The Clutter I’ve Seen in 2 Years of Business (And What It Taught Me)

If you’ve ever wondered why clutter keeps showing up in your home no matter how many times you tidy up, you’re not alone. As a professional organizer, I’ve spent the past two years helping busy families reduce stress, create systems, and finally deal with the most common clutter culprits. From overflowing Tupperware drawers to bins of “someday” items collecting dust, these are the patterns that appear again and again. And the good news? Once you recognize them, you’ll know exactly where to start.

Two years ago, I left behind a demanding executive career to start something smaller, scarier, and infinitely closer to my heart: wellnested living Co.

Since then, I’ve walked into dozens of homes, rolled up my sleeves with countless families, and sorted through thousands of objects. The work has been about clutter, yes - but really, it’s about the people behind it, the lives those items represent, and the peace that comes when you finally let go.

To celebrate two years in business, I thought I’d share a behind-the-scenes look at the most common clutter culprits I’ve seen in homes - and more importantly, what they teach us about our habits, our emotions, and how we live.

Kitchen Clutter

• Tupperware with no matching lid

• Kids’ cups, dishes, and straws missing parts

• Water bottles that seem to multiply overnight

• Wedding gift glassware and china that never gets used

  
  

What it teaches us: Our kitchens are full of “just in case” items and guilt (about unused gifts, money spent, or family expectations). Letting go creates space for what we actually use daily.

Living Room Clutter

• Stacks of unread or half-finished books

• Magazines and newspapers that pile up

  
  

What it teaches us: Our living spaces often hold the weight of good intentions. Releasing them doesn’t mean you’ve failed — it means you’re making space for the life you’re actually living right now.

Kids’ Space Clutter

• Toys and small parts scattered everywhere

• Hand-me-downs you never wanted

• Artwork that multiplies daily

  
  

What it teaches us: Kids grow fast, and so does their stuff. Being selective helps avoid overwhelm - for them and for you.

Closet and Bedroom Clutter

• Clothes that don’t fit anymore

• Shoes that never get worn

• Keepsakes and relics of our younger years

  
  

What it teaches us: Closets often hold our “someday selves.” But if an item only reminds you of guilt or the past, it’s costing you peace in the present.

Office and Paper Clutter

• Greeting cards you feel guilty tossing

• Bills, receipts, and paperwork avalanches

  
  

What it teaches us: Paper is sneaky - it multiplies in silence. Most of it is noise. Setting simple systems (and letting go of guilt) is the only way to stay ahead.

Storage Clutter (Garage, Basement, Attic)

• Boxes and packaging you meant to recycle

• Bins of “someday” items collecting dust

• Seasonal decor that never leaves the bin

  
  

What it teaches us: Storage spaces are procrastination havens. They hold things we don’t want to decide on. Making a call now clears the weight of those delayed decisions.

The Bigger Takeaway

These items aren’t random — they represent:

• Delayed decisions (“I’ll deal with this later”)

• Guilt (“I spent money on this” or “it was a gift”)

• Future fantasies (“Someday I’ll use it”)

• Pressure to be someone we’re not

  
  

Once you recognize these patterns, decluttering becomes less overwhelming. Instead of “Where do I start?” you can begin with the usual suspects: the water bottles, the paper piles, the kids’ cups with missing lids.

And each time you release one, you reclaim a little more space, energy, and calm.

My Biggest Lesson After 2 Years

Clutter is universal. Everyone has it. But the freedom you feel when you finally let it go? That’s personal. And it’s always worth it.

So tell me: Which of these clutter culprits shows up most in your home? Let me know in the comments - or better yet, start by clearing one today.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by clutter, start small. Focus on the most common clutter culprits - the extra mugs, the paper piles, the “someday” bins. By tackling these hotspots first, you’ll see quick wins that build momentum. And if you need accountability, guidance, or just someone to remind you that you’re not alone in this, that’s exactly why I started wellnested living Co. Book a free consult call here.