Tag Archive for: clutter

Removing the word ‘why’

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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 do you think you’re not good at organizing?   vs.  How can you develop your organizing skills?

Why did this room get filled up with clutter?  vs.  What can you do about this clutter?

Why does the clutter keep coming back?  vs.  How can you prevent this clutter from coming back?

Bring in Less

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Organizing tipIn 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:

 

Let go of Someday

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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…

  • You can’t find that specific item you’ve been holding onto for all these years. It’s not where you thought it was.
  • The thing you saved is no longer in working condition and you have to purchase a new one.
  • You can’t get at it because it’s buried under a pile of stuff.
  • You’ve wasted so much time looking for it, you’ve decided it’s easier to make do without or to find an alternative solution.
  • You’ve decided to let it go, but it no longer has any value. No one wants it, and you have to pay to get it out of your house.

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

organized utensils

Empty space

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Organizing tipEmpty space does not equal available space. Allow yourself some breathing room and wiggle room. Spaces will function more efficiently if they are not over stuffed. Allow yourself empty space in closets, file cabinets, kitchen cupboards, dresser drawers, and book shelves. This will make organizing and maintaining those spaces much easier.

Someday

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Organizing tipSomeday is not a day of the week! When you find yourself using that word, stop and replace it with a definite date or time. If you can’t pinpoint a definite date or time, let it go. I use an exit strategy to help me get rid of things.