Decluttering: Exactly HOW important is it?
Most people assume decluttering is an optional step in the organizing process when in reality it’s essential. When you have an area that’s cluttered it’s impossible to see all of your inventory. Little unecessary things can easily get lost and forgotten in the chaos over time which leads to the accumulation of even more unecessary things and in the end creates…you guessed it: Clutter.
People often hold off on decluttering because they know that means they have to get rid of things but decluttering doesn’t mean you have to get rid of everything you own. It consists of tossing literal trash along with items that do not instantly…and I mean INSTANTLY ignite excitement. (Refer to the Konmari Method) If you’ve forgotten about an item or haven’t used it in over 6 months, chances are you don’t need it in your life. I like to compare decluttering to cleaning out my closet. I believe I cleaned out my closet 3 times this past summer and it’s STILL filled with clothes that I dont’ wear because I myself struggle with letting things go. I look at a piece of clothing and think to myself “I’ll wear this when I lose some weight…” or “As soon as I get rid of it I’m going to want to randomly wear it one day and regret getting rid of it!” But all of these thoughts are just the “What Ifs” that get in the way. Not only do “What If” thoughts get in our way of decluttering, they also create a false fear which prevents us from moving forward and making progress; which defeats the entire purpose of organizing!
This is a topic that’s difficult to discuss with clients because at the end of the day, I can’t force anyone to get rid of anything. It’s their choice. But, it’s absolutely necessary and something they have to face if they want the results they’re looking for. Just like you can’t lose weight without proper diet and exercise, you can’t properly organize without decluttering. I know it’s hard to imagine but it completely transforms a space into a whole new one! It’s mind blowing to see the difference it makes and the options it gives you. Before decluttering, your options are limited but after decluttering they can multiply!
So, before you hire a professional organizer, I cannot express how important it is that you first ask yourself if you’re ready to take that next step and commit to decluttering otherwise you’ll be paying full price for half the satisfaction!
