One of the most frequent questions I get these days is "why did you cut your hair?" Up until about a year ago, I had long curly hair; long curly, dyed brown hair. And then I let my hair go grey and cut it short, really really short. It was more freeing than I ever imagined. I couldn't stop smiling. I felt more myself than ever. So my answer was and continues to be "I wanted my outside to fit my inside". I wanted my authentic self to be reflected in my outward appearance.
When I work with clients I encourage them to begin their process of organizing by creating a vision of their authentic space so that every step of the way is in service of that vision. I retell the story of David by Michelangelo, where the artist removed layer by layer of stone to finally reveal the beauty of David. We often hold on to so much stuff it's nearly impossible to see past it all to the beauty of our home. How often have I heard clients frustrated by not being able to stick to a system, having systems that don't work, putting themselves down for their chaotic habits and behaviors, and hoping that maybe by buying more organizing stuff, they'll finally figure it out.
Too often the reason we struggle with disorganization is because we are doomed to failure from the get go. We have TOO MUCH STUFF. And no matter how much STUFF you think you already let go of, I guarantee there is so much more. So instead of struggling to create more space, buy more and larger containers, do yourself a favor and let go.
In my 8 years in the business I've discovered 5 things that clients, most often, have difficulty letting go of which eventually procreate uncontrollably. So here is my list of 5 things that I give you permission to either let go or at least minimize in quantity.
1. Kids art work - Kids art work is mostly about our attachments not our kids. Don't gift them with years of doodles and sketches to sort through later in life. Sort and keep only a few per year that represent their artistic development that year and those that are most meaningful. Let the rest go.
2. Greeting Cards - Yes they may be beautiful or funny but how many do you or your family members get a year? Keep only the cards that have personal and meaningful notes written inside. Keep those that stand out. Remember, for every one you keep you need to spend time and possibly money to store.
3. Electronics - In this case I mean miscellaneous cords that don't necessarily belong to anything. We keep cords because we're afraid they'll be needed one day and so we keep them; no matter what. Instead, review which electronics you do own, check to see if they have their chords and recycle the rest. The worst case scenario is you call the company and order a new chord. I've never seen a client have to do that.
4. Packaging - Come on people! You buy a new camera or food processor, you send in the warranty or registration, you begin using them, you LOVE them. You keep the packaging; JUST IN CASE. It's okay. I give you permission to let them go. They take up valuable real-estate.
5. Magazines - How many do you subscribe to? How many do you have time to read or actually enjoy? How many months of each do you have? The most common explanations I get is, " I may need that article one day", "but I might miss something important". Most magazines are available online. Most magazines don't have articles that are life or death must-reads. Most magazines are meant to create calm, peace, joy and fun....not anxiety or pressure or clutter. Keep up to 3 months of a magazine and either recycle the rest or sell them back to a book store like Half Price. Again, prime real-estate is what's at stake.
I'm sure there are a lot more items in your home or office that are kept just in case, or more commonly because you're just not sure what to do with them, if they're even necessary to keep anymore. Give yourself a break. Give yourself permission. As a matter of fact, I give you permission to let go. You ARE okay. You are not bad or stupid or crazy. You are simply chipping away toward your own David.
