WHAT IS CLUTTER ACTUALLY COSTING YOU? Today, we’re going to address the topic of unfinished projects. This is the type of clutter that we feel the most guilt about parting with. But, did you know that unfinished project clutter is actually costing you? And, I don’t mean money. It truly costs you so much more.

Did you know you are no wealthier by keeping clutter around? Nor are you any poorer for giving it away. The money you spent purchasing the item is long gone. So, dismiss the guilt and consider giving it to someone who may need it.

I’m sure you’ve read or heard that clutter causes a host of health issues and is even linked to depression. However, my experience is that the problem with unfinished projects causes a whole host of mental issues- guilt, shame, negative self-talk, just to name a few.

So, let’s get behind the cause of this unfinished projects and address the real issue of this type of clutter. There are a few types of people who have this issue. Let’s examine a few.

Type 1: The Starter

Are you the type to get excited about something you saw or read about that prompted you to try it? Maybe it was a new hobby or a craft or even a remodel project. Then, you got halfway into it and lost interest or changed your mind.

Maybe you decided it wasn’t turning out like you had hoped, but it was too late. You were already too committed and couldn’t undo what you started. If that describes you, that’s ok.

We’re trying to get to the root cause, so you can recognize if you have these tendencies. If you do, you can prevent that from happening again. Now, this unfinished project is costing you more than you bargained for.

Type 2: The Perfectionist

Are you the type of person who won’t finish or even start a project unless you can do it perfectly? If so, you are the perfectionist.

You are likely to procrastinate project completion because something, whether physical or mental, has convinced you that it can’t be completed perfectly. Your issue may be in your own head.

Consider whether negative self talk has convinced you that this project is nowhere near the perfect ideal you first envisioned. Now, this unfinished project is costing you mental peace.

Type 3: The Overly Committed

Are you the type of person who takes on multiple tasks and cannot say “no” to anyone or anything? If this is you, you may be the busiest person in the world, but also the most unsatisfied.

You likely have multiple unfinished projects because you took on more than you or anyone on earth could reasonably handle.  Let’s look at some underlying issues here.

Have you ever thought of why you refuse to say “no” to so much?

Are you trying to prove something to someone else?

Are you trying to gain the approval and acceptance of others?

Are you wanting to impress others by how much you accomplish?

All of these driving factors are causing you to become busy beyond satisfaction. If you continue to burn the candle at both ends, you’re very likely to burn out. 

Now that we’ve examined three common types of people who have unfinished projects, let’s look at what you can actually do about them. Basically you have one of two choices. You can either finish it or toss it.

 You’re likely thinking, “Oh, no! You can’t toss it!” Well, yes, you can give yourself permission to do just that. What if ridding yourself of that unfinished project actually restores your peace of mind?

Now, it no longer lingers in your thoughts. It no longer has the power to cause you to feel guilty. Wouldn’t mental peace be even greater than monetary cost? I think it is. If you just can’t toss it, your next best option is to complete it.

For you perfectionist types, remember this. Done is better than perfect. If you are planning to complete this unfinished project, set yourself a timeline to get it fully completed. Can you devote a half hour a day? A full day? Do whatever is necessary to simply get it done.

In return, you’ll gain the personal satisfaction of a job completed. It will no longer linger in your thoughts and rob your peace. After all, decluttering unfinished projects also declutters your brain. It no longer has power over you, and you know what? You are worth it. Having a clean and organized home is worth it. You deserve to live in a space that you love.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post. Subscribe to my website, and you’ll find more like this one. Join me on the journey to a peaceful, clean, and organized home. To subscribe, leave a comment below.

Need to deep clean? I have lists for you to guide you along.

My How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen list can be found here.

My How to Deep Clean Your Bathroom list can be found here.

My How to Deep Clean Your Kids’ Rooms list can be found here.

My How to Deep Clean Your Living Room list can be found here.

My How to Deep Clean Your Bedroom list can be found here.

Also, to keep up the general housework, you may need to create a daily housekeeping schedule that suits your specific needs. To do so, I have created a helpful series you can read here.

Need to Declutter Every room? I have declutter checklists for every room and every space in your home to guide you along below.

2022 update: The year long thorough declutter series is on video now. You can subscribe via youtube through the video shown in this post below.

How to Declutter the Guest Room or Your Kid’s Room checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Laundry Room and Patio checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Coat Closet/Hall Closet/Linen Closet checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Home Office checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Attic checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Garage checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Living Room checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Kitchen Checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Entry/Foyer/Mudroom checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Clothing checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Bedroom checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Bathroom checklist can be found here.

Happy Decluttering!

To Subscribe to this Declutter Series, drop me a comment below. Your email will be sent to me but will not be posted publicly. You’ll receive a daily declutter task via email for the daily task we are working on. You can unsubscribe at any time.

The Year Long Thorough Declutter Series is designed to help you declutter every room and every space in your home by working 30 minutes day, 5 days a week. Subscribe below to get your daily task.

New to deemiddleton.com and don’t know where to start? I recommend going in this order:

Step 1: Check out this post on the 1st step you should take to get organized. If you don’t have a calendar, you can grab my free weekly printable calendar page here. It is in my shopify store, but it is totally free, so you won’t be prompted to put in any payment information. It is a free download and will be delivered straight to your email.

Step 2: Create a daily Housekeeping Schedule. You can use this series to start to set up your own schedule. You can also use this simplified weekly schedule.If you often ask: What is the fastest way to clean a dirty house? Or, if you struggle to get organized and have tried and failed time and again, you can likely find out which of these 11 reasons cause you to fail to get organized.

Step 3:   How do you remove clutter?.…Sign up for the Declutter Series and get your entire home decluttered in just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.”Declutter Your Home” checklists are provided in each email.

Step 4: What is the fastest way to clean a dirty house? Use a timer and use the Deep Cleaning Checklists above. They will help you get your home sparkling after you’ve decluttered. 

Interested in becoming a full-time blogger like me? Check out my blogging series. At the top of every page on my blog, you’ll find a drop down menu. Just select the BLOGGING category.

Check out the most popular posts on deemiddleton.com: 

14 Things That Make Your Home Look Cluttered

How to Do A 1 Day Declutter

How to Create a Daily Housekeeping Schedule

How to Clean House When You Are Completely Overwhelmed By Clutter

What is Preventing You From Getting Organized?

Also, check out a great post on decluttering over here from becomingminimalist.com. Joshua Becker has some great tips on decluttering and minimalism.

For further reading, check out the fly lady here. She has some great cleaning and kitchen decluttering ideas plus excellent organization tips to get you started.

I hope you have been given some food for thought on the topic of “WHAT IS CLUTTER ACTUALLY COSTING YOU?” Leave me a comment below and let me know how clutter and decluttering has affected you.