8 Ways to Stop Clutter Before It Starts

Why are more and more people questioning the benefits of late-stage capitalism and embracing at least some aspects of minimalism?  Maybe it's because in the U.S. there are more self-storage units than McDonald's, Subway, and Jack-in-the-Box restaurants combined.  And the average American carries $8,674 in credit card debt.

Along with frugalism, low or no buy, the circular economy, and no waste lifestyles, minimalism is one way to limit the damage that consumerism – running rampant since the late 1940s – has done to wallets and the planet.

So maybe you're only interested in buying the most cost-effective, environmentally friendly products possible.  Good for you!  But do you know what the most frugal, eco-conscious product is?  According to Joshua Becker at becomingminimalist.com, it's the one you don't buy.

This is a simple, powerful truth.  The clutter we never bring into our homes is clutter we never have to deal with later.  If you're tired of cleaning, organizing, insuring, and paying for your clutter, it's time to start preventing it from coming through your door.

Where clutter comes from

A lot of clutter happens unintentionally.  It comes in the form of junk mail, extra sauce packets and plastic utensils tossed into your fast food bag, and free calendars and tote bags from your insurance agent.  Some of it comes from good intentions, such as buying extras because they're on sale, picking up the double- or triple-pack because we might need it someday, or accepting hand-me-downs and other freebies because they seem too good to pass up.

Other clutter happens because we want to fit in, keep up, or have what we think everyone else has.  And then there's the clutter we accumulate because of that rush of dopamine we get whenever we purchase something new.

Over time, these decisions add up to homes that are stuffed with much more than we need or even want – homes which complicate and frustrate our lives every day.

It's pretty obvious that the less we bring into our homes, the less we have to declutter later.  Every item takes space, not just in our homes but in our minds.  That's why being a gatekeeper is so important.

A new mindset

As stated in an article by the editors of nosidebar.com, "Once we shift our mindset from accumulating to curating, we can prevent clutter from ever becoming a problem."  And if you've put in all the time and energy to declutter, learning this mindset is essential if you don't want to wind up back where you started.

This new mindset does more than keep our homes tidy.  It also has positive benefits for our budgets, our well-being, and the environment.  When we choose to bring less home, we reduce waste and become more intentional about how we use our money and time. We create a space that reflects what we truly care about, rather than a spot for the flotsam of unconsidered choices to land.

So how do we accomplish this?

Practical steps to a life with less clutter

1.  Make purchases thoughtful and intentional.

Retailers know that if they can catch our eyes, and especially if they can get us to touch and hold a product, we're more likely to buy it – even if we didn't plan to, even if we don't really have a need for it.  If they offer a product for a limited time, or tell us there's limited availability, we're more likely to buy for fear of missing out on a deal.  And today's influencers add the pressure of wanting what's trendy so we look up-to-date and in the know.

That's why shopping with intention (rather than idle browsing), shopping with a list, and saying no to impulse purchases are tactics we need to practice.

2.  Avoid impulse buying.

This is the obvious follow-up to #1.  Yes, occasionally we will see a useful, valuable product that we didn't know existed and had no plan to buy ahead of time.  But honestly, that's rare.  Most items we purchase on impulse are unnecessary and destined to become clutter.

My husband and I spent a week on the northern California coast last summer, as we do most years.  The tiny town of Point Reyes Station has some wonderful boutiques, and I had a hard time simply browsing.  So guess what?  I bought a piece of clothing and some jewelry I've hardly worn, and a really cute, lovingly crafted, seriously overpriced dollhouse kitchen which I would have loved when I was a child.  (My grandsons get some enjoyment from it, now that I've spent even more money to buy dollhouse dolls, dishes, and food!)

Now, maybe in this case I wasn't able to wait a day or two to see if the desire faded.  But could we have gone to lunch or for a walk and come back later if I was still thinking about the items?  Yes.  Did we do that?  No.

Compare the impulse to buy something you don't need to eating junk food.  It looks good, it seems desirable, but are you going to be happy after you've consumed it, or will you be filled with regret?  Almost always, the latter is true.

3.  Just say no to freebies and hand-me-downs.

Just because something is free doesn't mean it belongs in your home, so learn to politely decline offers of things you don't need.  It's okay to be selective and accept only what will serve a purpose or add value to your life.

Related article: How to Declutter When Your Income is Small

4.  Use the one in, one out rule.

Whenever you bring in something new, remove something old.  This keeps your possessions balanced so clutter doesn't build up again.  But it's important to realize that this is not a license to continually replace things just because you can!  That habit still wastes money and resources, and betrays greed and discontent.

The shop ➜ declutter ➜ shop cycle isn't minimalism.  It's consumerism.

Related article:  End Binge and Purge – 4 Ways to Break Free of a Shopping Addiction

5.  Choose less storage, not more.

Just as any job you're doing will take longer if you don't set a deadline, clutter expands to fill as much space as you allow.  And once you add one thing you don't need or want, more will follow.  What's one more tee shirt, right?  Or one more pair of earrings, or one more piece for your collection?

With less storage, you either reduce clutter or you live with messy piles.  Which will you choose?

6.  Make a home for everything.

What does this mean?  It means I can hand my grandson something he uses and ask him to put it away, and he can, quickly and easily.  It means I can ask him to get me something, and tell him where it is, and it will be there, without fail.  No searching, no digging, no fuss.

After all, the things we use have logical places to belong.  The forks are in a kitchen drawer.  The extra blankets are in a closet near the bedrooms.  The toothpaste is on a shelf in the bathroom.

This isn't just about being tidy.  These things have a purpose, so it's easy to figure out where they belong.  In fact, if you can't find a logical home for something, it might be because you don't really need it.

Once you've established homes for what you own, develop the habit of putting things away when you've finished with them.  My mom used to say, "Don't just put it down – put it away!"  You can steal that if you want.

7.  Simplify gift-giving and receiving.

Let friends and family know that you prefer to receive experiences or consumable items, or that a gift to your favorite charity instead of another tchotchke will always make you happy.  Set the example with the gifts you give.

8.  Honor your values.

Always remember what matters to you.

• Is your home a place of simplicity and freedom?
• Do you crave order and peace?
• Does quality matter to you?
• Do you want to prioritize relationships, growth, health, gratitude, and generosity over stuff?
• Do you have long-term goals that are more likely to be met if you own less?

Let your values guide your choices about what enters your home, and don't let other pressures decide for you.

End the war.

Clutter doesn't have to be a constant battle that makes every day messy, stressful, crowded, and costly.  The best way to handle it is to keep it from entering your home in the first place.  Remember that the most frugal, eco-conscious product is the one you don't buy!

By being mindful and intentional, you'll uphold your values and enjoy a lighter home and life.