At this point, you have probably run across some belongings that don't exactly serve a practical purpose in your life. Some items simply cannot be judged according to their function alone. Certain objects, such as artwork or collectibles, are kept because they are aesthetically pleasing. Others are treasured for their sentimental value. However, there is another set of criteria that you may find easier to apply in these situations.
IS IT BEAUTIFUL, USEFUL, OR LOVED?
Artist William Morrison developed the most effective way to determine if an item truly serves a purpose. Ask yourself if the object is "beautiful, useful, or loved." I teach this phrase to my clients like a mantra -? repeated over and over and over (actually, they get a bit sick of it after awhile!) Imagine your most treasured belongings -? they all seem to fit into one of these three categories, don't they? Think about it -? if an object isn't beautiful, useful, or loved, then why are you keeping it?
BUT IT WAS EXPENSIVE!
You may say that you are keeping an item because you spent a lot of money on it, and you can't stand to see it go to waste. Well, if you aren't using it now, isn't it still going to waste? Keeping something simply because it was costly is not a good enough REASON. These objects are nothing but high-price reminders of purchasing mistakes you made in the past. Perhaps you can sell it (yard sale, consignment, online auction) and recoup some of the expense.
I MIGHT BE ABLE TO WEAR IT AGAIN!
So, you're keeping those size 3 clothes because you MIGHT fit into them again some day. One question ?- does keeping a garment that is too small encourage you to lose weight or fill you with shame because you still haven't reached your goal? We heap enough guilt onto our heads every day without creating additional pressures. Isn't it healthier to focus on feeling better about your appearance NOW? Why not take your old wardrobe to a consignment shop ?- then spend your profits on clothes that fit and make you feel attractive just as you are.
DON'T "GUILT TRIP" YOURSELF
Another rationalization that I hear fairly regularly is, "Aunt Mildred gave that to me. She would be so (disappointed, hurt, angry) if I got rid of it." I can only respond by asking, "Who runs your life -? you or your Aunt Mildred?" I firmly believe that once you receive a gift, it is yours to do with as you see fit. We place too much importance on "stuff" as it is, without creating an unnecessary sense of obligation. The idea of keeping something that you have no use for, just so you can drag it out when your relatives visit, seems a bit dishonest. Wouldn't you prefer that your loved ones respect who you are, rather than who they want you to be?
FRIENDS, ACQUAINTANCES, AND STRANGERS
If you are still having a hard time letting go of your clutter, you might try an alternative approach. Judith Kolberg, head of the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization, suggests that you treat your belongings as "friends, acquaintances, and strangers." Friends are those items that you like having around ?- ones that really mean something to you. Acquaintances are objects that come into your life, stay for a short time, and then leave again. And strangers are easily discarded ?- you have no strong feelings of devotion toward these items. This method works particularly well for people who have powerful emotional attachments to their belongings.
Ramona Creel is a Professional Organizer and the founder of OnlineOrganizing.com -- a web-based one-stop shop offering everything that you need to get organized at home or at work. At OnlineOrganizing.com, you may get a referral to an organizer near you, shop for the latest organizing products, get tons of free tips, and even learn how to become a professional organizer or build your existing organizing business. And if you would like to read more articles about organizing your life or building your business, get a free subscription to the "Get Organized" and "Organized For A Living" newsletters. Please visit http://www.onlineorganizing.com or contact Ramona directly at http://www.onlineorganizing.com for more information.
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare1. The Law of the 1st StepA good first step... Read More
To make room for new things to come into you... Read More
What does "time" have to do with getting organized? Everything!... Read More
Whatever your clutter problem the answer is the same: make... Read More
Article excerpted from the new book, "How to Do Space... Read More
? Are you embarrassed when you walk into your home... Read More
Winter is starting to retreat, and hints of Spring are... Read More
"Do something every day that you don't want to-do; this... Read More
Sometimes major life lessons come from the most unlikely of... Read More
I followed my boss to a co-worker's cubicle where my... Read More
In many of the companies I have worked in, there... Read More
"Junkyard Wars," a TV series showed two teams of experts... Read More
Q. I have several projects going at once -- but... Read More
Have you ever been totally overwhelmed by a massive task... Read More
Today you have almost as many choices of spice racks... Read More
Spring?. Fresh breezes through open windows, sleeping trees come awake... Read More
EVERY HOME NEEDS AN OFFICEYes, it is true that every... Read More
I have a good friend whom (also being in the... Read More
I recently conducted a survey to look at the relationship... Read More
Life is about maintaining a balance of all aspects. At... Read More
You really can have a successful business and a great... Read More
In one of my favorite books, First Things First, written... Read More
How many of us have enough time to do everything... Read More
Use these 35 sanity savers this year to help you... Read More
1. All or nothing thinking/taking on too much." I'm going... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..Our children are probably the biggest clutter creators we have... Read More
I know I have a problem when I have to... Read More
Spring?. Fresh breezes through open windows, sleeping trees come awake... Read More
"Do something every day that you don't want to-do; this... Read More
Coping with clutter is rarely easy. There's more involved than... Read More
After more than 20 years as an entrepreneur and a... Read More
I recently had a conversation with a friend about clutter.... Read More
I've noticed that in the two years since the major... Read More
A lot of us grew up with Mom taking care... Read More
Paper1. You may already be in the habit of filing... Read More
Clutter in any area of your home is a sign... Read More
Everytime Mary had to find a file on her computer,... Read More
Getting organized is hard. If it weren't, we wouldn't put... Read More
Have you ever felt so discouraged, your life so out-of-control,... Read More
It may be difficult to relate saving money with organization... Read More
There are 3 kinds of clutter: Inner (between our ears);... Read More
"Junkyard Wars," a TV series showed two teams of experts... Read More
Worried because you're moving soon? This really doesn't have to... Read More
Getting Things Done (GTD), is a productivity methodology designed by... Read More
The Law of the 1st StepA good first step in... Read More
Do you use to-do lists? Do you find it satisfying... Read More
De-Cluttering our lives can be an extremely liberating exercise. There... Read More
It may seem far-fetched, but by organizing your desk, your... Read More
Spring is here and its time to sweep away the... Read More
Are you overwhelmed by clutter wherever you turn? Here are... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |