Even the most organized people, if you have a life at all, end up with clutter in their homes. Some people say they have no clutter, as they get rid of what they don’t use immediately. I would guess that these people live alone and don’t have anyone to answer to. But most of us answer to someone else, whether it be a spouse or family member.

How does clutter accumulate in the first place? For some, they have had a tragic, life-changing event happen in their lives which makes them shut down and not care. Even if they care, they may have no motivation for cleaning it up. It may take a very long time to want to change.

For others, you might keep everything because you have a home big enough to store stuff and stash it so that it doesn’t get in the way of everyday living. So, attics, basements, and other spaces are ignored, as they don’t interfere with your lives. It is still clutter if it is nothing you want or use, but have in your home.

Still others may keep stuff just because they like it. I have had people say that they like all of their stuff and don’t feel a need to part with any of it. It is the way they want to live. Who are we to judge others as to how they want to live, unless it is a health issue that makes the living space unsafe?

When people combine two households, it can get overwhelming as you definitely don’t need two sets of everything. It requires give and take as well as purging together what you want to get rid of, which can be difficult if both have stuff that is still good and functional. This also can happen when a loved one dies and you are responsible for cleaning out their home. You might bring many boxes, furniture, and other belongings into your already full home.

Life is just so busy for some that they don’t feel they can take the time to stop and declutter until it gets too frustrating for them. When you have families with kids that are active, you prioritize and get to decluttering as you are able. As we all know, people are far more important than stuff. Kids can sense whether they, or stuff, are important.

“It’s always been this way” is the reason some have clutter. They grew up that way and know no other way of living. Their homes have always been full and cluttered. They live that way just because they know no different ways.

Some people live in clutter because they are not physically able to declutter their homes or apartments. They may not have someone who they want to work with to assist them in this task. They can’t just carry stuff off to donate what they don’t want.

Let me just address the issue of hoarding. This is a whole different problem that cannot be solved with just a little encouragement. It goes much deeper than most of us understand and probably needs professional help in dealing with the problem.

Of the list I’ve just made, maybe you can think of other reasons clutter exists. If you are content, live with it as long as you can be healthy and clean in your home. If not, there are ways almost everyone should be able to get out of their clutter. Move it and enjoy life more without thinking about all of that “stuff.”

Doris Puls, of D & O Decluttering and Organizing, is a professional organizer whose mission is to make a difference in the lives of the people she works with in homes and businesses. Contact her at organizealpena@gmail.com or at 989-356-9545.