3 Lies We Tell Ourselves About Clutter
3 Lies We Tell Ourselves About Clutter
Clutter is not just about stuff. It is about the stories we tell ourselves. Over the years, I have heard the same phrases from clients again and again, little lies that keep them stuck in the cycle of clutter.
After 16 years of organizing homes, I know these lies well because I have told them to myself, too. The good news is that once you recognize them for what they are, you can replace them with the truth and start moving forward.
Here are 3 of the biggest lies we tell ourselves about clutter and how to let them go.
Lie 1: I might need this someday
This is the most common lie of all. We keep broken appliances, duplicate tools, and clothes that no longer fit because we believe we might need them in the future.
The problem is, ‘someday’ rarely comes. In the meantime, these items take up space, create stress, and make it harder to find the things you actually use.
I often remind clients not to pay rent in their home for items that do not serve you today. Your space is valuable. Fill it with what you need and love now, not what you might need in some imagined future.
The truth: If you cannot name a specific reason you would need it in the next year, it is safe to let it go. And if you ever do need it, chances are you can borrow, rent, or replace it.
Lie 2: I spent good money on this
Guilt is powerful. We hold on to clothes we never wear, gadgets still in the box, or furniture that does not fit because we do not want to feel like we wasted money.
But keeping something you do not use does not get your money back. It just makes you pay twice, once with your wallet, and again with your space and peace of mind.
In one of my earlier blogs, I shared how I started this business by flipping a dresser. What looked like clutter to someone else became valuable in new hands. That is the key. When you let go, someone else can benefit.
The truth: The money is already spent. Keeping the item will not change that. Donating, selling, or passing it on gives it new life and frees you from the guilt.
Lie 3: It was a gift, so I have to keep it
This one tugs at the heart. We keep gifts we never liked or used because we feel obligated. The sweater that is not our style, the knick-knack that collects dust, the extra kitchen gadget we did not need.
Here is the thing; a gift is about the love of the person who gave it, not the object itself. Once it is yours, you get to decide if it belongs in your home.
As I often remind families, keeping something out of guilt is not honoring the giver. It is cluttering your space and adding stress.
You may set these items aside in a memory box if needed, but the most important part is making sure the item is out of your ‘everyday’ space. If it’s not actively being used, put it away.
The truth: You can appreciate the thought without keeping the item. Letting it go does not erase the love behind the gift.
Why These Lies Keep Us Stuck
These lies are rooted in fear, guilt, and obligation. They make us second guess ourselves and turn simple decisions into emotional battles. That is why decluttering feels so hard.
But when you replace the lies with truth, everything changes. You stop living in the past or worrying about someday, and you start creating space for the life you are living now.
How to Break Free
Notice the lie. The next time you hesitate to let something go, ask yourself if you are believing one of these three lies.
Say the truth out loud. Replace the lie with a statement like, This does not serve my life today.
Create boundaries. Use tools like a donation box, a treasure box, or re-gifting to keep the clutter down.
Give yourself grace. Decluttering is emotional work. Some decisions will be harder than others, and that is okay.
Final Thoughts
Clutter is not just piles of stuff. It is the stories and lies we tell ourselves about what we own.
The lies sound like this:
I might need it someday
I spent good money on it
It was a gift, so I have to keep it
The truth is that your home should support the life you are living now. By letting go of guilt, fear, and obligation, you create space for peace, joy, and freedom.
Need help breaking free from the lies of clutter? At Megan Sears Organization, we bring compassion and practical systems to help families let go of what is holding them back. Book your free consultation today and let us help you create a home filled with only what truly serves you.
