5 Types of Clutter: Which One is Holding You Back?

What type of clutter do you struggle with in your home? If you have a messy, cluttered home, it's helpful to identify the type of clutter you struggle with the most. There are FIVE types of clutter:
Homeless Clutter, Identity Clutter, Fantasy Clutter, Guilty Clutter, and Lazy Clutter.

I have a lot of Fantasy Clutter right now, but I used to struggle with Lazy Clutter the most. Let me know in the comments below your biggest struggle! Together we can declutter and be clutter-free for 2023!

00:00 Introduction
01:09 Homeless Clutter
03:22 Fantasy Clutter
05:42 Guilty Clutter
07:47 Identity Clutter
10:43 Lazy Clutter
14:37 End Story

[outofmyelement]

I FEEL that identity clutter in my blue frog collection. I started collecting when I was 11 and EVERYONE sees a "blue frog" ANYTHING as a perfect gift for me. I am 59 now. This past year I picked 4-5 blue frogs that I truly love and GAVE THE REST AWAY. Such

[megannull]

I struggle with all of the types of clutter. It occurred to me watching this video that old photographs of people who've passed away, even their photo albums full of people I never knew is guilty clutter. It feels almost disrespectful to get rid of photographs of memories that meant so much to them. I have to remind myself as I go through them that a functional space is important and I'm not hurting my mom by throwing away valentines she got as a child.

[kimunderwood]

"We're people-pleasing our junk." Wow - that really struck a chord with me. Thanks - I needed to hear that. 🥺

[marvenagoss]

My biggest struggle is fantasy clutter. In my mind I have all these great ideas and I buy all the things required but I run out of energy when it comes time to actually do it. Between working full time night shift, being a single parent, and dealing with Multiple Sclerosis I just can’t keep up.

[lucilenicolaes]

Dear Cass
I had an unexpected visitor today. He called less than 5 minutes before he arrived, and those 5 minutes were enough were enough for me to put away my "lazy clutter"!!!
Thanks to you who taught me some method. I watch you adventures for a few years now. I'm so proud of my very acceptable home now. Thank you for all that and for your funny stories. 😁

[KSLassie]

I think Identity Clutter is some of the hardest things to part with. It’s like giving up on a piece of your life, hopes and dreams.
It has taken me a while to get past that.

[juliec]

Inheriting other people's clutter is hard. I lost my mom earlier this year, and am still going thru her things. I had to realize I have to let a lot of things go, and then it actually makes the things I keep more meaningful.

[lindamcdermott]

Identity clutter was the hardest for me to give up. I have had many hobbies, been a single working mom, homestead gardener, made all mine and my kids clothes. As I look back, I don’t know how I did it all. Life moved on, kids grew up, then I wanted to downsize to an apartment. I realized I was stuck when I packed up all my fabric to donate, and could not do it. It sat on a table for a whole year until one of my friends came, took it to the car and we took it to a place that made quilts! That was only one of my multiple identities, my life long ambition was to be an artist. I painted in oils, acrylics, watercolor, mixed media, all had their own stuff. It was difficult to narrow down my “when I grow up” identifications. In the mean time I started sewing and quilting again and the fabric stash grew. My creativity identity was taking over. Your channel as well as Dana and Dawn made me realize the chaos of my supplies in my small space was stifling any creativity I might have. It was hard, but I did it. I decided what I wanted to do, what would fit in my space, I think I am a ladybug, I want to have a home for my stuff when I’m not using it and not see it. I want my surfaces to be clear, minimal-ish and neat. I have accomplished a lot. It took a lot of time and many trips to donation sites. I don’t think I will ever be ‘done’ it takes maintenance. Thanks to you and your collaborations, I am so much better. I draw every day, my sketch book and pens fit in my purse! I paint in watercolor and all my stuff fits in one cube! My identity is identified! I’m living my dream, I am an artist. Thank you for helping me finally peel off the layers of my onion. I’m 75, lived a full happy life, raised kids for 50 years, empty nested finally living my dream. Thanks to minimizing and organizing. You are my hero.

