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Our Life Is Affected by Excess Clutter That Weighs Us Down

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Our Life Is Affected by Excess Clutter That Weighs Us Down
It was a necessary realization to me how much living among excess clutter could harm my health, physically and emotionally. We may think it is just a cleaning process, but the depth of the problem will open our eyes to realize how and why the effect of clutter weighs us down. Why it is hard to unclutter? Why can’t it be organized? Why is more clutter mounting up? Emotionally attached objects are hard to get rid of. New attractive items are found in markets all the time. Consequently, clutter can easily mount up in one’s life.
Clutter and disorganization impairs productivity. By knowing these facts as problems, we can start searching for the solutions to make our life so much easier. I wanted to find solutions as I was living with excess clutter! I will be introducing a practical method to end excess clutter called “Danshari.” Danshari is a new notion of de-cluttering that has been prevalent in Japan. The idea includes the concept of removing the emotional burden that comes with having too many items. Furthermore, Danshari teaches people to let go of their burdens and make clear plans for a better future.

We need to understand that clutter is created by unorganized people who are creating physical and mental danger for themselves. Physically, if one lives in a cluttered house, one probably doesn’t eat well, because the kitchen isn’t functional. The person most likely doesn’t even know what is in the refrigerator and whether or not their food is contaminated. People start to realize the need of de-cluttering when there is a distinct element of danger due to the excess clutter. However, unless one is highly organized, one would most likely understate the problem. People may think it is an issue of space when they approach the problem of de-cluttering. However, this subjectively viewed space problem can be solved by organizing accordingly by acquiring trash bags and containers. According to David F. Tolin, Director of the Anxiety Disorders Center at



References: 1. Black. D. "A review of compulsive buying disorder" ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. World Psychiatry. 6 February, 2007. Web. 24 April. 2012 2. Tolin, D. F., Frost, R. O., & Steketee, G. "Buried in treasures: help for compulsive acquiring, saving, and hoarding." Oxford University Press, 2007. 3. Holdbrook, M. B. "Consumer Value: A Framework for Analysis and Research” Taylor & Francis e-Library ed. Routledge. 2002. 4. Francine, J. "Minimalism around the World: Danshari." Miss minimalist, 11 Aug. 2011. Web. 19 April 2012. 5. Kupfermann, J. "The hoarder fights back." Solo Syndication Ltd. News Paper article. January 2, 2011. 6. Tolin, D. F. “A Clutter Too Deep for Mere Bins and Shelves.” Nytimes.com. The New York Times, 1 January, 2008. Web. 28 April. 2012 7. Steketee, Gail & Frost, Randy. "Compulsive Hoarding and Acquiring: Workbook." Oxford University Press, Nov 2006. 8. Yamshita, H. “Danshari – Hideko Yamashita official site.” Danshari.com. Keiei Kagaku public, co, ltd. 20 April, 2010. Web. 26 April. 2012

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