The Myth of Being Well Organized

     When I tell people that I am a professional organizer, the universal reaction is, "Oh boy, I could really use some help with that!"

      Almost all of us believe we need to be more organized--except for exactly ONE of my friends who thinks she's OK in that department (she is right).  The rest of us walk around with this vague sense that we're kind of inadequate in some way because if a magazine photographer were to pop into our home unannounced, we might resort to physical force rather than let him take a photo. 

     Where did we get the idea that  if our homes aren't perfect, we can't think of ourselves as capable and competent people?  It's not hard to figure out--we got that idea from the same place we got the idea that we're not OK unless we are a size two (women) or have muscles popping out everywhere (men and women)  Those darn magazines!  And the movies!  And--well, just about every place we look. 

     Go to the grocery store and check out the magazines.  Aside from all the celebrity cheating and cellulite, you can see three or four banners that order you to "GET ORGANIZED NOW!"  (the rest tell you to "LOSE WEIGHT NOW!")   Google "organizational tips" -- go ahead, I dare you!  Last time I looked there were over 12 million and I'm sure that number is growing.

     The truth is, most people have some extra "stuff" and most of us have places that are kind of messy.  If you have kids, or a job, or anything else at all going on in your life, you probably have better things to do than sort through your sock drawer or build a coffee table from reclaimed wood to display your collection of birds' nests (a real article!) 

      There's no gold standard of organization.  Some of the most creative and interesting people I know--think: writers, artists, musicians--seem to need a certain amount of visual stimulation  around them as they work.   My friend's home is packed full of beautiful mementos and souvenirs of her many travels, and the effect is that of being embraced and comforted by these beloved treasures.  On the other hand, there are those of us who truly love to sort out the sock drawer! 

     It's about what works best for you.  The people with the neatest sock drawer get no extra points.  Having everything in orderly little rows doesn't make you a better or happier person, (although it can give you a nice feeling of accomplishment).  There should be no guilt or shame involved.   If you can find things you need most of the time, and are OK with the way things look in general, you're doing great -- Martha Stewart and all the glossy mags notwithstanding.

      When your stuff is driving you nuts and seriously interfering with your life, that's the time to take action.  If  just the thought of getting started makes you want to crawl in bed and pull the covers over your head, you can call in reinforcements in the form of friends, family, or your friendly home organizer.

      Now, untie that photographer and let him go back to his magazine!

Call or email to schedule a FREE consultation

or to have a conversation about your organizing needs

262-784-3957

createorder1@gmail.com

Linda Palmer

Create Order

Home organizing and de-materializing service.

Serving the Milwaukee, Wisconsin greater metro and surrounding area

Top 10 Excuses to Keep "Stuff" ( that is getting in your way)

Reasons why we hang on to things we don't need--and reasons to reconsider:

1.  I might need it some day.  Know and trust in your--or God's--or the Universe's --ability to meet your needs.  Be reminded that most of us use only 20% of our things 80% of the time.

2.  I'm going to fit into it again after I lose some weight.  When you get back into that size, you will deserve cool new clothes, not that old thing!

3.  It might be worth a lot of money or I paid a lot of money for it.  Consider that you paid for the use of the object.  If you are no longer using it, you can let it go.  It is not worth anything in a box in the basement.

4.  Someone gave it to me, and I don't want to offend them.  That person probably wants you to be happy, and would not want you to keep the gift if you're not using or loving it.

5.  My kids might want it when they grow up.  The memories your kids will have are firmly rooted in their hearts, and almost always involve time spent together rather than objects.  Letting go of extra "stuff" may give you more time to create new memories.

6.  There are meaningful memories attached to the object.  Keep a few important things that remind you of a person or place you have loved.  As for the rest, keep the memories in your heart so you can keep order in your space!

7.  I used to love it.  Trust that many more things you love will come into your life.  Let the old go to make room for the new.

8.  I don't have very much money, so I need to keep everything I have.  Prosperity "experts" say:  Clutter repels prosperity.  Clear the way for things of real value to come into your space and into your life.

9.  It can be fixed.  Consider the reasons you haven't had it fixed by now.  Have any of those circumstances changed?  If not, give yourself permission to let it go.

10.  I don't want to fill up the landfills with my junk.   Donate and recycle everything you possibly can.  Resolve not to buy things you don't need in the future.  Waste companies can recycle or repurpose much of your trash.  But the rest of it takes no more space on the planet whether it is in your basement or in the dump.  

11.  I might need it for a costume party.  In this case, you should DEFINITELY KEEP the item!

To Schedule a FREE consultation,

or have a conversation about your organizing needs,
 call or email:

262-784-3957

createorder1@gmail.com
on the web:  createorder.org
Linda Palmer

Create Order
Home organizing and de-materializing service

Serving the Milwaukee, Wisconsin greater metro
and surrounding areas.