“Things are just things, they don’t make you who you are“. You may have heard this quote before, but do you really believe it? There is actually a real link between the state of your house and your mental and emotional health! Having a cluttered house effects us in more ways than we realize, which is why decluttering is always where we start! See our Organization page for lots of great ideas to get started!
We just recently launched our latest course, 8 Weeks to an Organized Home: How to Organize Your Home and Keep It That Way. I am so excited about this course because of what it has personally done for my home, my family and my life. Not all of us can afford to physically bring a professional organizer into our home, which is why we found a way to do so in video format! Here’s a little preview, and some tips on decluttering:
Decluttering: 3 Mindsets That Get in the Way of Getting Organized and Staying Organized
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One of the biggest steps to getting an organized home is DECLUTTERING. Sounds simple right? Wrong! Decluttering and getting rid of items in your home can be so difficult for many of us. You actually need to recognize and change your mindset when it comes to the way you look at ‘things’. I’ve included a video here that is from the course where I share with you how you can adjust your mindset so you can recognize when things serve a purpose, are useful or bring you joy and…when they just don’t anymore (We get in touch with our inner Elsa and do some serious letting it go).
Here are the top 3 mindsets I talk about in the video that prevent people from being able to get rid of things. If you’re having trouble with clutter, take a look at these. Do any of them sound familiar? Also, make sure and read our post on how to declutter using the “EEE” Rule!
- “I spent money on it!”
“I spent good money on this and I’ve only used it once or twice. I can’t get rid of it”. Yes, you did spend money and yes, there’s a good chance it was expensive. But if it’s not useful and serving it’s purpose to you, could it be better used somewhere else or by someone else? Get rid of the guilt. which leads us to number two…
2. Guilt!
“Someone gave this to me! It was a gift! It’s sentimental!” This is often said about things lying around our house that were gifts, or we got during a special time, or when we went to special place. This is a dangerous mindset that can lead to lots and lots of clutter. It’s important to look at an item, let’s say a gift, and think- what was the purpose of that gift? Was it to thank you? To celebrate you? Did it serve that purpose? Can it now be passed on to someone or somewhere to better serve its’ purpose? Recognize that you can still be grateful to that person, or still remember that special experience without having to hold on to that ‘thing’.
3. “I might use it one day!”
This is such a big one that gets us into so much trouble! Especially when it comes to clothes. “I might lose a few pounds. I might fix that hole in it someday, etc.” Even if there’s a slim chance you might use it someday, the reality is you’re probably not! There’s different tips and tricks I share in this course that can help you recognize how very rare it is that you will use these items, just in case you’re not a believer.
Now, what we’re talking about here is difficult. I’m the first one to admit it! We’re talking about changing your mindset. But this is how you simplify. This is how things change for you. This is how you get organized! If you’re interested in learning more about how to change your mindset and simplify your life, and you want some more organizational gems of wisdom- be sure to check out our course! It will help you not only get organized once, but will help you STAY that way.
What do you think?