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Do you find organizing difficult because you hate to let things go? If so, you are not alone! The task of parting with your stuff can easily become overwhelming. Some people even stretch the rules to avoid making the big decisions. Consider the woman who, when faced with whether to part with a teal flapper-style dress, remembers the rule, "If you haven't worn the article of clothing in a year, just throw it out." So she wears the dress to do housework and reasons, "I've just worn it. I must keep it."
For her, like for many of us, clutter isn't the real issue; fear is. Below, I share some of the most popular organizing excuses, fears that prevent many from clearing clutter. Do any sound familiar to you or to someone you share your home with? Read on to get practical solutions to these common problems.
1. When you think, "But it's still good," you really fear being wasteful.
So don't waste it — donate it. Find a local charity where your "still good" items can be used by someone else instead of being shoved in a waste bin or piled on the closet floor.
2. When you think, "I might need it one day," you really fear the future and possible regret.
It's understandable to want to save important items so that you'll be prepared for an emergency. But do we really need all those plastic and paper shopping bags that clutter our drawers and cabinets? Paring down is easy when you determine your priorities. Once you know who you are and what you enjoy doing, it's much easier to decide what to keep and what to toss.
3. When you think, "It's not really worth the time and energy to get organized," you really fear that your efforts won't last.
Being organized is not a destination but a habit—one that will give you more time to enjoy your life. One of the easiest ways to develop the habit quickly is to use the two-minute rule. If you can put it away in two minutes or less, put it away right then. Don't leave it where it doesn't belong only to waste time later putting it away.
4. When you think, "I don't want to know what's under all this stuff," you really fear that, due to time and neglect, there is no way out.
Set a timer for 18 minutes and dig in. When the timer goes off, stop what you're doing. Look at all you accomplished. It will motivate you to keep going, 18 minutes at a time. It might take 18 minutes a day for two weeks, but you will eventually conquer the clutter. Keep a pen and paper handy to make notes about things you need to deal with.
5. When you think, "This is too special to let go," you really fear letting go of an emotional attachment and separating from dear memories.
The memories, however, are in your mind, not in the inanimate object. Sometimes it helps to take a photo of the item before letting it go. It also helps to start with something that holds the least amount of emotion, such as expired medication. Remember, when you save everything, the great stuff gets lost in the mess. So keep only the best; toss the rest.
6. When you think, "I doubt it will look right when I'm finished," you really fear imperfection.
Face it, you can't live up to your own impossible standards. Instead, go for good, then go back in your spare time to perfect it. You might find you no longer need perfection once you experience the extra time that being organized gives you.
7. When you think, "But I need them all," you really fear not having enough.
More doesn't mean better. Decide on the minimum number you feel comfortable keeping, and stick to it. Less is more.
8. When you think, "I'll just put it here for now," you really fear making a decision.
Understand that these are not life-or-death choices. You always have the option to change your mind. Getting started is the hardest part. So make one choice — to start — and the rest will follow naturally.
Conquering clutter, like conquering fear, can seem overwhelming at times. But understanding why you struggle with organization will help you meet the challenge head-on. Success breeds more success. So get started. It's your year to get clutter-free. Face your fears and clear the clutter away!
