July 23, 2009
The Difference Between Mess and Clutter
If you think that mess equals clutter, sorry, but you would be wrong. The truth is that there’s a big difference between the two. Just as being neat and being organized do not necessarily equate, being messy and having clutter do not necessarily equate. Healthy mess is a natural part of daily life and shows that your home is lived in and enjoyed. (I do, however, recommend drawing a line at messes that spill over into common areas, block access to parts of a room, cause missed appointments or homework or involve anything that affects health or is dangerous.) Unhealthy clutter can prevent you from living the life you’d really like to live.
Don’t waste your time or drain your energy overly focusing on the normal daily mess of life. Focus instead on the real time and energy zapper: clutter masquerading as mess. Here are some guidelines to help you distinguish healthy mess from unhealthy clutter:
- Mess is relatively easy to deal with. It’s temporary and can be cleaned up quickly because everything has an assigned place to live when not in use. Clutter - items that are not used, wanted or loved - is much harder to deal with and eliminate. Clutter does not clean up quickly.
- Mess doesn’t get endlessly ignored and is usually cleaned up within a reasonable time frame. Clutter is easy to ignore and usually stays right where it is. Warning: Mess can become clutter if left too long, so don’t let it linger.
- Mess gets moved around and used often. Clutter rarely moves or gets used and drains energy from both you and your environment.
- Mess can bring you joy, especially the mess that comes from the creative process or children playing with their toys. Clutter is utterly joyless and has absolutely no redemptive qualities.
Now that you know what to look for and how each affects you, go a little easier on your daily mess and get a lot tougher on your clutter. If you’re having trouble clearing the clutter, get help. Don’t let clutter rob you of time, money, energy, productivity, peace of mind or the use and enjoyment of your space.
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MILLER ORGANIZING. All rights reserved.
14 Stuyvesant Oval
NYC, NY 10009