Different Styles of De-Cluttering

As I had mentioned previously, I decided to go on a de-cluttering adventure this year. My wife has decided to go along with me (possibly even by her own choice…). We felt like reading the books would be a logical first step in the process. Learn how to do the task and then do it, right?

So we started out reading all the intros individually and then read them together. That worked great! We each offered insight and tidbits the other had missed or not thought of and it really helped drive the points each author was making home. It was so good we decided to do all the chapters in all 6 books this way.

Chapter 1 also went great, although a little more taxing. The chapters were longer and more detailed. Still a good plan though.

Then came CHAPTER 2. There was nothing wrong with the chapters themselves, but they were also longer and more detailed. In some cases, much more so. We almost made it to the end but it took HOURS. We gave up halfway through the last chapter 2 we had to read and thought, “Okay, this is not going to work.”

We needed a new plan.

We had enough of a feel for the books now to be able to sort them a little bit. Although they all involved de-cluttering and organization they each have a different area of focus and approach. One is more about minimalism. One is more about organization. This leaves four mainly de-cluttering books.

We each chose one that we wanted to start with and decided to proceed with those books first. We would read them through (ALONE) and then swap books. We would share interesting ideas or sections with each other as we read them.

A good plan! This also means that there will be additional articles on this topic as we get through the other four books.

I chose Decluttering at the Speed of Life by Dana K. White and my wife chose The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo.

We each proceeded on with our book and then swapped.

This significantly sped up the reading process.

Both books were insightful, interesting, and helpful. These authors do a good job of explaining their ideas and getting one excited to de-clutter. (When has that ever been a thing?) Both are successful in their fields (I did not know Marie Kondo has a reality show on Netflix before I read her book. When I found out I watched an episode and it was interesting to see her principals in action.) Both methods have worked for thousands of people. But each author does approach de-cluttering differently.

Marie Kondo focuses on speed and intuition. Dana White focuses on slow, methodical, fit-it-in-where-you-can-find-the-time processes in a more logical manner. Marie Kondo has been focused on de-cluttering and organization her whole life. Dana White came into it out of desperation after already having a husband, a house and several kids.

Perhaps this difference in when and how they started partly explains their different approaches. Marie Kondo was single and already in this field. She likely did not have to deal with a family and a large house filled with stuff when she developed her method. She is also Japanese, and their homes are smaller than most America homes. She also has a spiritual component to her approach which is influenced by shrines and similar things from Japan.

Dana White had to find the time and the motivation to dig out of a deep hole that she began to realize she was in over time. She had to work around life in a big house with too many items. This might explain why she is more based in practicality.

Despite these differences, there were some interesting common points. Both emphasize touching every item. EVERY SINGLE ONE. Both feel that this is important in making decisions on what to keep and what to let go.

Both emphasize making a decision then and there. No delaying. No putting them in a “wait and see” pile. (That’s just a new pile of clutter.) Personal discipline is required to stay on task and make what might be difficult decisions.

And as I outlined in a previous article, this is a real key both have in common. This process… this experience… this mental exercise causes a change in most people. Having to truly evaluate what they need, what they will really use, what they are willing to let go of, what dreams are just dreams, what things they truly want and enjoy… it can be life changing. And according to all SIX authors, for most people it is.

In reading, I find this to be the most fascinating aspect. I think very few people, myself included, have ever sat down and evaluated their lives and their dreams in connection with every item they own. The two are definitely intertwined. (We will explore this idea more as we continue the process and learn more about it in our own lives.)

How many things is our stuff, our excessive, ever-growing stuff, keeping us from achieving? How much is it weighing us down?

I’m excited to find out. My wife is a little more leery, but willing. Stay tuned.

And as always, if we can help you clean-up by hauling away any of your excess stuff, give us a call and let us help to free you from your junk.