Chip Conley, Author of “Wisdom @Work” said, “Accumulation is for the first half of life, editing is for the second half.”  Looking at all the things I don’t need or use has been eye opening.  Why on earth did I purchase so many shoes?  And dresses?  And jackets?  Since there’s nowhere to go wearing all those items, it was time to re-think (and stare at) my stuff.  

In his book “Stumbling on Happiness,” psychologist Daniel Gilbert says that satisfaction and joy from owning an object quickly wanes.  It’s what psychologists call habituation and economists call it “declining marginal utility.”  As you accumulate more, one’s happiness quotient declines over time. So why do some of us develop strong materialistic values and others don't?  Research indicates that financial and emotional insecurity--lies at the heart of consumeristic cravings. If you care a ton about what others think of you, you might be suscestible to buying more. In addition to that, it’s not money but rather the striving for it, that's linked to unhappiness.

The decluttering process is something many of us avoid - only making it worse.  That might be because it forces us to take a closer look at ourselves. According to Marie Kondo, author of “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up”, she wrote, "The process of facing and selecting our possessions can be quite painful. It forces us to confront our imperfections and inadequacies and the foolish choices we made in the past." 

Visually Disturbing

One study by Princeton researchers found that physical clutter in our surroundings competes for our attention, resulting in decreased productivity and increased stress. 

Piles of paper stacked in a corner may not seem like a big deal but research shows cluttered areas have a cumulative effect on our brains. Our brains like order, and visual reminders of clutter drain our cognitive resources, reducing our ability to focus. The visual distraction of clutter increases cognitive overload and can reduce our working memory.  I’ve often said that if something was out of place or a complete mess that it was “visually disturbing.” I didn’t realize how true that statement was and how we can control it which helps reduce our anxiety and depression.  

When we store too much and hold onto things we no longer want or need, it’s another thing to think about and focus on rather than more important things like relationships.  

Tips for Editing Possessions:

1. Set your timer for 10-20 minutes, and begin "a speed elimination." Move through your home tossing or recycling anything that you no longer want or need. 
2. If #1 is too severe, give yourself a month and hit it room by room or closet by closet.  After 30 days, the burden of owning too much stuff will be lifted. 
3. Choose quality over quantity.
4. Divide your things into four boxes: donate, throw away, keep, and things to sell. If you don’t love it, get rid of it.  Do NOT change your mind and pluck it from the get rid of it pile. 
5. Consider gifting things on a neighborhood “Free Stuff” post - you never know how you might impact another person’s life.
6. Envision your end goal - what will it look like and feel like to get rid of loads of unwanted items and clutter?  As a result of your self imposed “cleanse” how much more accomplished will you feel?