[jacquelinem]

The guilty clutter for sure. My apartment was looking so nice for awhile. But after my parents both passed the last couple years, it is hard to part with some of their belongings. Especially ones that I grew up with. I also think there is a depression clutter. That is one of the hardest things to get through.

[tonygroves]

I just got rid of about 14 garbage bags of fantasy clutter. Whew! I'm a seamstress and I run a small business, but I had way too much fabric and I kept way too many scraps. Some bags went to our local thrift shop, and some went to a charity quilting group. My room can breathe now, and so can I!! Thank you for helping me to get inspired to do it!

[ritasantiago]

When I heard you talk about identity clutter previously a HUGE light bulb went off! My craft room was bursting at the seams with everything I thought I needed to keep. So much so that I couldn't use ANYTHING in the room since there was no space anywhere to try and do any crafts at all. I got rid of so much stuff and now I can actually craft! It's funny that my craft identity clutter kept me from crafting, but letting it go lets me actually be a crafter again. Thank you!!!

[fabienneroure]

Super interesting video! It made me realize I have trouble with my identity clutter. I was a globe-trotter for many many years and worked for an adventure travel agency.
It's so hard to explain but it's like I need to hang on to those things so that I can still be in this globe-trotter mindset if that makes sense!? It's actually the first time I talk about this and I feel a certain vulnerabily but at the same time I find it freeing...🌍🌟 P.S. I almost didn't post this comment but I decided it feels good to recognize it!💛

[MrsAlmaTrumble]

So many people inspire me, but there’s something about the way you inspire me that’s different. Thanks for being an inspiration to me.

[georgeedward]

"Fantasy clutter" - now there are two words I never expected to see paired together and making perfect sense

[JoAnnRichardsGoffe]

I resonate with ALL of the different clutters. My mom had clutter challenges too. I'm now living in the house she lived in. She passed away a little over a year ago. I'm finally launching the big de-clutter and organizing programme. So happy I found you!

[angieburnett]

For anyone who struggles with guilty/sentimental clutter, if those things are in regard to lost loved ones ask yourself--would they want me to be miserable with all this stuff or keep a couple of meaningful things and be happier? (I could hear my parents telling me, "that meant something to me not you silly, get rid of it!" 😁💕) (I will say if it's a recent loss, there's nothing wrong with giving it some time, I know it's too painful initially.) This was a helpful tip for me, just wanted to share. 💕💕

[nicoleterry]

Hey Cas! Sourdough starter is the kind of “pet” you only have to feed when you want to build it up for bread baking. It can be kept in the fridge when you want it to be “dormant…” then you can revive it by feeding it!😊

[bellaluce]

Something that's helped me let go of Identity clutter (and positive forms of "Guilt" clutter such as a thoughtful but not-quite-right gift) is taking a photo so I still have the positive reminder without having to keep the object. Also keeping one item that stands for a bunch of other ones (e.g. a single inherited cup, one drawing), or even a swatch of cloth or one page from a book (books are a renewable resource). Honoring the identity by framing/displaying key objects also helps.

[dinrufarore]

The piece about identity clutter really hits close to home, especially with the still images of the pokemon cards and action figures. My identity as someone who plays Pokemon is genuinely very important to me, because I believe Pokemon led me to my perfect career and my perfect partner and a lot of joy that I wouldn't have had without it. But that doesn't mean I have to keep every long broken burger king toy or plush. And I shouldn't keep my older games collecting dust in a box. If they're that important to me, they should be treated as the special keepsakes they are and not like clutter. I know I'm not your usual demographic, but your channel does a lot to inspire me to make my home comfort and to be myself ❤

[natashabraga]

Identity clutter gets me. I have held on to college biology notebooks for the last 25 years just because they look so nice and neat. No one else will ever care about this, but I feel so proud of myself for how much effort I put into my studies and how meticulous I was with my work.