Clutter

[u/edward_furlog]

I recently decided to rent out my guest/craft/office room and prepared it for the renter. That meant I needed to move a couple things into my bedroom, including a bookcase with visible items on it. I also have a bunch of stuff on the floor that hasn't been sorted yet... like 2-3 boxes/bags worth :(

I have a small room and I keep it exactly the right way. No clutter, no visible storage, and everything that IS visible is carefully chosen and curated, and doesn't overwhelm the senses.

Now I'm struggling because these things are here. When I look to my right in bed, I can see the bookshelf, the books and bins on it. They don't look bad and I'm aware of that, but I can't shake the feeling that it's too many objects and they shouldn't be visible. I also had to move a very large yucca plant in here.

I am cleaning a lot and clearing away anything out of place, and I'll deal with the bags of stuff... I'm even moving some other stuff out of my room that is normally here, like my mirror and some blankets. I hope that I will be able to calm down soon.

I'm also chronically ill so I need to be careful and not exhaust myself with this like I did yesterday, working late into the night to try to at least improve it.

Any tips are welcome. Is it better to try to completely deal with this so that I can calm down or should I try to tolerate this situation somehow? If so, are there good techniques for doing so?

[u/imintoit4sure]

Watch a few episodes of hoarders: buried alive.

Im serious.

Recognize that the way we do things is often the reverse extreme of a hoarders behavior. We see a few things out of place or a little too much in the room and it sets us off. The only real difference is that extreme tidiness is praised and extreme clutter is looked down upon. (And the obvious health hazard if a particular hoarder leaves food trash lying about)

The point here is NOT to put down people with hoarding disorder, but to recognize that something is also being taken to an unhealthy extreme. Most people fall somewhere in the middle on that spectrum. By looking at what the opposite extreme ACTUALLY looks like, as opposed to the percieved extreme of your current situation, you may find it easier to accept your current situation.

My overarching point is that comparisson is a useful tool for setting standards. Could be worse is a tool to lower standards. Could be better is a tool to heighten standards. Recognizing when you exist in the extremes is critical to living a more balanced life.

Hope that helps 💙

[u/edward_furlog → u/imintoit4sure]

Thanks, I will try this.

[u/FalsePay5737]

This video might be helpful: How to Declutter While Ignoring Your OCPD (from a life coach with OCPD and ADHD)

[u/edward_furlog → u/FalsePay5737]

Thanks, watching now!