When it comes to college living, space is of the essence. Whether you’re in a cramped triple room or residing in a spacious single, organization is key to creating an area where you feel comfortable relaxing after a long day. Still, it can be difficult to get rid of certain possessions that clutter your home. I personally struggle with letting go of items that I don’t have use for. Between sentimentality and my mindset that it will prove useful someday, I accumulate an absurd amount of birthday cards, receipts, ticket stubs and clothing that takes up an overwhelming amount of space in my home. But what causes this reluctance to throw away useless junk? And how can this proclivity towards hoarding be conquered?
Characterized by the inability to part with certain objects, hoarding results in the excessive collection of items. The type of possessions being hoarded varies from person to person. Most of the time, the items hoarded are useless or of little monetary value, such as ill-fitting clothing or old electronic cables. Typically, reluctance to get rid of these items stems from personal attachment or a fear that the object will be necessary one day. In extreme cases, hoarding can pose physical threats, such as fire hazards and increased risk of falls. Disorganized environments have also been linked to stress, which proposes another harm of hoarding: poor mental health.
Even when one decides to get organized and declutter an environment, it can be difficult to commit to the task and see it through to completion. Often, it feels overwhelming to tackle the source of the issue and the mess. So, here are a few tips for getting organized and getting rid of those unnecessary items.
- Create an Incentive
Finding motivation can be a significant barrier to getting organized. Providing a time-sensitive incentive to deep clean creates a hard deadline to get rid of unnecessary items. Whether it’s a dinner party or a movie night, hosting within your home could motivate you to create a clean space for your guests to enjoy.
- Enlist a Friend
When cleaning, it is easy to get distracted from the task at hand. Doomscrolling on TikTok or Instagram can easily kill motivation and steal attention from what you’re working on. Asking a friend to sit with you while you declutter your space can help you stay accountable and focused. Turning chores into a social task can create a more accountable environment, make the experience more enjoyable and even provide a companion to suggest which items should be discarded.
- Coat Hanger Trick
The coat hanger trick can help you separate the essentials from unnecessary clothing items. Start by hanging your clothes in your closet so that the coat hangers face toward you. Each time you wear an article of clothing, replace the item in your closet with the hanger facing the opposite direction. This makes it apparent to you which items are worn versus ignored. After a month or two, take a look at which coat hangers still face outward and consider donating these unworn clothes.
- Challenge Your Thinking
Organizing your space is just one step toward overcoming hoarding tendencies. To truly conquer these impulses, change the way you perceive the items you feel compelled to keep. For instance, if you rip a pair of your favorite jeans and feel compelled to keep them, ask yourself whether you will actually repair them. Furthermore, if you feel a sentimental urge to accumulate ticket stubs, receipts and cards, gently remind yourself that you will continue to make similar memories and that you do not need to keep every paper scrap as a keepsake.
Hoarding is a difficult, but not altogether impossible, habit to overcome. While it can be challenging to part with certain nonessential items, it is crucial for maintaining a comfortable living environment and a clear mental space. By applying these tips, overcoming this habit can be a more manageable and perhaps more enjoyable process. Give it a try!