Get Organized - Get Rid of Stuff

I had two toddlers at home, a living room full of toys, hampers bursting with clothing, a schedule chock full of car pooling duties and I dreamed of a magical place called Organized. I'd read about it in books which included explicit directions to take me from heaps of chaos to order. The directions were as useful as knowing there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, they didn't tell me HOW to get there.

Over time I have stumbled and gotten sidetracked, but I am well on my way to Organized. I'll share the lessons I've learned and hopefully help answer HOW to get organized for others.

1. Stop buying stuff. There is not one book, box, bin, container or system that will get you organized when you have too much stuff. If you shop as a hobby, give it up. Cold turkey. From this moment forward buy only what you need. I can see those wheels turning already..."But I really need a new pair of red heels for that cute little wrap dress I got at Macy's. Oh and then I have to have those darling gold hoops..." Forget it. How do you know if you need something? By replacing something old. If you need the red heels, replace a pair you no longer use. If you can't bear to part with any of the shoes you have lining your closet floor (and shelves, and under the bed, and in the corner, and stacked by the front door) then you don't need a new pair. I know this is a tough step, but just do it.

2. Get rid of stuff. I didn't say it was going to get easier. Now that you've quit bringing in arm loads of new junk (even if it's good junk, it's still junk) everyday, sort through all the old junk still hanging around. If you have studied Feng Shui, you'll know that this old junk sucks up your life energy like a sponge. If you've been feeling sluggish, overwhelmed or depressed, your stuff may be to blame. Ah, but where to begin?

Bathroom Cabinets, Drawers and Kitchen Pantry and Refrigerator - The first step is the easiest because there is no judgment call. Look through all your perishables and toss everything that is expired. Food, medicine, lotions and creams, you'll be amazed at how much you find. Once you're done, take a look at the amount of stuff purchased and not used. That is cash in the trash. I had several bottles of multi vitamins that were half full and expired because every time I got on a health kick, I would buy a new bottle. The old bottles got shoved to the back of the cabinet and I forgot they were there.

Broke and Busted - Do you have a vacuum cleaner, a VCR or a toaster you planned to fix but stored in the garage instead? Have you already replaced it? Maybe you still think you'll get it repaired and it will be your back up, in case the new model breaks down too. Instead, you'll have a collection of broken down gadgets. My husband likes to save broken appliances for their parts, but we've never actually stripped down the 1990 Compaq for its hard drive. Donate your ghastly little electronic corpses to Goodwill, where they can be restored and sold for charity. Other broke and busted treasures to trim: toys, furniture, clothing and tools. I know you plan to restore it someday, or it still has some good use in it, but when is someday going to happen? Don't you deserve to feel happy and successful today? Does surrounding yourself with a bunch of broken reminders of unkept promises make you happy?

Keep your favorite - When you have multiples, keep your favorite and let the rest go. For example, how many black purses do you have? You only need one, so keep your favorite and let the rest go. How many blenders, crock pots, sun tea jars do you need? This is not a trick question, the answer is one, let the rest go.

Now you've made room in your life for change to happen. Cabinets that were stuffed full of expired, broken or redundant items are now manageable. You can't begin to organize until you come to grips with all the stuff.

3. Keep the stuff out - This is the hardest step of all. It seems like we judge and are judged by how much we can accumulate. The temptation is always lurking, to fill our lives with things and hope happiness follows. Whenever I consider buying something new I ask myself the following questions:

Do I love it? If the answer is no, I stop right there. Once you've conquered the clutter only surround yourself with things you love. Unfortunately for Aunt Ethel, that does include gifts. I ask people to give me a day of their company in lieu of gifts. If they ignore my wishes and buy me a stained glass turtle lamp, I don't feel nearly as guilty when I let it go. I'll take a photo of the turtle and I, which I mail along with a Thank You note. I then post the photo on the bulletin board at work, "Lost Turtle Seeks Home" and I find someone willing to love this poor orphan. When Aunt Ethel asks, I simple tell the truth, "Oh, Cindy fell in love with Titan (that's what we named the turtle) and she wouldn't stop begging and weeping until I let her take him home. You actually gave two gifts in one."

What will I give up for this? I don't bring anything into my home without removing a like item. New pants in, old pants out, new shoes in, old shoes out. If I'm unwilling to let something go, I don't buy it.

Do I have to dust it? This makes me think about the long term commitment I making to care for this item.

I hope these basic steps help you start your journey to Organized. I think the trip is worth it, because I feel more in control and at peace knowing I own my stuff, it doesn't own me.

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