Organizing your home can feel like a battle of voices within. There really is an Inner Struggle of Organizing. Each aspect of your personality contributes a different perspective on why you should keep, repurpose, donate, or discard items. And these different perspectives don’t always see eye to eye. This is one reason why organizing can be so difficult, there are simply too many decisions with dependencies competing for attention.
The way to start is by understanding these conflicting internal dialogues can help you create a more organized and harmonious living space.
The Inner Struggle of Organizing
Ambitious Self
The Visionary Ambitious self wants your home to be pristine and organized. It sees the potential for a clutter-free environment and the peace it can bring. However, it can become overwhelming when the clean and organized home feels out of reach. This is a difficult struggle to internalize so you have to reflect on your intentions, and make sure you aren’t reaching so high that you forgo peace of mind.
Hoarder Self
The Keeper of Just-in-Case The hoarder self whispers, “But I may need this one day.” This voice is driven by fear of future need and the anxiety of letting go.
It’s important to remind this part of you that if something hasn’t been used in the past year, it’s unlikely to be needed in the future. There are many different methods for approaching this.
Sentimental Self
The Memory Keeper Sentimental self holds onto items because of the memories attached to them. It says, “Awe, I can’t get rid of this! Remember when…” To manage this, limit yourself to one box of sentimental items per loved one.
Compare new items to what’s already in the box and decide which is more meaningful to keep.
Recycling Self
The Creative Recycler The recycling self thinks about repurposing and reusing. It asks, “Can this be used for something else?” While this is environmentally friendly, it can lead to accumulation.
Establish a rule: if you can’t think of a specific, immediate use for an item, it should go. Easier said than done? We know.
Charitable Self
The Giver Charitable self wants to donate items to those in need. This is a wonderful habit, but it can also lead to piles of items waiting to be donated.
Set a regular schedule for donation trips to ensure these items don’t linger too long.
Voice of Pragmatism
The Realist The voice, often sounding like your significant other, might demand, “Throw all the crap away and quit ordering more crap.”
This no-nonsense perspective can be useful for cutting through indecision. Promise this voice to reduce unnecessary purchases and focus on decluttering.
Procrastinator Self
The Delayer The procrastinator self delays action, saying, “I don’t feel like cleaning right now. I’ll do it later.” Combat this by setting a timer for short, focused sessions of decluttering.
Reward yourself after completing each session to create a positive association with the task.
Strategies for Harmonizing Your Inner Voices
Break Down Tasks
Start small. Focus on one drawer or one portion of a room at a time. This makes the task less overwhelming and provides a sense of accomplishment with each completed section.
Establish Clear Rules
Create rules for each voice. For example:
- If an item hasn’t been used in a year, it goes.
- Sentimental items must fit in a designated box.
- Regularly schedule donation trips or junk haulers.
- Limit new purchases to essentials.
Set Timers and Rewards
Use a timer to limit decluttering sessions to manageable chunks of time. Reward yourself with something enjoyable after completing a session, reinforcing the positive aspects of organizing.
Visualize Your Ideal Home
Remind yourself of the end goal: a clean, organized space that brings peace and clarity. Visualize how you want each room to look and feel, and use this vision to motivate you through the decluttering process.
Involve Family and Friends
Enlist the help of a friend or family member who can provide an outside perspective and keep you focused. They can help you decide what to keep, donate, or discard, making the process less daunting.
Organizing your home is not just about tidying up; it’s about creating a space that reflects the best version of yourself. By acknowledging and addressing each voice within, you can navigate the clutter and find a balance that works for you. Remember, we are here to help so schedule a consultation below to get professional decluttering for your home.