Clutter has a way of taking over our lives. Clutter becomes that unwanted house guest that you can't get rid of. It robs us of peace while we are home, and it also steals any bit of joy when we leave home; the dread of returning to that mess.

When a home is filled with clutter, it takes on a life of its own. Your whole day is spent giving it attention, instead of your family and yourself.

Let's look at some of the things we give up, so we can devote our lives to this inconsiderate house guest.

1. Clutter-filled homes are not welcoming to friends or family. We do not invite them over often. When we do, we almost kill ourselves trying to crisis clean. Clutter is a very selfish house mate and wants you all to himself.

2. Clutter in your home does not allow your mind and body to rest. The guilt of all the clutter keeps you working non-stop. You can't organize clutter; you can only get rid of it, like a cancerous tumor. Clutter causes you to turn down invitations. It yells at you: You don't deserve to have any fun; you have not taken care of it yet. Oh, selfish clutter, like a spoiled child, requires all your attention.

3. Clutter tells the world that you are not worthy. We have been brainwashed by this clutter to believe that we do not deserve to have nice things, since we can't keep our home looking presentable.

4. Clutter never wants you to leave home. This is why he makes is so difficult for you to pack for vacation. He throws every obstacle in your path; laundry needs doing, bills need paying and animals need to be fed. Clutter will never allow strangers in his domain.

5. Clutter robs you of your health. It drains you of all your energy. Sometimes you will not allow people to come into your home to help because clutter has quarantined you, or shall we say imprisoned you in your dungeon.

6. Clutter's main sustenance is chaos. So when you are running around your home searching for a document; you end up making a bigger mess during the search. Clutter is celebrating with a feast of chaos.

7. Clutter loves ignorance because you know no other way to live. If you did, he would not have a home that provides him of all the undivided attention. You have never enjoyed a peaceful afternoon, without clutter vying for your every thought and deed. He knows that if you ever feel one ounce of peace, you will tell him to hit the road, because that peace is so contagious.

It is time to put clutter in his place and send him packing. So where does clutter belong and how do you get rid of this unwanted house guest? It is not easy. He keeps pleading with you that, "you need me," and laying guilt trips on you for what relatives will think if you put him and his unwanted gifts and inherited clutter out.