What makes it difficult is when the other person involved doesn’t see any VALUE in tidiness, even when you set a good example. My intention is to turn the tables and allow the clear space to spread, instead of the mess. It was like an overstuffed drawer but worse, because it was all on view! And our front door opens straight into the living room, so you couldn’t even bypass it with a visitor! It was a Feng Shui-er’s nightmare.But after the last declutter I gently suggested that we keep under the table completely clear. That used to serve as an extra “shelf” for his papers and magazines (and sweet wrappers, for heaven’s sake!) and the mess spread to the left towards the door, and to the right towards the TV. The rule is, when stuff starts to fall off the table, it’s time to declutter. I have reclaimed a table in the living room for myself and 99% of the time it remains clear because every time he leaves stuff there I move it immediately to his coffee table, which is a few layers deep at the moment. I like the Setting Limits and Designate Clutter-free Zones suggestions. I often find myself worn out from the constant filling back up of previously decluttered spaces, it feels like swimming against the tide. Mine pulls against me the harder I try to declutter, even though I never attempt to declutter his stuff and wouldn’t, out of respect. I envy those people who have found that their spouses got on board. I was one of those people who emailed asking for advice on reluctant partner’s mess. Chances are good that some of the “junk” might not make it back in!Īre you struggling with OPC? Or have you found a great way to get your spouse or kids on the minimalist path? Let’s get a support group going in the Comments! Ask your spouse or child to do a top-to-bottom scrub of a room, drawer, or closet-including taking everything out to reach every nook and cranny. Cleaning around stuff makes housekeeping a hundred times harder. You may be able to take a shortcut with young children, by “buying” their stuff from them (say for $1 per toy or game), and donating their rejects to charity.ħ. If you have the time and inclination, offer to help family members sell their castoffs on eBay. An opportunity to help others can be a wonderful catalyst for decluttering.Ħ. Find a local charity in need of clothes, toys, games, books, etc.-and ask family members if they have anything to spare for those in need. (Add a special prize-like letting the winner pick a movie or restaurant to celebrate-for more incentive.)ĥ. Task each member of the household with purging their own things, and declare the person with the biggest pile of castoffs the decluttering champion. Plan a Family Decluttering Day, and introduce a little healthy competition. Once your family sees your pared-down cupboards, your roomy closet, or your minimal workspace, they may very well be inspired to follow suit!Ĥ. The most persuasive argument for decluttering is a clean and serene space. Whether it’s your child’s toybox, your teenager’s closet, or your spouse’s craft room/workshop, explain that they’re welcome to fill it to the brim but once it starts overflowing, they’ll have to purge some of the old before adding anything new.ģ. Introduce your family to the concept of limits. Better yet, let your family know that anything left behind will be considered a voluntary “donation” to the Goodwill.Ģ. If any wayward items land in these zones, return them immediately to their owner. Declare that all public and family spaces (living room, dining room, kitchen) will henceforth be clutter-free areas it’s a great way to confine clutter to its owner’s personal space. Unfortunately, begging, pleading, evangelizing, or threatening can have the opposite effect-and result in making them more determined to hang on to their stuff.ĭon’t despair! Your words may fall on deaf ears, but there’s a few things you can do to (gently) prod those clutterbugs in the right direction:ġ. I have to admit, that’s a tough situation. They feel that no matter how much of their own stuff they purge, they’ll always be tripping over, shoving aside, or otherwise dealing with someone else’s clutter. I often receive emails from people who want to pare down, but are frustrated with their partner’s/children’s/parent’s/family’s reluctance to get on board.
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