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So many people have clutter because they wait to put things away, or they delay tossing something out they no longer need. Things are put in a temporary place 'just for now' and those temporary storage areas often become problem clutter spots.
For instance, if there's already one sheet of paper left out on your desk, will it really make a big difference if there are two sheets left out, or three or four? Actually, it will make a huge difference because before you know it, you'll have an enormous stack of paper on your desk!
What about if you toss a jacket over the back of the sofa? Only one jacket, right? Well, what if your spouse walks in and tosses his or her jacket right next to yours? After all, you've just expressed that it's OK to do so by tossing your jacket over the sofa. Then, your kids come home from school and toss their jackets over the sofa, because they figure if the system is good enough for mom and dad, then it's good enough for them too. It won't take long for your home to be a mess.
Have you ever heard of the broken window theory? If there's an old, abandoned factory in a town and it has one broken window that's left broken, before long there will be two broken windows, three broken windows, four, five--until the building is full of broken windows and the neighborhood begins to deteriorate.
It's just the way it goes. If nobody cares enough to fix the first broken window, some others will be compelled to break more windows because there is no order or enforcement of rules in this town.
The broken window theory, can be applied to most areas of your life. If you let the small stuff go, the small stuff will soon turn into big stuff.
So, the next time you consider tossing the mail on the coffee table instead of going through it right now, or letting the laundry pile up all week rather than doing a load a day, think about the broken window theory.
Most clutter can be avoided by simply taking a moment to put things away now, or by immediately getting rid of things you no longer need.
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Home  Clutter The Organized Clutter Don't Encourage More Clutter
Clutter Control 101
Don't Encourage More Clutter
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