Many people cringe when organizing words are mentioned. There are many reasons for this mystery and fear of organizing.
It could be a lack of skill, fear of parting with their possessions or feeling overwhelmed.
It’s helpful to remember that organizing is a skill anybody can learn. It takes time and energy, but the rewards of living a productive life are astounding.
Below are some common excuses as to why people avoid organizing. It might help to recognize your excuses and commit to finding a solution.
The first excuse
Not knowing where to start. The good thing about organizing is that you can start anywhere. You can choose a small space to see the quick results. Like any other project, the organizing sessions have to be planned. Plan your success or predict your failure.
The second excuse
“I don't have the money.” Organizing requires no money to get started. However, it does require time and energy. You need to pick a space and start. Pretty boxes or containers are not helpful if you are not ready to part with items you don’t need.
The third excuse
It will take too long. If we don’t like the chore, many people will exaggerate the time it takes.
Start with five minutes and with something small. The kitchen cutlery drawer is the perfect one. Become firm in your mission and toss anything broken, rusty and old. If you have multiples of everything, sell or donate.
More space is a recipe for less stress and more joy.
The fourth excuse
It’s too overwhelming. You can break an organizing project into small, manageable pieces. Instead of cleaning out your whole closet at once, decide to just go through your purses or shoes. Then you can move on to another phase the following day. Make sure to schedule the time.
The fifth excuse
“I have trouble getting rid of anything.” We often become emotionally attached to our possessions, failing to recognize the cost of keeping them.
Also, by thinking you have trouble getting rid of things, you're going to continue having trouble getting rid of things.
Empower yourself by saying: "I have power over my stuff. I can part with things in my life that are no longer serving me."
The sixth excuse
“I'm afraid to fail.” The only way we fail is if we don’t start. As you work through your project you will discover some things may work better than others. There is very little about organizing that can't be changed if required.
If you decide to put certain items into a drawer, you can always change your mind and put something else in there. If you set up a filing system and it doesn't work for you, you can always change it to suit your needs. The secret to having an organized and functional home is one item in and one out.
Transformational life coach Ranka Burzan owns a professional organizing company in the qathet region and has written several books on reducing clutter. For more information, email [email protected] or call 604.578.8954.
