Many individual and group clients with whom I’ve worked have mentioned how someone close to them initially struggled with their decision to declutter. Friends, parents, siblings, partners and children can sometimes demonstrate their lack of consensus or support through joking, questioning or even arguing when the plan to clear out is announced. This can be unhelpful and upsetting, especially when all the person really wants to do is to move forward.
Although friends and family may not admit to (or are even consciously aware of) their worries, they typically include the following:
- How will they change after decluttering?
- Where do I fit in to their plan for change?
- Will I feel under pressure to declutter?
- How will our home change?
- Will they throw out my stuff?
- Will they ever want to go shopping with me again?
- Will I feel guilty when I shop in the future?
Warning: This dog may not support your decluttering
Some of these concerns might surprise you as we expect that our nearest and dearest should have our best interests at heart. Our tribe tends to share our values and beliefs around organisation, possessions, lifestyle and shopping, so it’s natural that we might meet a little opposition if we want to change the habits of a lifetime.
Remember, we all have a different road to take and it’s important to respect where everyone is at. That said, I find when the decluttering is done and those around us recognise that it was all positive anyway (and their own stuff is still intact and they can still enjoy shopping!) they can then really appreciate the results.
© Copyright Breda Stack The Declutter Therapist 2014
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