Bam, at the New Year you hit the ground running. You stuck to your resolution to get organized. You cleared some clutter, put things away and donated multiple boxes to a local charity. Your efforts showed and it felt good but now, only a short time has passed, and already you’re wondering what in the heck happened? Well, it’s one thing to get your home organized and yet another to keep it that way.
This is where the math comes in. If you keep bringing items into your home and don’t also take things away, it is all addition and no subtraction, which equals clutter. By bringing in just one item per day, 7 days a week, it’s going to add up fast. If you take a like-kind item away when you bring in a new one then the math is simple:
1 - 1 = 0 clutter
The challenge of controlling your clutter begins before you even go to the store, stop by a yard sale or go online to see what deals are out there. You need to start by asking yourself an honest question “Is this product something that I really need or really love?” If the answer is yes, then decide where it will go and what you are willing to let go of. Be honest and resist the temptation if you can’t answer this question honestly. There are many triggers out there to encourage us to buy things we don’t have room for. A few examples are:
- It is half price or free
- I collect them
- My life will be easier if I have one of these
- I deserve it
- My friends will think better of me
Learn to recognize these triggers, and challenge them. Buy what you really need and have room for. Create the habit of immediately donating or recycling what you are replacing. If you do this, you will keep your home clutter free. Remember, organization is not complicated; simple math creates a clutter-free lifestyle.
Practice this strategy and you will enjoy the many benefits of living in an organized environment.
If you are not good at math but crave a calmer, less stressed home, call an organizer in your area to get the help you need. You deserve to live your best life.
This post was created by the following NBOC member
Julie Browne of Real Life Organizing
Julie Browne of Real Life Organizing
