Overcoming a 'Scarcity Mindset' When Decluttering
By Renee Procenko
Do you keep things just in case you might need them someday, even though you’ve had them for years and probably never used them once?
Holding onto the belief that we cannot let go of our clutter ‘just in case’ we might need it someday or that we might not have the money to replace it should we need it in the future is a ‘scarcity mindset’. This is a common reason why many people feel unable to get rid of items they no longer need, use or love (aka clutter) and become overly cautious about letting go of anything.
You may not have heard of a scarcity mindset before, and be equally unaware that you have one, but it can be one of the biggest roadblocks when it comes to decluttering your home. While not as serious as hoarding, having a scarcity mindset can prevent you from reclaiming your space and living a happy and healthy, clutter-free life.
How a scarcity mindset can make clutter worse
A scarcity mindset is usually something that is passed down through generations. For me, I lived on a farm and grew up conditioned to hold onto most things in case we could find a use for them later or repurpose them. This is a classic example of a scarcity mindset and how it shows up in my adult life is my desire to hold onto glass jars of all shapes and sizes, cardboard boxes, and unused plant pots (to name only a few) just in case I might need them someday and would regret letting them go.
Although I keep a neat and tidy home, there were always areas (usually in the basement and in designated cupboards and drawers) where I stashed the things that I simply could not muster the willpower to sort through and release.
While this is not as bad as hoarding by any means, it certainly leads to a serious build-up of random clutter that, even though it is well organized, should have gone a long time ago.
How I overcame my scarcity mindset
It wasn’t until the COVID pandemic when I, like everyone else, thought real estate would come to a screeching halt so decided to study Feng Shui. I was very interested in learning this ancient Chinese method of balancing and improving the flow of energy in the home for the purpose of creating peace and prosperity. I mean, who doesn’t want more peace and prosperity in their life?
The Chinese believe that in order for your life to work well, it is vital to have a good flow of energy in your home. Feng shui teaches many ways to improve this energy flow, and clutter clearing is the first and most important step in this process.
So that’s when I began to take decluttering seriously and quickly realized that I had to also confront a scarcity mindset. Here are the 5 things I did to wrangle-in my scarcity issues, reclaim my space and live clutter-free.
- Figuring out where my ‘scarcity thinking’ came from
If you have scarcity issues, the only way to change this debilitating habit is to first figure out where this mindset came from. For me, I learned it from my parents, who learned it from their parents. If you learned it from someone else too, make a clear decision about whether you want to continue to follow their example or not. How did it work out for them? Did they have the kind of life you really want to have? Does it make any sense to be living their life instead of your own?
While sorting through my stuff, I focused on being grateful for what I had and found that by doing this repeatedly, my scarcity mindset had nothing to hold onto and began to melt away.
- Practicing different clutter-clearing methods to find what works best
I have had the opportunity to test several clutter-clearing systems and one method that I think is very useful,
especially if you have a short attention span or small increments of available time, is the 'ski slope' organizing method.
The ‘ski slope’ method involves breaking down a room into separate areas starting in one section, tidying and decluttering it, then crossing over to the other side of the room to tackle a different area. Think of a room like a slope, by moving from corner to corner instead of diving head-first down the mountain and crashing before you reach your end goal.
This allows you to easily work in 20 minute increments instead of tackling an entire room or decluttering by category à la Marie Kondo style, which I personally do not recommend.
- Appreciating that I didn’t miss the things I let go of after all
When I got serious about clutter-clearing, a major step in overcoming my scarcity mindset was the realization that not only did I NOT miss the things I got rid of, but that I couldn’t even remember most of what I gave away or trashed – a clear sign that these items were no longer needed, used or loved. This helped me to build my decluttering muscle, allowing me to get rid of more things, especially clothing!
PRO TIP: When you come across things that you know constitute clutter but you truly do not feel ready to part with them yet, a great technique is to put them in a box and then stash the box away in the basement or garage. Make a note in your calendar to go through it in 3 or 6 months. Try to remember what’s in it before you open it. Chances are you will have forgotten, in which case it proves the point that you don’t really need any of those things…your life has gone on perfectly well without them.
- Realizing that practically everything is replaceable
Thanks to the internet and companies like Amazon, most things are only one day away. This realization was really helpful in letting things go – especially when I started following the 20/20 rule for decluttering. The idea is that any item that I can replace for less than $20 and in under 20 minutes (or look up and place the order for in under 20 minutes) can be safely let go of as I know it is simple to get back should I need it.
- Getting professional help
When it comes to clutter-clearing, people with scarcity issues are usually reluctant to seek professional help because they prefer to spend money on something they can keep instead of paying someone to help them let things go.
There is no harm in seeking help either from a professional declutter expert who can assist with the sorting of a lifetime of possessions and their removal or, if you think a scarcity mindset is hampering your life, a therapist who can help to develop some more helpful thinking styles to get you out of your rut – or both!
Recently, my husband and I hired Shirley Coughlin (photo on right), owner of Downsizing Diva - Markham, to help us sort and clear the junk in our garage. In just 3 hours we had the entire thing swept and reorganized while happily watching a load of our junk being hauled off to the dump. Best money spent in years!
Don't get me wrong, I still sometimes struggle with keeping on top of clutter, especially paper! But I have found so much benefit in shifting my scarcity mindset and living clutter-free that I fully intend to keep it that way. Maybe you’ll give it a shot too?
You might also enjoy reading: 7 Essential Questions to Ask When Clearing Clutter