Clutter and "Stuff"

I was talking with a friend about something recently and it's been on my mind since then.

Moms get overwhelmed with stuff. And I don't mean we get overwhelmed things responsibilities, places, people, etc (although that is true too!). I mean exactly what I said.

Stuff.

Books. Magazines. Paw Patrol toys. Barbie dolls. Cars. Ribbons and bows. China sets. Pots and pans. Shoes. Belts. Blankets. Pillows.

Stuff. 

We live in a time frame where more belongings equates to success. More toys mean your kids must be happier. More household items means your home must be nicer. More clothing means you must be fancier. More books mean you must be smarter.

We not only bring clutter into our homes but we willingly bring stress into our lives this way. More "stuff" isn't always what is best.

Let me stop here and stay all these things aren't bad. If you need them and use them on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis, great! Throw pillows that actually get used instead of just tossed to the floor? Perfect! Those dinosaurs that are the kids favorites and get played with all the time? Wonderful! Need more spatulas because you cook 3 meals a day and always run out? Buy more!

What I'm talking about here are the extras. The Tupperware that gets jumbled up in the back of the cupboard and touched only when reaching for other items. The toys that have sat at the bottom of the play basket for months because your children have zero interest in them. The craft supplies you are hoarding because maybe one day in the unforeseen future you could possibly, hopefully, have a use for it.

Oh wait. That last one may just be me.

But seriously. THOSE are the items I'm talking about here. We often fill our homes with stuff that we don't need. These articles take up space we could be using for other items we do want and need. They take time to clean and rearrange. They make things harder for us in our homes instead of making things better.

If you are anything like me, you hold on to things for a variety of reasons:

-Someone gifted you the item.
-It use to be sentimental.
-You or someone you know may possibly need it again in the future.
-It is just simply cute.
-With clothes, you may possibly fit into older and smaller clothes again one day.

So on and so on. But you have to make the decision yourself. Is it worth the stress and effort to keep it? If it is, no problem! Find a space for it and store it until you need or have a use for it. If it's not worth it though, pass it on. Donate it if it's useable to others. Ask if a friend may be able to use it. Have a garage sale and make a little money if you have a lot to get rid of. Be honest with yourself and trash it if it's just garbage. Just remove it from your home somehow if it's become no use to you or your family.

Getting rid of belongings can be difficult, I understand. I've gone through my apartment several times now and each time I tell myself it will be easy but sometimes it's hard.
Don't empty your home, but don't keep every little thing thats ever been passed over to you. Take it slow and think about what you are removing. If you have some items you think you might regret getting rid of, then get a box and fill it with your "maybe remove" items. Hide away the box in a closet and a few months from now if you forgot about everything inside, just donate it all. If not, empty the box and bring the items back into your home. No harm done.

How does all this tie into motherhood though? Good question.

When we as moms stress over something, our families feel it. Our spouse and children can feel the energy we are letting off in any given moment. If we feel calm and collected, so do those around us. If we feel overwhelmed and anxious, so do those around us. When clutter takes over we can lose control over our homes. It becomes less of our home and our safe haven, and more of a storage unit. 

You will feel so much better as you work your way through your home and your belongings. Your home will feel bigger, your rooms will feel cleaner, and you won't feel as stressed. Your family will thank you for it.

But don't take my word for it. Try it out for yourself. You won't be disappointed.