What is clutter? This maybe an easy question for some to answer and a harder question for others.
Clutter comes in many forms. Physical, mental, financial and digital clutter and you may be able to add more to the list.
Several years ago, I came across Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria’s (ARCV) three C’s. You can look at them and their website here.
I feel the ARCV three C’s it is a fantastic and constructive way to explain clutter. And how clutter can move from a small pile to a serious problem. The information below is from the ARCV website.
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Clutter
Clutter is easily shifted and is part of a lively, sometimes disorganized life. Some people are disturbed by small amounts of disorganization or disorder. Others thrive in the midst of a ‘creative mess’.
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Clots
Clots are when collections of clutter are not used or moved for 6 months or more. The household still works. The rooms can still be entered and lived in but there are ‘dead’ places.
These clots might consist of:
- An ever-increasing laundry pile that is never completely folded or put away. Items are added and the top layer is regularly churned by household members looking for things, but the foundations can be untouched for 2 years or more.
- Unfinished clear-outs. These are bags or boxes used for editing (decluttering) but have never made it out the door to the charity shops or the rubbish bins.
- Unfinished projects. The project has been started but then not touched again for 5 years.
- Unwanted purchases in their original packaging. These have sat there so long that they can no longer be returned.
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Clogs
Clogs are when clots all over the house have become stuck to one another. For example, a spare room can become a dumping ground. Imagine all the clots described above have been carried into the spare room and left. Eventually it is impossible to open the door or get into the room. That is a clog. When a whole house is clogged it is a completed clog. This is now a serious problem.
As a Professional Organiser, I would encourage us to stay on top of our clutter. If clutter is or has become out of control, consider asking a friend, family member or professional for help.
