Declutter now for your health
Decluttering is often a huge challenge because it is so emotionally challenging. Letting go is never easy. Declutter now to feel better. One can become so burdened by “stuff”.
Recently I had a call from a client who is an artist and lives in a 4,000 SF home. We have worked with her in the past on two art studio rooms. This call was different. She came to the epiphany that her stuff is really getting in the way and causing her stress. Instead of just organizing everything which was the goal in the past, she wants to let go and feel lighter. Downsizing or letting go, in this case, is liberating. Sometimes one needs to reach that tipping point which leads to being motivated.
In the short one-week timespan between her call and our work session, she accomplished a lot on her own. She had reviewed clothes in her closet and sent us a wonderful picture of a heap of them on the floor which she gave to some friends in need. She reviewed and tagged items in her attic that she no longer wanted so by the time we arrived much of the decision-making process had started.
Set a deadline
This is an advantage of having a deadline. By scheduling an organizer to come in, you will find that you are motivated before the session and even more motivated after the working session because you see the instant gratification and the reward. We tell all our clients to also schedule a donation pick-up so it gives you a timeframe and goal to work towards.
Here are 10 quotes from our clients after decluttering:
- I could never imagine living with less “stuff” but I actually love it now.
- I used to open a drawer and let out a sigh. Now I open a drawer and say ah….
- Not missing anything I donated.
- It was a gift to myself, which I knew, but realize now it is also a gift to my children so they aren’t left to do it later in life.
- The items I did keep bring me so much joy and I do love being surrounded by them now that all the other stuff is gone.
- Letting go was challenging because of guilt. It was not easy saying good by to some of the things I received after my mother passed, but I now realize I was holding on to them for the wrong reasons. They may have been possessions she loved, but I didn’t.
- I’m losing things less often because everything has a place now.
- Keep purging. I thought I had purged so much, but now that I have moved, I realize it wasn’t enough (from client who moved to a 2 bedroom apartment in a retirement community) and I am still feeling overwhelmed.
- I never thought I could do it and feel so proud of myself.
- Being bogged down by my things meant I wasn’t living my life. Now I truly feel less burdened, and less overwhelmed. The clutter was intruding on my home and work life.
We often say, “do you own your stuff or does your stuff own you”. Declutter for your health!