| f the worst habits a person can fall into is hanging | | | | because of memory impairment. Elderly people |
| onto things no longer needed. Learning to let go | | | | who suffer memory loss may forget things |
| of clutter is one of the hardest things for a | | | | they’ve already bought and end up with |
| packrat to learn. Some people just see to be | | | | an entire drawer or cabinet of one type of item. |
| born with a tendency to hoard things. | | | | It’s interesting to attend a garage sale |
| Sometimes a person has a problem with letting | | | | and see just what constitutes clutter to different |
| go of clutter because of a poor financial state | | | | families. The kids decide to let go of toys |
| they were forced to endure. Children growing up | | | | they’ve outgrown, teens will let go of |
| with little to claim as their own may develop a | | | | books they no longer read or music they no |
| habit of hoarding things once they acquire a | | | | longer play. Kids outgrow clothes and styles. A |
| better lifestyle. A person constantly on the move | | | | husband decides he no longer needs certain tools |
| in their younger years may hoard clutter once | | | | or camping equipment once the kids have grown |
| they settle down. | | | | up and moved away. |
| An older person who has lost a loved one may | | | | Letting go of clutter can be sad in some cases. |
| have a hard time letting go of any clutter that | | | | You realize you really have no reason to hold |
| belonged to their loved one. | | | | onto your child’s first grade drawings or |
| A parent whose child has run away or been | | | | that toy car collection. Maybe Aunt Sallie is gone |
| kidnapped or slipped into a coma may not be able | | | | now, and you still have her hundreds of crochet |
| to let go of the clutter belonging to that child. | | | | books and never cared to learn to crochet |
| Some people enjoy being a person someone can | | | | yourself. |
| go to when they need something. To let go of | | | | Letting go of also be a time to shut the door on |
| clutter is to let go of a part of who | | | | the past or to end habits and start over fresh. |
| they’ve become. They use the excuse | | | | New beginnings can be scary and invigorating at |
| that something useless may someday come in | | | | the same time. Ask a college student having to |
| handy for someone. Like when a child will brag on | | | | clean out their clutter so they can earn some |
| a grandparent because they always have just | | | | money to help pay their tuition or fuel for their |
| what they were looking for. To let go of clutter | | | | car. |
| may make them feel they’re losing a | | | | Ask a high school student having to clean out |
| connection that draws others to them in times of | | | | their bedroom at their parents’ house |
| need. | | | | because they’re moving away to another |
| It’s a source of amazement to discover | | | | state for school or a job opportunity. But clutter |
| what an elderly person could not let go of when | | | | is just that---stuff. Clean out the old and make |
| it’s time to hold an estate sale for their | | | | room for the new. |
| belongings. Sometimes they will acquire clutter | | | | |