The Power of the Purge
"More isn't always better Linus, sometimes it's just more."
One of my favorite lines from an all-time favorite movie. (If you haven't seen it, find Sabrina with Harrison Ford, Julia Ormond and Greg Kinnear, circa 1995. It's a great story and you can watch it with your teenage daughter without cringing!)
Minimalism cannot be denied as a serious trend in America today. And a lean in that direction is definitely needed. As organizers, we see homes so full of clutter that the owners can no longer appreciate the things they own. Some let go pretty easily, while others really struggle to get rid of things, no matter the value to an outsider looking in. Each client we see is unique. There are as many reasons to hold onto things as there are stars in the sky. But our goal is to help our clients hold onto the memories without the clutter.
The more "stuff" you own, the harder it is to maintain. You can try your hardest to organize a room with too much stuff, but I guarantee it won't stay that way. Buying my kids more clothes doesn't mean I do laundry less often...it just means they have more to maintain and keep organized! The more toys they have, the less time they seem to want to spend in the playroom. I admit, I had a serious makeup addiction to tackle a few years ago. I typically wear the same shade or two of lipstick, eye shadow and blush, and yet I used to keep an entire drawer full of makeup! Most of my makeup now fits in a small organizer.
So how do you get over the hurdle of sentimentality or just plain dread of going through your home or office and getting rid of things?
First, you need to figure out why you want to declutter. Do you have too many outdated items no one in your home uses? Are you paying for a storage unit? Moving soon and need to downsize? Are you listing your house for sale and want to sell for more money? All of these are great reasons to minimize your belongings.
Your next step is to decide what you're going to do with the things you no longer need.
In my personal experience and that of working with clients, it helps to know where your items are going. If you are planning a purge and know you'll struggle to get rid of things, look up local charities before the purge. Ask them what kinds of items they're in need of. Domestic Bliss is happy to donate the items for you, or help you schedule a pick-up if there are big items to donate.
Your last step is to call for reinforcements! Purging is our specialty! We love to help clients de-clutter and organize their homes and offices! Having an organizer help you with this process really does make a difference. You will get the job done in far less time, and with far less stress. We make the process easy for you!
Book a free consultation online at www.yourdomesticbliss.com!
