Decluttering fatigue is real: How the 'unfinished business' test can get rid of your mess for good

As the seasons shift to fall, the home is naturally cleared of clutter, inviting a sense of coziness. However, determining what to keep and what to dispose of can be challenging. Some items may not be trash but have been labeled as "unfinished business" - items like clothes waiting to be sold, unpacked boxes from a move, toys to donate, or unused furniture.

While these items may not appear problematic on their own, their accumulation can create a crowded and cramped living space. (Image credit: Shutterstock) Storage expert Chris Hutton from Adams Selfstore highlights that decluttering becomes more difficult when each item comes with a specific task, such as selling, donating, or unpacking.

He explains, "Some people can live with the same pile of things for months without really seeing it as clutter. You know why it's there, so it doesn't feel like rubbish." This mentality of "I'll deal with it later" creates a long-term storage system, which Hutton prefers to call a storage problem. He advises asking oneself whether the task for each object will be completed soon.

The "unfinished business" test is a method proposed by Hutton to help declutter effectively. Instead of simply discarding items, this test encourages questioning why an item is still present in the home. The test consists of three methods: setting a deadline, reconsidering storage locations, and starting at clutter zones. By implementing these strategies, individuals can address their clutter issue and prevent it from becoming a permanent fixture in their living space.