Limit the number of decisions you make each day and the options within each decision. For example, instead of choosing from five different cereals at breakfast, narrow it down to just two. Simplifying your choices saves time, reduces stress, and prevents clutter. Options are good, but too many is overwhelming.
Use what you have or let it go. Using things up leads to less clutter. Do you have a bottle of something that was half used and then forgotten? What about something you tried several times but didn’t like, but also didn’t get rid of? Are there items you had to buy in bulk, but only needed one? Let these things go and free up space in your cupboards, cabinets, and drawers.
Resources for getting rid of these things:
Removing the word ‘why’ lets us focus on the solution instead of the problem.
It’s good to acknowledge the problem, but the goal is to find a solution. By asking ‘why we have this problem’ we’re looking at the past and things that can’t be changed. By removing the word why, we’re looking to the future with new ideas and possibilities.
Example:
Why am I not good at organizing? vs. How can I develop my organizing skills?
Why did this room get filled up with clutter? vs. What can I do about this clutter?
Why does the clutter keep coming back? vs. How can I prevent this clutter from coming back?
In order to reduce clutter, we need to get rid of more than we bring in. Think like a mathematician, the rate at which we bring things in needs to be less than the rate at which we remove things.
Tips on how to bring in less:
Tips on how to remove things:
Do you hold onto things because you think you might need them someday? It’s tempting to believe in someday. However, I want you to reconsider and think about these possible scenarios.
Someday arrives and…
In my 14 years of helping people organize their homes, these scenarios happen all the time. People cling to items thinking they will be of value at some point in the future. They can’t pinpoint when that timeframe is, so they use the word someday. However a much more common occurrence is the someday they’ve been waiting, and waiting and waiting for, never arrives!
I do want to point out the difference between being prepared for possible emergencies and disasters verses holding onto items for a hypothetical someday. When you build an emergency kit you’re taking precautions to protect you and your family. When you cling to items that you MIGHT use SOMEDAY you’re avoiding making a decision on these items.
Therefore I urge you to let go of someday! Make room for today.
©October 2021 Janine Cavanaugh, Certified Professional Organizer All rights reserved
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