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Simplify, simplify, Thoreau said. Easy for him to say; he escaped from a much less complicated world than ours to the serenity and silence of Walden Pond. Few of us can drop everything and go live in a hut in the woods.
Life today is often complex and exhausting. Depressed and anxious, we find solace in shopping. Buying things gives us a feeling of control over the chaos in our lives. The result is too much stuff. We cram our closets, cabinets and garages full of things, yet happiness and contentment elude us.
Having too many things -- clothes, shoes, cosmetics, books, CDs, magazines, furniture, dishes and decorative items for the home can have a damaging effect on the human psyche. Inside every person who sheepishly declares “I’m just a packrat“ is a suffering soul that yearns for clarity and simplicity but doesn’t know where to start.
Merely hiding all this junk doesn’t help. Our stuff seems to have a life of its own. It exerts a downward pull on us and even though it’s out of sight; it’s seldom out of mind. Eventually, if you buy so much stuff that your storage areas will be bursting at the seams and you may begin to stack your things on the floor, pile the dining room table high with papers and unread magazines and cram still more boxes of goodness knows what under your bed. Every time you pass by a pile of clutter, your energy drops a little. Do this several times a day and by nightfall, you’re exhausted, irritable and wondering what it is that makes you feel so tired.
A host of health problems seems to go along with clutter: allergies, anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, insomnia, inability to concentrate and an overall feeling of disappointment that our material possessions have not given us a feeling of wholeness that we crave.
Clutter doesn’t stop at hurting our health; our spirits also suffer. “Things” can create more than physical barriers between us and our loved ones; they can literally rule our lives and damage relationships. Holding on to things often exists in tandem with holding on to old hurts, resentments and anger. Getting organized and removing clutter is good practice for letting go of toxic feelings and attitudes that ruin our relationships.
We spend an inordinate amount of time buying things, cleaning and storing things and worrying how we will pay for things. Without the help of a professional organizer, it’s often impossible to de-clutter and simplify one’s own life. Many people who feel overwhelmed with too much stuff say they don't know where to begin. They yearn for clarity, but are loath to let go of their things.
If you believe you are “organizationally challenged” and the profile above fits, you may be ready to face your clutter head on. Getting organized is a bit like eating a cookie; you take a bite at a time. Remember, there are only four places any item can go: 1. Keep it. 2. Sell it 3. Give it to someone 4. Throw it away.
Whether you work with a professional organizer or decide to go it alone, keep in mind that facing your possessions and making hundreds, even thousands of decisions takes courage and stamina. You may feel exhausted after a short session. That’s OK. Take a break. Remember, you’re nibbling a cookie, not wolfing down a seven course meal at one sitting.
Your number one obstacle is the mentality of “I might need it some day.” Chances are you won't need it. Let go of this thought, along with those too-tight black slacks hanging in the closet. You’re embarked on a search for simplicity and like a beautiful butterfly disguised as a lowly caterpillar, by letting go of things that drag you down, you’re going to take off and fly once you're organized.
Getting organized is not rocket science. But you must have an “attitude” of gritty determination at the outset and an unsentimental approach to your stuff. Think of all the clutter as the "enemy" of your peace of mind.
Get started with gusto. Buy a box of heavy gage contractor’s plastic bags available at large chain stores. Attach these labels on the bags: Trash, Give Away, Sell. Put a CD on the stereo and make yourself a tall, cool glass of iced tea or lemonade. Enlist a friend’s help. Say a prayer before you begin. Choose a small area that you feel you can get in great shape within a day. It may be your dresser, bedroom closet or a kitchen cabinet. It could be just one drawer, but make it shine and leave it clean, clear and organized.
1. Empty and clean the space thoroughly.
2. If it’s clothing that’s out of style, too large or too small, bag it up and let it go.
3. How many pairs of shoes can a person wear in a lifetime? Keep the ones you’ve worn in the past year or two; get rid of the rest.
4. Cosmetics can become contaminated and toxic if not used within six months.Throw all those old bottles of makeup and lipsticks in weird colors that you never wore.
5. In the kitchen, let go of those plastic cups from Burger King, the plastic ware you never use and those old dented pots and pans. If you haven’t used them in a year, you’re probably not going to. Give these items to charity.
6. Move 'em out. Once it's bagged, get the stuff out of your living areas.
Approach all your organizing from this viewpoint and you’ll soon be tearing through all those stacks and boxes like a pro. Just remember to only take on what is “do-able” in one day; an area you can finish. Enjoy the benefits of your organizing work. Save the rest for another day. Most important, resolve to change your shopping habits and stop thinking of yourself as a packrat. You are not a rodent!
Getting even a small area cleared and cleaned is good for the soul. You’ll breathe easier and you may be surprised at the burst of energy you have that will propel you into the next stage of your project. With your new lease on life, you may feel a need to contact an old friend you’ve lost touch with, give your significant other an unexpected, heartfelt hug or spend time contemplating the beauty of nature. Many people who get organized report feelings of greater mental clarity, improved memory, a return of their sense of humor and best of all, a reconnection with their own spirit and their Higher Power.
But don’t take my word for it. Consult the experts. Read the wonderful book, Simplicity: Finding Peace by Uncluttering Your Life by Kim Thomas. Clutter Control and Speed Cleaning by Jeff Campbell are fast, easy reads. Getting Organized by Stephanie Winston may help you put your life back in order.
The Web is awash in great sites that will help you get started with your organizing projects. Log onto some of the "simple living" sites. Type “get organized” in a search line and watch what happens. You’ll find lots of people that are eager to help and great articles to get your started on your journey to serenity. Contact the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) in Austin, Texas if you're looking for a professional organizer.
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