Do you ever find yourself standing in an area of your home trying to figure out if you can locate one more foot of space to store that "special something" you just can't part with? Or perhaps you can't move or even breathe in that space anymore, because of the clutter.
If that's the case, then it's definitely time to "purge". It's not a very pretty word, is it? And tackling that de clutter job seems overwhelming, but the benefits of letting go are priceless.
So, how to begin? There are a couple of approaches that are time tested and true. First there are the old Keep/Donate/Toss rules.
- Keep - Only the things you use and love.
- Donate - The things that are still in good shape and could benefit someone else.
- Toss - Everything else.
That strategy is black and white, plain and simple, and direct. But as with many of us, perhaps you see life with more areas in shades of gray. Maybe you're a sentimental person and have deep attachments to all that you own. If so, a more subtle approach is needed. I prefer the Yesterday/Today/Tomorrow method.
- Yesterday - Things that you've used in the past.
- Today - Things you use all the time.
- Tomorrow - They are those "what if" things.
The idea is to let go of Yesterday. It's gone and life moves on. Of course there are always a few meaningful things from your past that you are reluctant to part with. How should you decide? It may help to imagine that if there were a fire and you only had a moment to grab something, what would it be? That's the Yesterday you should keep! Take pictures of everything else. That way they aren't totally lost to you and you can look back on them with fond memories.
Hang on to Today! It's here, it's now, and you are living it!
Then there's Tomorrow. Now that's the hard one! The "what if I need this later"? The issue here is an old one and you need to use some common sense. After all, most of us realize that you can't live your life wondering about the "what ifs" or you won't have any time left for the present. So don't hang on to things that you aren't using today!
Still overwhelmed by the job? Then break it down into smaller segments. Set a timer for ½ hour and sort just for that allotted time. Then set your timer for another 15 minutes for a break. Reset again for ½ hour and continue sorting, taking breaks every so often. Once you get into the rhythm, you'll probably find that it's a lot easier than you thought. If you still have trouble, a professional can help to define the gray areas and keep you motivated. So, go ahead and "Get The Urge To Purge!" You'll be glad you did.
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