"I'll just put it here for now"- The slow path to clutter and how to avoid it.

By Megan Golightly | Read time: 2 min

Have you ever paused to think about how often you say, "I'll just put it here for now"? If I challenged you to walk around your house right now, I bet you'd find that most of your clutter is a lot of items you placed down with that exact phrase in mind. The truth is, when we leave these piles here day after day, week after week, month after month, our house slowly morphs into a cluttered, overwhelming space.

Often, the reason we choose any spot as temporary storage is that we aren’t really sure where the item should go, so we opt for the easiest option: anywhere "for now." But here's a solution that might help: take a moment to consider how often you use the item and whether it truly deserves space in your home. This evaluation process helps make more deliberate decisions about what to keep and what to let go. Moreover, it's beneficial to train your brain to recognize that anytime you tell yourself, "I'm gonna leave it here just for now," you might be laying the foundation for your next big clutter pile—a pile your future self will definitely not appreciate.

When you put something down, thinking you'll have time to deal with it later, ask yourself: Will I really have time? Or is this just a convenient excuse to delay making a decision? Additionally, if you just put it down without a designated place, chances are, you won't be able to find it when you need it later.

Incorporating solutions into daily life:

1. Immediate action over procrastination: Challenge yourself to take immediate action instead of procrastinating. If you use something, put it back in its place right away. This habit prevents clutter from starting in the first place.

2. Designate Specific Homes: For items that often end up as clutter because you're unsure of where they belong, take the time to designate a specific home for them. This action makes it easier to put things away and find them later.

3. Regular Decluttering Sessions: Make decluttering a regular part of your routine. Even dedicating a short amount of time each week to addressing areas of clutter can significantly impact the situation over time.

4. Mindful Acquisition: Before acquiring new things, really think about their necessity and where they will live in your home. This mindfulness helps prevent new clutter from accumulating.

Embrace a clutter-free lifestyle:

Let's embrace a lifestyle where we deal with items immediately rather than allowing "for now" to become forever. This approach not only helps keep our spaces tidy and organized but also reduces the stress and overwhelm that comes with living in a cluttered environment. Remember, every item you decide not to put down "for now" is a step towards a more organized and peaceful home. Start today, and you'll thank yourself tomorrow.

xo Meg