Moving is never easy, and the most difficult part is packing. And one more thing: the more you have to pack the more you will pay when transporting your belongings. Money is very important too. Check moving company reviews and ask for a moving Quote. But let’s get back to decluttering. Scientists have proven that it is as difficult for some people to part with junk as it is to give up smoking. Moreover, those who are prone to hoarding react to cleaning unnecessary things with genuine heartache. Therefore, psychologists have developed a strategy that will help you stop getting attached to things and make any collector of junk clean up the house.
We decided to understand these tips and pass them on to you. And in the end, we will tell you how to live with a person who is not used to throwing anything away.
Why “clutter” is so difficult
To begin with, it should be noted that not all people are attached to things. There are those who easily part with trash and maintain order in the house, and there are those who give everything a “soul”, for him throwing away is akin to betrayal.
The differences between these people are proven from the point of view of psychology. Scientists have found that when a “collector” has to throw away their belongings, areas of the brain associated with pain are activated in their head, as well as the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, which is associated with moral assessment of ethical conflicts and a sense of “self”.
Because of this, people not only relate the thing to their goals and desires, subconsciously believing that it will still be useful, but also consider some items a part of themselves. Therefore, throwing something away for such people, psychologists say, is like giving up a finger on your hand.
The technique of mindfulness when moving
A simple psychological technique that will be useful to anyone who wants to get rid of junk in the house. This technique will help people who are inclined to gather, start throwing away unnecessary things. It is noteworthy that it is also recommended for people who want to get rid of bad habits.
Its essence is to be attentive to your instincts and find differences between real motivation and the “trick” that the brain gives us. Next, we’ll take a closer look at how to introduce this technique into your life.
Step 1. Rule a few seconds
When trying to save a potentially useless item again, don’t rush to a decision and wait a few seconds. Think about the real value of the item.
Remember how many times recently you have thought about throwing this item away. How many times has it been useful? Convince yourself that the item is useless.
Step 2. The study of temptation
Track your feelings when you need to throw something away. Usually, the temptation begins with an almost imperceptible signal and grows to the level of real anxiety and anxiety.
But psychologists reassure: any momentary temptation tends to end. Like a wave, reaching the peak of its power, it collapses and disappears.
Step 3. The Concept of non-uniqueness
Almost all children have a habit of giving objects a “soul”, to see them as a person. According to experiments, children do not realize that their favorite toy and exactly the same toy, only a new one, are the same thing. Because the new object is just a thing, and the object that belongs to them is part of their consciousness.
Some carry this feature into adulthood. If you freeze for a few seconds in a rush to leave an unnecessary item, remember that it is not unique (such items are stamped at a hundred per hour), but your memories associated with it are unique. And even if the item is thrown away, the memories will not disappear.
Step 4. Rethinking material value
This applies to a separate type of gatherer. These people can’t throw things away because they remember how much they paid for them. In this case, in order to “unravel”, unnecessary things can be put up for sale.
And if no one wants to buy them, then it’s time to forget about money: these items have long been devalued.
Step 5. Mess warning
If you are inclined to hoard, try not to buy things that clutter your home. Don’t bring useless Souvenirs from your vacation. Ask your friends not to give you stuffed animals for the holidays.
Get an e-book, so as not to buy large quantities of paper. Do not buy things that you do not need: do not pay attention to low prices, do not buy goods imitating other people, do not buy those things that you did not think about purchasing until this moment.
Bonus: advice for those who live with people who are inclined to gather