I have been working with clients for over 11 years, and over the course of that time, I have spoken with hundreds and hundreds of people.
Although I have been able to help so many people over the years, sadly, there are still so many who chose not to move forward and get organized. Are you one of them?
When it comes right down to it, it's not the money nor the time involved that is used as an excuse to not move forward. If you want something bad enough, you will find a way to get it.
The real reason is fear. There are so many reasons that fear gets in the way. Here are some that I think are most common.
1. Fear of losing the memory if you let go of something. I always say the memory will remain in your head and in your heart. Taking a picture can help remedy this, as well.
2. Being afraid you will upset the person who gave you something that you are not particularly fond of. I call that "Gift Guilt". Why not pass that "something" onto someone else who can make better use of it and enjoy it instead of storing it somewhere, unused.
3. Envisioning that it will be difficult to make changes in the way you do things and have to build all new habits. It is not as difficult as you might think. I make it a point to provide solutions that are customized to my clients' particular style, so the changes feel more natural.
4. Focusing more on what it will cost - in time, money or effort. The value in getting organized quickly becomes obvious and outways the cost. Investing in yourself is invaluable. Making positive changes can last a lifetime.
5. Feeling embarrassed to show anyone, including a professional such as myself, the fact that you live in such a cluttered or disorganized home. From the first time that we meet, my clients recognize that I am non-judgmental. I find that it is not as bad as they think it is. That is because my focus is on the potential of a given space and formulating a plan of action to provide "a better space" that we can envision for a particular room or an entire home. Although I do see the present condition, I can see "the forest through the trees"!
6. Being afraid of letting go because you think you will end up needing that item again some day. I call that "someday syndrome" and explain how that can be detrimental.
7. You have a fear of failure. You think that your attempts to get organized won't work. On the contrary, the systems that I put into place do work because they are so easy to maintain. Again, that is because they are customized, so they are a natural solution that meet your specific needs and coincide with how you function.
Which of these sound familiar to you? What are you afraid of?
On a day to day basis, living in fear only results in people remaining in a cluttered environment.
As we work together to create longlasting results, I spend time coaching my clients and get them past their fears. This is what creates the positive changes in their lives that they can experience for years to come.
Unfortunately, some never experience that change because of their overwhelming fear. Are you familiar with the quote by Albert Einstein: "Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results"?
If you want different results, you have to do things differently and that involves change. Admittedly, the fear of the unknown can be scary, but with the proper guidance from a professional organizer, such as myself, can you past your fears and onto a much more organized and happy life that is much less stressful.
We have all been there. I have certainly gotten past fears stepped out of my own comfort zone throughout my life, so I know how it feels. Getting to the other side of fear, however, provides a profound sense of relief and freedom. Opportunities open up when you open yourself up to change.
This holds true when you let go of the obstacle of fear in relation to getting organized. What waits for you on the other side is peace, serenity, time, room to breathe, reduced stress and control of your surroundings. It's so freeing!
If you want a life without clutter, you need to know that it is possible if you just get past your fears. You simply need to take action! Take that first step and don't be afraid to reach out for help. I am here for you.
