I am finishing up a job with a client who called me knowing she had a move planned. The move was a downsize to a smaller home after living decades in the current space. It was at last time to go through her life possessions and get organized.
First, we discussed her vision, focusing on the future. How do you want your life to be? What will you be doing? What are your priorities? Once clear, we kept that in mind over these last few months as we went through each room. For each and every item, we asked:
“does this item serve you?
Is it useful?
Does it bring you joy?
Is it beautiful to you?
Do you LOVE LOVE LOVE it?
A half-hearted “well, I like it” just isn’t good enough. After a while it became very easy for my client to make the choices and let go when the anwer was NO. And, she kept on letting go on the unpack, when she was in her new beautiful smaller space.
You see, organizing is about you, about being good to yourself. Let me reiterate. Please, get arrogant about YOU when you organize. You are a unique, special individual unlike no one else walking on this planet today, so you simply don’t have the time or the space to have things around you that aren’t perfect LOVE LOVE LOVE items that serve you.
When you pack to move, it costs you money to buy the boxes, move the stuff, pay the movers. Even if you are doing it yourself, it cost you time and energy not to mention the cost to the planet to transport things that don’t serve you.
No worries, however, because if you do not have the luxury of time to go through things slowly before packing, there is another opportunity to do so on the unpack. I tell my clients: when you unpack, think of each box as a new present to open. Are you happy to “get” that “gift” you just unwrapped? Again, will you use it and/or enjoy it? DOES IT SERVE YOU? If no, “return it”. That is, put it back in another box, take it to a donation center or give it away to friends or family. Get it back out into the planet to serve someone else.
Stuff that serves you is either useful, joyful, or beautiful to you. Anything less, and it’s a waste of your precious time.
Call me if you have trouble. Your worth it.