Decluttering: The Psychology Behind Why We Accumulate Too Much

In this episode of The Connected Community Podcast, Nicky Yazbeck is joined by Kate Evans, a psychologist and life and home decluttering coach, to explore the deeper emotional and psychological layers of decluttering. Together, they unpack why letting go of possessions can feel overwhelming and why clutter is rarely just about the physical items piling up.

 

Kate shares how decluttering is intimately tied to mental health, values, and personal history, highlighting the role of anxiety, depression, relationships, and even upbringing in shaping our attachment to things. She explains how sentimental value, the sunk cost fallacy, and the weight of family heirlooms often stand in the way of creating clear, intentional spaces. The conversation distinguishes between clutter and organization, emphasizing that true decluttering isn’t about perfect systems but about aligning one’s environment with one’s life and personality.

 

Kate also introduces her upcoming book, Ditch Your Sht: Decluttering Your Mindset to Declutter Your Home*, due out this October. Drawing from her own experiences, she encourages listeners to approach decluttering with compassion, understanding that they are not broken or failing if they struggle with it. Instead, the process is about acknowledging emotional barriers, facing fears, and creating sustainable systems that genuinely support well-being and joyful living

 

 

 

Takeaways

• Decluttering is not just about physical items; it's deeply emotional.
• Items can symbolize our beliefs and memories, making it hard to let go.
• The sunk cost fallacy can trap us into keeping unnecessary items.
• Finding sustainable ways to let go of items is crucial.
• Family heirlooms can carry emotional weight that complicates decluttering.
• Most adult children do not want the items their parents hold onto for them.
• Keeping multiples of items often stems from a fear of scarcity.
• Clutter and organization are not the same; true decluttering removes excess.
• The one in, one out rule helps maintain a clutter-free space.
• Awareness and intentionality are key to successful decluttering.

 

Chapters:

00:00 The Emotional Weight of Decluttering

04:01 Understanding Sentimental Attachments

06:47 The Sunk Cost Fallacy in Decluttering

09:44 Navigating Guilt and Responsibility

11:58 The Challenge of Family Heirlooms

14:32 Letting Go of Expectations for Future Generations

16:00 The Burden of Multiples and Unused Items

22:26 Decluttering Electronics and Boxes

23:34 The Dangers of Excess: Kitchen Tools and Gadgets

24:42 Mindset Around Scarcity and Abundance

26:36 Understanding Emotional Attachments to Items

28:19 Managing Linens and Towels Effectively

29:43 Clutter vs. Organization: The Tetris Master

32:09 One In, One Out: Maintaining Decluttered Spaces

35:27 The Motivation Behind Decluttering

39:52 Introducing 'Ditch Your Shit': A New Approach to Decluttering

 

 

Connect with me:

https://nickyYyoga.com

https://www.youtube.com/@TheConnectedCommunity

[e-mail]

 

Connect with Kate:

https://www.soulfulspacecoaching.com/

@katesevans.coaching 

 

Keywords: decluttering, psychology, emotional attachments, sentimental value, sunk cost fallacy, family heirlooms, organization, clutter, mental health