Can’t get organized? Can’t get rid of clutter? Is it because you’ve got an excuse you can’t argue yourself out of?
Maybe I can help. Post your excuse as a comment and I’ll address it in a later post in this series.
Excuse #1:
I can’t get rid of my stuff – I might need it one day!
You know what? Yes, you might. And in that case, one of two things will happen.
1. You’ll have to go out and buy it again.
And this will cost you money and time.
But here’s the thing. Keeping all that stuff is costing you way more, every single day.
It’s costing you time looking for things. It’s costing you stress and distraction and lack of clarity. It’s costing you peace of mind, and maybe a little of your spark.
It’s true, isn’t it?
Now weigh the certain, daily, cumulative cost of keeping your stuff against the the possible, one-off, minor cost of replacing it if you have to.
2. You’ll need it suddenly, without time to replace it.
If this happens, you’ll have to cope without it. Depending on the item, you’ll suffer mild to major inconvenience.
That’s a shame. But is it that big a deal?
Especially when you compare it with the inconvenience you suffer every day because of having too much stuff. The inability to find things, the frustration of family members, the embarrassment when guests come over.
If you think about the daily, soul-destroying frustration of having too much stuff, the potential inconvenience of doing without something you might one day want, seems small in comparison.
Stop Making Excuses – Get Organized, Declutter, Simplify
The truth is that you may later want things that you don’t really need now.
‘Might I possibly need this one day?’ is not the question to ask. The question to ask is: Is all this stuff costing me the simple, organized life I want?
And if the answer is yes, then let stuff go.
There may be a cost: you may occasionally have to replace something, or do without it.
There will certainly be a gain: a simpler, more organized, happier life.
Shall I pass you a trash bag?
[Image: by dreamsjung]
I’m a little ADD but haven’t officially got diagnosed. I always procrastinate on everything & then get nothing done. I have 4 horses, 4 dogs, 2 cats, 2 kids 12 & 9 & a husband, well husband is OCD which makes it very hard on me. I have just started couponing to save $$$ & on pc alot, so this just make its more overwhelming to me. I also do yard work, bush hogging, mowing, mucking stalls, & trying to keep up with house too. He’s always throwing away & trying to get me to throw away. Just can’t seen to keep the Kitchen table cleared off, its a catch all from when we come in. Thanks for any of you help in this matter.
Pingback: I Love Organizing….once I am done.
@Trish: Ooh thanks for that. And D’oh! 🙂
Michelle,
This is awesome stuff, I need to read it everyday like a prayer, especially during the Organizathon. It continues to settle in. One thing, if I may give you a “piece of my mind”: the objective is “peace of mind”. …
But I have all this emotional attachment! Most of my clutter is stuff from my parents’ (both deceased) home, and has strong memories for me.
@Laurie: Sounds like you’ve had a lot to deal with! I think you’re wise to let things settle down as a priority.
You might also find helpful stuff here:
How To Get Your Groove Back (THEN You Can Get Organized)
http://www.getorganizedwizard.com/blog/2010/08/how-to-get-your-groove-back-then-you-can-get-organized/
and here:
10 Things To Do Every Day: A Prescription for Happiness & Personal Organization
http://www.getorganizedwizard.com/articles/10-things-to-do-every-day-a-prescription-for-happiness-personal-organization/
M 🙂
My excuse that I don’t have all the “stuff” to get organized ‘cuz it cost too much money! I’d love to redo all our closets, buy new shelving from Ikea, baskets and other organizer bins and supplies. I want everything to have a place so my family knows exactly where to find an item and put it back. Since I can’t have the perfect system, I don’t do it at all.
@Nora: I’m sure you can! I only do what I have to in order to feel a sense of order and clarity.
When things settle down, I will actually start using this stuff again.
(4 family deaths – overdose, cancer, suicide by gunshot, allergic reaction – , 4 deployments, 2 kids, one traumatic birth with special needs child surprise, dismemberment/bodily injury of several of husband’s past coworkers, moved twice, lost 4 units blood and nearly died from heterotopic pregnancy, plus more in the past 4 years alone)
Can you ever be too organized?
But I might use it later for a creative idea (for crafts, projects, etc).
my excuse is always: I have young kids that go behind me and pull things out and by the end of the day I’m just too tired.
@Emrick: Um, which free report are you referring to? If you’re having trouble downloading the free diary, please contact support.
http://www.getorganizedwizard.com/support/
I’m sure they can help you! 🙂
@Beverly You’re so right – getting past magical thinking is the only way to get rid of the clutter. M 🙂
@Jaylyn Good luck with your partner! This might also help:
My Partner is a Hoarder. Help!
http://www.getorganizedwizard.com/blog/2009/10/my-partner-is-a-hoarder-help/
M 🙂
@Carole: Thanks for your excuse – I’ll tackle it in a future post. M 🙂
I am still waiting for your free report… It never arrived…that was about 5 to 6 days ago. thanks for answering this message.
Great list of excuses – probably the top three!
Keeping clutter around is so much more costly than anything that can happen by getting rid of clutter.
There is another reason why clutter accumulates and that is magical thinking.
Magical thinking refers to the idea that you are mystified as to how clutter got there and you think that somehow over time it will magically disappear.
NOT
You put it there and only you can get rid of clutter!
This post (rebuttal list) is AWESOME. My guy has our house busting at the seams with his pack-rat style. I’m forwarding this along…perhaps it’ll help him let go of those rocks he collected when he was 5. 🙂
but I am tired and don’t want to mess with it I will put it aside and deal with it later, and I don’t know what to do with this so I won’t do anything with it, and yet another one I wanted to do_____ with this I still do. I need to return this sometime but when.