Get Social and Declutter!

You don’t have to be Marie Kondo, the de-cluttering entrepreneur, to see the value of decluttering, especially with support from others.  (Studies show getting rid of clutter is an important part of self care and mental health.)

• Clutter creates distractions that compete for your attention. Result? It’s harder to narrow your focus to what you want and/or need to accomplish.
• The excessive visual stimuli caused by clutter makes it difficult to process information effectively which can lead to feelings of frustration and anxiety.
• Because of the constant reminder of tasks undone and/or unfinished, clutter is stress-inducing.
• And including others in your efforts gives you moral support and social engagement while sharing tips and accomplishments.

Decluttering with others

If getting rid clutter and/or organizing it is a challenge, join a support group.

The Own Less Community

Senior Planet Community’s “Own Less Community,” nearly 1900 members strong, has a message board full of advice and tips to tame clutter, get rid of “stuff” (or better organize it)  – and to go the last mile and  become a minimalist. To learn more, visit here.

IRL RESOURCES

Do you prefer in-person meetings?  The granddaddy of all decluttering groups is Clutterers Anonymous (https://clutterersanonymous.org/).

In the past, all CAs meetings were in-person. After the lockdowns, virtual meetings were offered making it possible for anyone to find support and help anywhere they lived.

Find a nearby CL in-person group or virtual meetings on the site’s “Face-to-Face Meetings and Directory”.

ONLINE RESOURCES

Meetups

 Closer to home are resources such as Meetup (www.meetup.com) which offers virtual support groups.

Fair warning: the site is challenging to navigate. That said, when you enter “Decluttering” into Meetup’s search bar, several groups appear. In addition, when you scroll down to the bottom of the page you will sometimes (but not always!) find related tab options, including “Getting Organized”, “The Joy of Less”, “Clutter Clearing Support Group”, “Minimalism” and the like.

If you don’t see the tab options, simply enter the terms in the search bar.

Depending on the day or time  (Saturday mornings? Wednesday evenings?) you can find one or more Meetup decluttering groups that suits your schedule.

A particularly fun Meetup is “Virtual Movie Night” – a watch party that takes place on alternate Friday nights. (https://www.meetup.com/organize-to-elevate/events/299198611/)  Here’s how it works:

Attendees meet at 7:30 pm ET to vote on which film related to decluttering, organizing, etc. the group wants to watch. Everyone watches the selected film at 8:00 pm from their various devices.

The real fun begins with the optional 9:00 pm ET Sharing Circle. Film watchers return to share their takeways from the film and ask for and/or share advice and tips. Dates for the upcoming nights are March 22, April 5 and 22.

FACEBOOK

On Facebook, decluttering-type keywords entered in the search bar will lead you to groups. Many professional organizers have private FB groups where they offer advice and help – and so do their members.

Megan Kearney Ludvinsky’s private FB “Decluttering and Organizing” group’s active members offer wonderful ideas, advice and help. (https://www.facebook.com/groups/declutteringandorganizing). Another plus: The inspiring You can do it! before and after photos from members of DEcluttered closets, bedrooms, offices etc. offer visual encouragement for what’s possible.

Wondering what to do with your stuff? Get hints and tips in this earlier view of the decluttering dilemma. 

Use social support to keep at it

It takes time and focus to get rid of clutter and “stuff”. But with the advice, fellowship and support of others, clearing clutter can actually be a social activity with a bonus: gaining a sense of accomplishment.

YOUR TURN

How have you tackled your issues with clutter? Share your tips in the comments!

Nona Aguilar is an award-winning writer of numerous magazine articles and two books. She has also edited four specialty business newsletter publications. Her work has appeared in Ladies Home Journal, Redbook, Family Circle and Cosmopolitan, and in The Business Owner.