Hi, I’m Rita Wilkins, the Downsizing Designer, and welcome to this week’s blog! 

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why is it so hard for me to declutter?” or “Why do other people seem to have no problem letting go of things?”—you’re not alone. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to decluttering, and the key to lasting success often starts with a deeper understanding of you. 

In this blog, we’re going to explore what I call your “Clutter Personality”—the way your habits, emotions, and beliefs influence how you hold onto things. Once you understand your unique clutter type, you’ll be better equipped to find strategies that actually work for you—not just another checklist that ends up collecting dust. 

Why Self-Awareness Matters in Decluttering 

So many people struggle with clutter not because they’re disorganized, but because they’ve never taken the time to ask: 

  • What’s behind my clutter? 
  • What am I afraid of letting go of? 
  • What does my stuff say about how I see myself? 

Understanding your clutter personality helps you uncover the emotional roots of your clutter—and once you see them clearly, you can finally take steps to release them. 

The 5 Most Common Clutter Personalities 

Over the years, I’ve worked with thousands of people trying to simplify their homes and lives. While everyone’s story is unique, most fall into one (or more) of these clutter personalities: 

1. The Sentimental Keeper 

You keep things because they remind you of a special memory or person. 
✔ Struggle: Letting go feels like erasing the past. 
✔ Solution: Choose a few meaningful items to keep or display. Take photos of the rest to preserve the memory without the physical clutter. 

2. The Bargain Hoarder 

You love a good deal and keep items “just in case” because they were free or inexpensive. 
✔ Struggle: You feel wasteful if you throw something away. 
✔ Solution: Remind yourself that true value lies in use, not in price. Donate duplicates and let your extra blessings serve others. 

3. The Aspirational Minimalist 

You keep things that reflect who you want to be—craft supplies, workout gear, clothes for a future version of yourself. 
✔ Struggle: Letting go feels like giving up on your goals. 
✔ Solution: Focus on the version of you who exists now. Donate items that no longer align with your current life and make space for what you’re truly passionate about today. 

4. The Overwhelmed Avoider 

You’re too busy, too tired, or too overwhelmed to even start. So things pile up, and you feel stuck. 
✔ Struggle: Decluttering feels exhausting before it even begins. 
✔ Solution: Start small. One drawer, one shelf, or five items a day. Use a timer and give yourself grace. Progress, not perfection. 

5. The Security Keeper 

You keep extras of everything because they give you a sense of control or comfort. 
✔ Struggle: Letting go feels unsafe or irresponsible. 
✔ Solution: Set limits. Keep the best, let go of the rest. Remind yourself that you’ll be okay—and even freer—without all the backups. 

How to Identify Your Clutter Personality 

Not sure which one you are? You might be a mix! Ask yourself: 

  • Which type do I emotionally relate to most? 
  • What’s the most common reason I avoid letting go of things? 
  • When I try to declutter, where do I get stuck? 

When you know your clutter personality, you stop blaming yourself—and start building systems that actually support the way you operate. 

The First Step to Letting Go 

Awareness leads to compassion. Instead of feeling guilty about your clutter, get curious about it. What is it really telling you? What might you be ready to release—physically, mentally, and emotionally? 

The more you understand your clutter personality, the easier it is to create a personalized, compassionate path toward letting go. 

Need a Companion Tool to Help You Begin? 

If you want help recognizing your habits and making real progress, my Emotional Clutter Workbook is a great starting point. It walks you through the five emotional clutter types and offers simple, healing exercises to help you move forward. 

Purchase Rita’s Emotional Clutter Workbook today and begin your journey to a lighter, freer life. 

Got 5 minutes? Check out Rita’s 5 in 5 weekly series, where I share five quick tips in just five minutes on decluttering and simplifying your life.