I believe there are four things that deter us from taking that first step to living organized. And, these four things are the reasons the overwhelming condition thrives. They are decision making, motivation, time and space. So, we need to put them in perspective if we want to experience a beneficial result.
When I speak to people about organizing their homes or offices, most respond with “Wow, I really need someone like you to help me.” or "I didn't know that there were people like you out there."
When we become aware, we ponder the possibility of what organizing our environment actually involves and even though we may recognize the benefits of change, deciding to address the need can deter us from moving forward.
There is the initial decision to start a project, then comes the decision of what to do to improve our condition which could mean deciding to allocate time, gather materials, making the decision to let go and whatever comes next. Anticipating these decisions can be frustrating. But, if we isolate what we would like to accomplish we take the first step toward reducing this frustration. Ask yourself what area requires change. Do you want to better identify what you have? Is there a need to reduce clutter? Do you want to downsize your space? Once you have determined your goals then you can more easily make other decisions to accomplish those goals.
One such decision that causes us to pause is the fact that we might have to let something go. First recognize that there is scientific proof that once we touch an item we become emotionally attached to it and the longer there is contact, the greater the value we assign to it. And, not only is there emotional attachment to the things we own but we are also monetarily invested. Our possessions didn’t just appear out of nowhere. We actually spent dollars to purchase our things.
So, how do we decide to let go of the things we own? First of all it is necessary to evaluate their use. Do they still provide solutions for what they were originally intended to provide? Are they broken or torn and no longer usable? Is it safe to continue to use them? Do they represent a memorable time in our lives? Do we have more than one? Do they have monetary value? Evaluating the condition or use of your things will make it easier for you to make the decision to keep it or not.
There is no right or wrong time to release your hold on something you have purchased or have been given. It doesn’t matter if you have kept it six months or a year. And there is no reason to experience the loss if it isn’t necessary. If it is too difficult to release now, then hold on to it until you have the time to re-evaluate and don't let anyone tell you what or when to let go. These are your things and the decision is yours, as well.
Once you have decided to eliminate your unused or broken items, there are many options for placing your things in the hands of people who can make sure their use continues to serve. Donating to charities is a wonderful way to add value back into your unwanted things. By donating, you are allowing others to extend their use; people who are unable to buy new, or those who love repairing used items or those who are craft oriented and can see your things through fresh creative eyes. Whatever the case, this is an extremely rewarding method for letting go.
If you decide you want to try and recoup some of your financial investment, consider the time you will need to invest before undertaking this type of project. You need to do a little research to find out the true value of what you want to sell. Often, the price you place on an item will vary depending on where and how you want to sell it. Ultimately, your research will result in discovering whether it is even worth your time to sell an item at all. Also, be sure you consider that the decision to sell may cause you to continue to keep something longer whether you need it or not?
Don't let the decision making process deter you from putting your home or office in order. Take your time making decisions to avoid regret or wasted energy and know that making the decisions will lead to a long lasting and rewarding experience.
It's as simple as that!