Here's a fun fact: 80% of the clutter in most homes isn't due to lack of space, it's because of disorganization. Another fun fact is that you're probably not using 80% of the stuff in your home - especially your wardrobe.
Blame it on lack of time, space, energy, money, or lack of support, but the real issue is that a lot of people find it really difficult to get rid of their stuff (even when it's literal garbage) and they don't know how to organize the stuff they do want to keep. Some people don't even realize there's a difference between organizing and purging but they're actually two different steps.
You can organize without purging and you can purge without organizing. But if you're looking to get and stay organized, both steps should be taken for best results.
Read further to learn the difference between organizing and purging. And learn how you can use them together to create amazing changes in your home, your head, and your life.
Organizing
Organizing is the act of putting like or similar items together in a way that makes them easy to find, use, and return.
As an example; when organizing your closet, it makes sense to hang all your shirts together. It also makes sense to keep all your shirts near your sweaters as they're both tops. However, there's no one specific way to organize. It's about creating a system that works for how you live and think within a specific space such as your home or office.
Easy Organizing Tips
Being organized helps you save time, money, and make smarter, healthier decisions that can greatly improve your life. Here are a few easy organizing tips to help you get started:
Keep similar items together - Keeping your pens near your pencils can help you remember where you keep items
Always return an item immediately after use (or when you notice it's not where it belongs because, hey, even I'm not always great at adhering to this very simple-in-theory-yet-somehow-really-hard-in-practice rule)
Begin by pulling every item in the area you're organizing so you can see what you have. This will help you make smarter, more informed decisions.
While these rules are helpful, keep in mind that sometimes we all get a little behind on our organizing tasks. I tend to forget to return my scissors, earbuds, and glasses to their rightful place. Give yourself a break if you catch yourself slipping and then simply return to the boundaries and systems you've set up.
Purging
Purging is about getting rid of what you no longer need, use, or like. I like to think of purging as an act of love towards yourself. You're shedding what no longer supports you.
Purging can feel hugely stressful. It's a lot of decisions and if you're not feeling like your best, strongest self, purging can feel worse than a root canal.
But if you reframe purging as an exercise in self-love, it's a much easier process. Write down 5-10 adjectives that describe what you like most about yourself. If you're struggling write down 5-10 adjectives that describe who you wish you were (or really, how you wish you thought of yourself) such as:
Beautiful
Smart
Courageous
Confident
Funny
Kind
Great. Now you know the characteristics of the items you want to surround yourself with. So when you pick up that shirt you haven't worn in 3 years because not only doesn't it flatter your current body type but also because yellow doesn't make you feel beautiful even if it is a nice pattern, you'll know immediately that it doesn't fit your list of criteria and it's time to let it go.
Tips for Easier Purging
Purging can feel overwhelming, even to seasoned professionals. Here are a few tips to help make the process easier:
Be kind and gentle with yourself - this isn't a test. You CAN'T Fail at it if you try so stop crapping all over yourself because you were too tired, ran out of time, or just got overwhelmed. Focus on what you did do.
It's okay not to have an answer or not be ready to get rid of something
It's okay to like something no one else does and keep it
You can always keep it and change your mind later
The process can go as quickly or slowly as you need it to go. Your process, your pace
Why Purging and Organizing Work Best When Used Together
If you do decide to purge and organize, purge first. This way, you'll eliminate all the trash and other unwanted items from the area. This makes it easier to see the items you do want to keep and helps you organize them.
Purging first will also allow your brain to feel less overwhelmed. Aim to keep items in places closest to where they're being used.
Find Your Light Again
There's a good chance that 80% of what you've surrounded yourself in life you don't use, like, or need. Think about that because whether you're aware of it or not, it is affecting your life.
And if you don't like how your life is looking right now, now's the perfect time to start making changes about what and who you're surrounding yourself with. If you're ready to finally find your light underneath all that clutter, it's time to book a session.