A Home Organizer Likes Stuff, Too — Amy Louise Organizing

Based on my work in Chicago, I suspect many people assume home organizers are minimalists. Many people seem relieved when I don’t pressure them to get rid of things. On the contrary, I believe most professional home organizers embrace “functional maximalism,” a philosophy that allows for plenty of possessions with a heavy dose of mindfulness.

In other words, home organizers like stuff, too. We just don’t want it to rule us and make us miserable.

If you’re concerned about having too much stuff, ask yourself some questions.

Do your possessions serve a purpose in your life?
Do you enjoy and use them?
Can you comfortably afford to store and maintain them?
Do they add to your personal enjoyment of being inside your home?
Are you comfortable with piles and light surface clutter?
Are you able to maintain a clean and safe environment?
Are other members of the household generally happy with the state of the home?

If you answered yes to most or all these questions, then you’re likely a functional maximalist. There’s no reason to completely change your identity and pursue minimalism. Minimalism is not objectively better than maximalism. These are personal preferences. The key to success when it comes to either philosophy is how well it functions.

However, problems occur for maximalists when they lack or lose function in their homes.

COMMON CLUTTER CHALLENGES

You tend to collect certain things, but increasingly struggle to store, access, and maintain them. You’ve run out of space and now you can’t maneuver through certain areas very well.
You can’t find items when you need them because they’re scattered all over the house so you frequently purchase duplicates. You’d like to get items into better, more logical places, but you don’t know where to begin.
Over time, you’ve allowed many wonderful and useful things to come into your home, but you’ve rarely removed old items. You revisit them with fondness and recall how you paid good money for them. It seems a shame to get rid of perfectly good things, even if you don’t use them anymore.
You’ve lived in a large suburban home for years and are now downsizing to a two-bedroom apartment. To fit into this smaller space, you need to part with up to 75 percent of everything you own, but that feels impossible. You love your stuff!

Even for someone who is happier with more, there is such a thing as too much stuff or too few systems to support the volume of items. When this happens, clutter takes over and suddenly your home is a source of stress for you and others.

DECLUTTERING TIPS TO ADD FUNCTION BACK INTO YOUR LIFE

Functional maximalism is about having more, but only if it serves a purpose. Make sure that everything you keep serves a functional purpose in your life.

Identify what’s important: Before decluttering, it's important to identify what’s truly important to you. This will help you determine what to keep and what to pass on.
Start small: Decluttering can be overwhelming, so it's important to take it one step at a time. Begin by tackling a small area, such as a single drawer or shelf, and work your way up from there.
Use the "one in, one out" rule: For every new item that you bring into your home, try to get rid of something else. This will help to prevent clutter from building up over time.
Consider the true cost of your possessions: When deciding whether to keep or get rid of an item, think about the true cost of owning it. This includes not just the financial cost, but also the time and energy required to maintain and store it.
Be intentional with new acquisitions: When bringing new items into your home, be intentional with what you choose. Only bring in items that serve a purpose and enhance your quality of life.
Delete the duplicates: Do you really need three sets of measuring cups or five different types of cleaning products? Simplify your possessions by getting rid of duplicates and keeping only what you need and use.
Create better storage: Sometimes, you just don’t have a good way to store the many things you do have and want to keep. If this is you, reviewing and upgrading your storage solutions will go a long way.

Sure, some home organizers are minimalists, but most probably aren’t. Their personal preferences shouldn’t impact their work with you either way. Whatever philosophy you embrace is valid and can enhance your quality of life if it’s done mindfully. Home organizers can help with decluttering and downsizing for maximalists by helping them identify what’s truly important to them, and then helping them carry out the necessary changes to create function and peace in their homes.

If you're a maximalist at heart, don't be afraid to embrace it and create a space that truly makes you happy!