I hate it. It depresses me to see piles of stuff in corners and on surfaces. We have cupboards stuffed with things we don’t use and a garage filled with stuff we don’t need.

So why don’t I do something about it? That’s the question isn’t it? I feel I’ve tried. At last count I had three paperbacks on the shelf, and one book on my kindle about clutter and how to banish it. I’ve read them all and I understand the theory, but have I done anything about it? Well, I’ve usually managed to get fired up enough to tackle a couple of areas with each book. Maybe the answer lies with buying a couple of dozen more books on the subject?

I’d like to point out that our clutter has not taken over the whole house – yet. The kitchen and bathrooms are kept relatively clutter fee, it’s not lining the hallways and I keep the stairs clear. There are some empty surfaces and most of the stuff lying around has a place it *should* be. But it’s lying around instead. And I would like it not to be.

I don’t want a show home or one with very little on display. I want photos on the mantelpiece, books on the shelves and toys in the living rooms. I want the place to look lived in. I don’t care what other people think, but I do find having so much random stuff lying around the house a little oppressive.

My DH doesn’t notice the clutter until he can’t find what he’s looking for, and the kids certainly don’t care. It’s just me who is bothered, which makes sorting it out harder. But I am grateful that DH isn’t the tidy sort, I doubt we’d still be married if he was given to commenting on my house keeping.

I’m frustrated that I just can’t seem to make myself sort it out. It’s like I’m paralysed by the sheer size of the task. Books give me some motivation for a while, but it doesn’t last. I’ve even paid for a professional declutterer to come in on a couple of occasions. She was helpful but only had time to do a small area. I didn’t carry on by myself.

I feel overwhelmed by the size of the job. We have 15 rooms in the house if you count the hallway and garage and all of them need some attention.

What do I get out of having a cluttered house? There must be some positives in it for me. I think it appeals to the rebel in me on some level. By letting ‘my’ house get into, and stay in, such a state I’m showing what a terrible housewife I am. I am reading ‘Wifework’ atm and do identify with a lot of the book.

I feel shoehorned into my role as a housewife and mother. I went to university and got a good degree. Once upon a time I had a career. We agreed to get married and have children. And DH earns much more than I ever could, so it wouldn’t make sense for him to be a SAHD, but part of me is throwing a tantrum because we never actually sat down and discussed how this would work. I don’t WANT to be a housewife.

I enjoy decluttering once I get going. It feels great to throw things away and to have a lovely tidy, organised space where before there was just mess. I just find it hard to get started.

I don’t WANT to have to be responsible for everyone’s stuff and the state of the house that we all live in together. We have a cleaner and she keeps things clean but I can’t expect her to declutter. But I don’t want the job, I want it to be someone else’s responsibility.

I know what will happen because it’s what always happens.Our clutter will gradually build up until I can’t stand it any more, and I have to do something about it. I will begrudgingly sort out the offending area and keep it pristine for a week or two. But then clutter from other places will encroach into the clutter free areas, and the cycle will start all over again.

I’m not sure that anyone can go from having a cluttered house to suddenly having, and maintaining an uncluttered one. You either do clutter, or you don’t.

I do, and as much as I hate to say it, it’s here to stay.

This post was written for The Friday Club Home Carnival over at Notes From Home.