Having less: A personal project taxonomy of consumers' decluttering orientations, motives and emotions

Abstract

This study examines consumers' orientations toward decluttering and what differentiates consumers' engagement with decluttering as a routine social practice. An internet survey was conducted with a convenience sample of 172 adult consumers who recently engaged in home decluttering projects. Cluster analysis used appraisals of personal project dimensions to create a taxonomy in which we identified three orientations toward decluttering: disengaged, enthusiastic, and challenged. Subsequent analyses compared appraisals of success and affective and motivational differences across the three orientations. Findings reveal that decluttering is enjoyable, easy, and most successful for consumers with an enthusiastic orientation who intrinsically value decluttering and link it to self‐identify. Those who lack time or adequate control experience more stress and less success. Circumstances, and especially normative pressures, seemed to drive these orientations. All orientations experienced relatively high positive emotions after decluttering, which substantiates the positive influence of decluttering on emotional well‐being.

How social media usage and the fear of missing out impact minimalistic consumption

“…, 2007; Muster et al. , 2022; Roster and Ferrari, 2023). Second, popular media and industry reports also suggest that on average, female consumers have higher purchase rates for apparel categories and are more engaged in purchasing apparel than male consumers (Stuart, 2019).…”

“…First, the academic research suggests that on average, women consumers have a more positive attitude toward shopping than men (Campbell, 1997), women shop more frequently than men (Roy Dholakia, 1999) and women are more interested in fashion than men (O'cass, 2004). In addition, women tend to be more involved in decluttering than men because of traditional gender roles associated with household chores (Belk et al, 2007;Muster et al, 2022;Roster and Ferrari, 2023). Second, popular media and industry reports also suggest that on average, female consumers have higher purchase rates for apparel categories and are more engaged in purchasing apparel than male consumers (Stuart, 2019).…”

Reactance, Decisional Procrastination, and Hesitation: A Latent Class Analysis of Clutter Behavior

“…The overaccumulation of physical, personal possessions, usually termed clutter, often becomes disorganized [1]. Clutter impacts the utility and livability of one's home, and one's psychological well-being [2]). Past research examined clutter's effects on decision-making, life satisfaction, and well-being, uncovering more indecision, reduced life satisfaction, and worse overall well-being because of clutter [2][3][4][5].…”

“…Clutter impacts the utility and livability of one's home, and one's psychological well-being [2]). Past research examined clutter's effects on decision-making, life satisfaction, and well-being, uncovering more indecision, reduced life satisfaction, and worse overall well-being because of clutter [2][3][4][5]. Several studies discussed the impacts of clutter on specific measurements of well-being, showing positive relationships between clutter and lower quality of life, stress, binge eating, and increased work-related tension [6][7][8][9]).…”

“…When expectations for behavior are not internalized and transformed into intrinsic motivation, they are dependent on external contingencies (i.e., reactions from family members) [58]. Clutter experts suggest that when motives for behavior are not self-determined, decluttering tasks are more difficult to accomplish [2]. Thus, it is hypothesized that differences in reactance, indecision, and hesitation will partially explain decluttering outcomes.…”