10 Myths of Clutter
Clearing
By Jo Kefford
1) It's easy to have a good clear-out. Not
always. For many people, breaking a life-time
habit is really hard - everyone has a choice
whether they want to make that break or not.
The only way you will succeed is when the pain
and frustration is so intense that you convert
it into the positive energy you need to take
ACTION. We have to face those emotions in order
to process them - that's when we learn to let
go.
2) I know I should, but… There's
no should about clutter clearing - again, we
all have a choice. You do it because you want
to. If you aren't ready to let go of the clutter,
you create further inner conflict and deplete
your emotional energy.
3) I need to clean out the whole house now!
This is not the approach to take unless
you want to completely exhaust yourself physically
and emotionally. The best approach is to do
one room, or even a corner or a closet, at a
time. A little each day is much less overwhelming
and manageable.
4) I'll give myself x amount of time before
deciding to keep or throw it out. This is
the band-aid approach. Think of the cost of
storage, or the space these items are continuing
to take. All you are doing is delaying facing
the reasons for getting rid of the junk.
5) I'll make money by selling at a garage
sale. Can you really bear for people to
haggle with you over your once-prized possessions?
I've seen people buying their things back because
they can't stand to see someone else have them.
If the money really will come in handy, get
a friend or family member to hold the sale for
you.
Ideally, use E-bay online for items over $50,
or do your bit for charity. Generosity is gratitude
in action, and makes room for bigger and better
things to come into your life.
6) It will come in useful one day. The
day you need it, you won't be able to find it.
When you do eventually come across it, having
emptied cupboards, boxes & bags to find
it, chances are, it won't be 100% perfect for
your requirements anyway. You'll spend more
time adjusting it, so you may as well have gone
and bought a new "whatever" to serve
the purpose. Give yourself the benefit of the
doubt that you will find a way to survive without
it.
7) I don't have time to tidy up. 10
minutes a day putting things away will save
20 minutes of trying to find something when
you need it - I promise you. As long as everything
has a home, this tried & tested system works.
8) I'll just start tidying up any old place.
Sometimes a spontaneous moment of organizing
does work - as long as you aren't scrounging
around for an item at 3 am when no one's looking.
Visualize how you'd like your space to be, and
make a plan of attack - create a trash pile,
a charity pile, and a keep pile. Revisit that
keep pile and double check whether you really
do want to hold onto that item - ask yourself
why? If you don't love it, use it or need it,
out it goes.
Desire and motivation will win the day when
we can picture our end result - that applies
to anything we do in life. Imagine what it would
be like to be clutter-free?
9) I have to throw it all out. No, you
don't. Much of your clutter is created simply
because you haven't created a home for it. Why
is that? Probably because subconsciously it
is not worth the effort of finding somewhere.
If the item is that important to you, find a
home for it. Or for display items, ensure your
treasure remains visible, and not hidden behind
more clutter.
Basic rule: If you have stuff you don't know
where to put, it is probably clutter.
10) I'm responsible for everyone else's clutter.
No you're not; make others responsible for
their own. Believe me, if you pack all your
kids toys away, saving them for your grandchildren
and thinking your doing them a favor - forget
it. They will either feel too guilty to dispose
of the stuff when hand-me-down time comes (second
generation clutterbugs), or if they choose to
get rid of it, you'll be offended.
Save the drama & space and donate the toys,
clothes etc to your local playgroup or charity.
Use artwork as wrapping paper for special gifts
- recycling is a great way to allow others to
enjoy what you already have treasured.
Jo's passion for helping others
has extended to getting organized and clearing
clutter. At http://www.organize-ya.com,
Jo reviews the best books available to help
you get organized. This means you know exactly
what you are getting, and ensuring you obtain
the help you need - taking the dilemma out of
the decision. You can contact Jo at info@organize-ya.com
