Decluttering can be such a daunting task, especially if you have a lot of possessions and sentimental attachments to them. Being overly emotional about possessions happens to the best of us, but if we really want to be successful with decluttering, we must realize the emotions are coming from our own mindset, and not our possessions.
Detaching your emotions from the inanimate objects that are occupying valuable real estate in your home is imperative to making objective decisions about the clutter. Is the clutter preventing you from functioning, and possibly causing depression or lack of motivation, and even hindering you from being able to pursue a current desire or dream?
I encourage ways of processing and detaching from emotions in order to be present in the immediate need of function of the space.
Here are 5 ways of overcoming blocks while organizing. It should help you with having a more objective perspective of your project without involving emotions that can delay decisions, conjure up guilt, and prevent you from achieving your goals.
1. CREATE A GOAL
Focus on that goal, and it will help you formulate a more efficient plan.
Is it to simply declutter? Is it to clear out a space for a home gym or craft room? Is it to update your wardrobe? Create a goal.
2. HAVE A PLAN
Go into the project with end results in mind. Don't just "start and see what happens".
Envision the space you are trying to create. What is in it? What isn't in it? Is keeping a particular item going to serve your goal?
3. BE MINDFUL
Instead of focusing on what you're getting rid of, focus on what to keep in order to work towards the goal. Remember that your possessions do not control nor define you, and that letting go of things can be a positive and freeing experience.
4. DON'T WASTE TIME
Don't waste time (unless you truly have something that is worth a good amount of money, meaning at least over $100, not a $5 or $10 item!) wondering if you could sell your stuff. Here's the hard truth. If you own something you never use, the money was "wasted" when you bought it. Not when you're getting rid of it. You're not getting the value back, and will likely spend more time and effort than it's worth trying to sell the items for pennies on the dollar. You are working towards a clear space and peace of mind, hanging onto items longer while you work to sell them (and often, with little to no success) is not in alignment with the goal.
5. GET SUPPORT
Don't be afraid to ask for help or support from friends, family members, or a professional. Having someone to talk to or bounce ideas off of, can make the decluttering process feel less overwhelming.
Remember, detaching from emotion while decluttering is a process, and it takes practice and patience. By using these strategies to be mindful of your thoughts and the goal, you can make more objective decisions and create a more organized and clutter-free living space!
My favorite sentence in this post was, "Instead of focusing on what you're getting rid of, focus on what to keep in order to work towards the goal." So often, the largest obstacle is the client's anxiety over letting go of possessions (and the emotional attachments to them), but focusing from a position of abundance and what they wish to keep is pretty transformative. It's hard to be logical and unemotional, so whatever we (whether as loved ones or professional organizers) can do to help dilute the emotional attachment to the item to reframe, more logically, the better chance someone will have to reduce their excess. Great points.
For some, emotions and emotional attachments hinder the decluttering and organizing process. One effective strategy has to do with kinesthetic sympathy. Have someone else hold up items you are deciding about. Creating a physical distance by not touching an object helps lessen the emotional attachment. Once we touch an object, feelings of belonging or wanting to keep it can increase.
Great post! I love your statement, "If you own something you never use, the money was "wasted" when you bought it. Not when you're getting rid of it. You're not getting the value back." That is so true. Remembering this will make a world of difference for everyone.
Thoughts on Five ways to overcome blocks when organizing. Very insightful, yet simple enough to educate without a lot of effort required. It very much reminded me of a book I read on minimalism. I enjoyed the blog, great job!