How long is the list? Time, money, motivation, cooperation from others in your household, lack of space, storage or organisational tools?
Time – this is a relatively easy fix. It depends more on your staying power than actual time. For example, you may not feel you can dedicate a complete day or 4 hour session of decluttering and organising. That is true for many. So let’s break it down.
(How do you eat an elephant? – bite by bite)
You may better be able to work in 15 minute increments. Set your timer for 15 minutes each day. Stop and start according to the timer and celebrate that. No need to do a marathon of decluttering, you are doing this for you not to prove anything to anyone else.
Perhaps an empty box or bag in your closet may be the ticket – as you go through your day and you find something that can better serve someone else you just drop it in the box. Over time you will have a full box to donate.
Each time you receive a phone call from a charity that is willing to pick up just say yes. Even if nothing is ready to donate you have a definite date to work towards. Start a box and put 3 items
(for example, this number is flexible) in it each day until pick up day.
Whatever reason has been your excuse to date let’s just be kind to our future selves and dive in.
Money – this excuse is just that, an excuse. Money is not a success factor in this exercise. You may be thinking you don’t have the funds to buy the funky containers or other organising tools you see in magazines or on TV. Guess what? – those photos and shots are staged by a team of professionals! Let’s embrace real life and make it work for us. Before you buy anything it is imperative to declutter and sort. That is the only way to have a clear picture of what you need, want or want to save for. One step at a time please.
Motivation – ah, the devil we know! Here is where an accountability buddy is invaluable. Choose wisely, a trusted person who will support not judge. Being able to share your small steps of achievement is a major contributor to your success. If you find your chosen one becomes more of a hindrance than a help then it’s time to swap them for another cheerleader. I’m not saying dump them from your life but to adjust the role.
Take photos of your start, process and finish. These are very good at reminding of us that we are making strides.
Cooperation from others – start with you. Sound simple but it’s actually a hard one. Focus on what you are doing and let the others be. They more than likely will be positively touched by your example but if not, remember that you are doing yourself a kindness. They will choose their own path. Letting that burden go is very refreshing to the soul. It may be an ongoing mindset you need to work on but that’s the way we cultivate staying power.
Enjoy the ride!
Time – this is a relatively easy fix. It depends more on your staying power than actual time. For example, you may not feel you can dedicate a complete day or 4 hour session of decluttering and organising. That is true for many. So let’s break it down.
(How do you eat an elephant? – bite by bite)
You may better be able to work in 15 minute increments. Set your timer for 15 minutes each day. Stop and start according to the timer and celebrate that. No need to do a marathon of decluttering, you are doing this for you not to prove anything to anyone else.
Perhaps an empty box or bag in your closet may be the ticket – as you go through your day and you find something that can better serve someone else you just drop it in the box. Over time you will have a full box to donate.
Each time you receive a phone call from a charity that is willing to pick up just say yes. Even if nothing is ready to donate you have a definite date to work towards. Start a box and put 3 items
(for example, this number is flexible) in it each day until pick up day.
Whatever reason has been your excuse to date let’s just be kind to our future selves and dive in.
Money – this excuse is just that, an excuse. Money is not a success factor in this exercise. You may be thinking you don’t have the funds to buy the funky containers or other organising tools you see in magazines or on TV. Guess what? – those photos and shots are staged by a team of professionals! Let’s embrace real life and make it work for us. Before you buy anything it is imperative to declutter and sort. That is the only way to have a clear picture of what you need, want or want to save for. One step at a time please.
Motivation – ah, the devil we know! Here is where an accountability buddy is invaluable. Choose wisely, a trusted person who will support not judge. Being able to share your small steps of achievement is a major contributor to your success. If you find your chosen one becomes more of a hindrance than a help then it’s time to swap them for another cheerleader. I’m not saying dump them from your life but to adjust the role.
Take photos of your start, process and finish. These are very good at reminding of us that we are making strides.
Cooperation from others – start with you. Sound simple but it’s actually a hard one. Focus on what you are doing and let the others be. They more than likely will be positively touched by your example but if not, remember that you are doing yourself a kindness. They will choose their own path. Letting that burden go is very refreshing to the soul. It may be an ongoing mindset you need to work on but that’s the way we cultivate staying power.
Enjoy the ride!
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