What are clutter magnets? They are those spots that tend to accumulate clutter no matter what you seem to do to change them! Maybe they look something like this?
WHERE::Let’s identify some possible areas that might be clutter magnets in your home.
- By the front door, on a table or bench, anywhere in the “Drop zone”.
- Kitchen or Dining Room tables, any vertical surface is in danger of becoming a clutter magnet and tables, no matter how we try to keep them cleaned off always attract stuff.
- Kitchen counters, especially if you have an entrance near by.
- Bags! Sweep it into the bag, never to be seen again!
- Your Car? The kids extra toys, clothes, trash and more…
- Desktops, some stuff should land here just make sure you are constantly addressing it.
WHAT::This is the stuff that tends to accumulate in the Clutter Magnet zones. Could be just about anything but here are some commonly “magnetic” items.
- Keys/keychains
- Wallets
- Backpacks
- Purses
- Umbrellas
- Clothes/accessories
- Sports equipment/toys
- Books
- Lunch bags, water bottles and other snack/food items
- Projects (paperwork, hobbies, homework etc)
WHY::Can we be honest about why these zones are like this?
- Laziness, put stuff back where it belongs! (I’m not judging…I’m just saying!)
- Homeless stuff, if you don’t know where to put it then it will land just about anywhere.
- Bad habits, these can be changed.
- Too busy-this really isn’t an excuse if you have created solutions for your stuff-take the right action (see Laziness:).
HOW::Can we change this behavior?
- Turn these clutter magnets into clutter free zones!
- Identify what lands in your clutter magnet and decide where everything belongs.
- Create homes for the homeless stuff.
- Use hooks for keys, bags (purses, backpacks etc)
- Shelves for electronics, wallets and other “pocket contents”.
- Baskets or boxes for mail… better yet drop what you don’t need right into recycling and take the rest to your desk “action” file or inbox.
I”m not going to lie, this may not be easy but you can change this habit by paying attention to where, what and why. Then implement a plan and practice, practice, practice until it becomes a new habit.
