Often, I get a call from clients  living in  a regular―mots common― size home, lets say 1400 sq. feet, wanting me to help them find more room for their belongings in  their home filled up to the brim.

Most of my clients laments about their lack of storage space. Their closets, cupboards, cabinets, attics, basements, and garages are bursting at the seams.  Their request, “Where on earth should I keep all my stuff?”

The idea of ever becoming truly organized sometimes seems hopeless because there is just no space. The problem is not a lack of storage space; the real problem is too much stuff.

The reason our grandparents and great-grandparents could live with a handful of tiny closets in their 1400 square foot homes is that they simply didn’t accumulate the massive quantities of things that we have today.  The irony is that all these gadgets and appliances and modern conveniences are supposed to somehow make our lives easier, and instead they just add to the noise, the stress, and the clutter.

To live a truly organized and orderly life, you have to change your thinking completely. Unless you are determined to let go of what you do no use or need, it will never happen. Modern culture has glorified consumption to the point that continually buying more has become the norm and as a result you are drowning. You keep accumulating more, and more, and more until you are totally suffocating. So what’s the solution? 

Stop the Flow of Temptation

Temptation is everywhere.  Even though you went to the store to purchase a specific item, you become immediately drawn in to all the pretty, shiny, things. What! Does it matter if you didn’t really need it? Your desire created the need. The first step in living a clutter-free life is to commit to stopping this flow.

Sometimes it means avoiding your favourite stores; for others avoid the thrift stores or garage sale hopping. It means winning the mental battle and convincing yourself that what you have is already enough.

Ruthlessly Purge

Paring down the number of things you already have is the next phase of the battle.  Give yourself permission to only keep the things currently useful, despite who gave them to you or how much they cost. This can be really hard, especially at first. That’s where the ruthless part comes in.

• As you sort through your things, ask yourself these questions:
• Do I use it, wear it, or play with it?
• Do these clothes still fit?
• Is it in good working condition?
• Does it enrich my life in some way?
• Does it have sentimental value?
• Could someone else use it more?

If you have any questions, please call Marie Morrell at 613-936-6873 or email: office@workeasysolutions.com or visit: www.workeasysolutions.com

Next week: introducing ‘ Categorize, Set strict limits and value quality over quantity’.