Uncluttering game plan

Do you control your stuff, or does your stuff control you? If you feel like you fall more into the second category, you’re in league with millions of people who struggle to let go of accumulated belongings. For some, it’s more than an annoyance. An estimated 2% to 6% of Americans have a psychological condition called hoarding disorder. This condition is about three times more likely to occur in the retirement years than in midlife.

The risks of hoarding to health and well-being include increased risk of falls and fires, lack of hygiene, difficulty preparing food and getting good sleep, social isolation, job and financial difficulties, and housing difficulties, such as having heat or electricity cut off.

Whether you or a loved one simply has a lot of clutter or falls into the hoarding category, taking steps to reduce clutter can have important benefits.

Up front, find ways to reduce the amount of stuff you bring into the home. Ask of each potentially acquired item if you have an immediate use for it, time to deal with it appropriately, money to afford it and space to put it.

When you’re ready to clean existing clutter in a room, have supplies and a strategy before you begin, including:

• Making a spot for everything — Have four containers labeled “trash,” “recycle,” “sell or donate,” and “keep.”
• Asking hard questions of every item — Do I need it? Do I have a plan to use it? Have I used it in the last year? Do I have space to keep it? Make every item justify its continuing presence.
• Pacing yourself — Give yourself breaks. If you feel overwhelmed, stop. It’s a stressful, draining process. Rushing things or pushing through severe anxiety can be counterproductive.
• Having an exit strategy — Put garbage and recycling in bins outside the home. Take donations to a drop-off site. Immediately place ads or create online posts for things to sell or give away. Things allowed to linger in the residence are less likely to be removed.

Connect with others looking for ways to enhance their health in the Healthy Living group.

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