you have something and can’t find it to just run out and buy another. such a waste of time and money. As soon as the weather turns warmer, I am going to organize my shed outside so I can find certain tools and parts when the need arises!!!
I am so sick of wasting time and money like this!!!
Congratulations!
I used to be better at this (everything in its place and easy to find) and vow to get there again. Just can’t stand having to look for something that I KNOW I have…er…somewhere. Great posting Caitlin!
Way to go for making it work!!!!