September 20, 2007
Letting Go of Clutter
The trick to letting go of clutter is finding a way to
start. Clutter can seem overwhelming...especially if it's
everywhere! My advice is to THINK less and
DO more.
Thinking too much about the clutter in your life can create so much regret, despair and
self-recrimination (How could I let this happen?) that you give in to feeling
overwhelmed and become paralyzed by it.
Stress, embarrassment, depression, arguments, chaos in your space, lost time and lost productivity can all be avoided if you have a FOCUSED APPROACH to the problem and TAKE ACTION. Taking just a single step towards dealing with your clutter can give you the momentum you need to keep going and make significant progress. Cliched though it may sound, today really is the first day of the rest of your life. Why spend even one more minute of it living with clutter and chaos? If you avoid inviting people into your home or office; spend too much time looking for the things you need; are tired of not being able to find what you're looking for; find yourself purchasing items you know you already have but can't locate when you need them; forget appointments, wallets, keys, etc. all because of your clutter, you're paying a very high price by not doing anything about it.
If you want clutter gone and you want it gone NOW, start by making a list of your specific problem areas. Don't just say, "Everything is cluttered and disorganized!" because that's too big a problem to handle. Nobody can tackle everything all at the same time - not even a Professional Organizer! If you're not going to or can't start immediately, set a specific date and time to begin decluttering and write it down in your planner. If you're like most people, you'll never get to it if you don't specifically put some time aside to do it.
After you've made your list of problem areas, determine the area that is bothering you the most and attack that first. Before you begin to declutter, put on some music you love; eliminate distractions (ask someone to watch the kids; let your answering machine take all your phone calls); get a trash bag and a donation bag/box; set a timer for 30 minutes (or however long you think you can comfortably work) and jump in.
Pick a specific, manageable starting point in your focus area like a single drawer in a bureau or kitchen cabinet, the two piles on the left-hand side of the living room table, the medicine cabinet in the bathroom or one shelf in a closet. First, get rid of the things you know you can easily let go of like that sweater you haven't worn in five years (and never really liked to begin with!), that collection of People magazines from the 1990s you've been meaning to recycle, expired medicines, etc. Start small and you'll win big with immediate, visible results. Completely finish decluttering one area before you move on to the next. If necessary, bribe yourself to get the job done. Promise to take yourself to lunch at that new restaurant you've been curious about or go see that new movie all the critics are applauding.
Realizing how much you can achieve in a relatively short period of time if you honestly put your mind to it is truly inspirational. It makes you want to do even more. Consistently spending just a short, focused, productive period of time decluttering every day or every couple of days will move you forward towards your goal. It will energize you and create a real difference in your head, your heart and your environment. Remember to maintain whatever decluttering/organization you've put in place. Don't become complacent. The potential for clutter is always there, even for the most organized among us.
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MILLER ORGANIZING. All rights reserved.
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MILLER ORGANIZING. All rights reserved.
14 Stuyvesant Oval
NYC, NY 10009