Inside: the one concept to embrace in the process of letting go that will increase your ability to stay on the declutter course. 🤍
To increase your ability to stay on the declutter course you must understand the very basic process of decluttering.
There is a lot of information out there about how to declutter. The steps in the process are important and I certainly have written about them here.
Understanding what to expect with the entire process sets you up for better success.
It is like seeing the preview to a movie. Or even getting your hands on the map of the battlefield you are about to enter. It gives you the upper hand and allows you to go into battle more confidently – knowing what to expect by the process itself.
So, yes, it is important to know how to declutter – and to know the steps in the process:
- get clear on your vision
- start small – one space, one desk, one category of clothes
- purge – let go of what doesn’t serve a purpose or add any meaning to your life.
- clear the decks
- repeat
And that last step is perhaps the most important. It’s a major part of the process and leaving it out, or forgetting its importance will derail your efforts. Without a full embrace and understanding of the need for that step, you won’t declutter thoroughly. And you are more likely to skip other important steps on the path to getting organized.
To stay on the declutter course understand this:
Decluttering is not a linear task. It is a cyclical one in two important ways:
1. It is cyclical in the repetitiveness of doing the actual decluttering work.
This involves choosing a spot, setting up your declutter stations (keep, toss, move), clearing the decks – and beginning again until all areas are decluttered. This cycle is about improvement and making small changes that lead to greater results.
It’s like…going to the gym. At first, it feels dreadful. The more you go, the stronger you become, and the more you can see and feel the benefit. And that makes it more appealing.
2. It is also cyclical in maintaining your work.
You didn’t get on that merry-go-round, and spend all that time in the mess, only to keep repeating that cycle. Cyclical maintenance is the key to staying on top of clutter as it comes in. {And if you live an in-process life, it will come in!}
It requires you to keep your finger on the pulse of your home, and the systems you built. You do this when you tidy up daily – making sure things are in a home and that the home is “working”. And when you check in – a few times a year – and assess how the space feels, and how you feel in it.
If you stop going to the gym after you have reached your goal of getting in shape and strong, your muscles atrophy. You start to slip out of shape. And then you must start the process all.over.again. The same goes for decluttering.
Continuing to work out is to a healthy body as continuing to tidy up and let go of recurring clutter is to a happy, clutter-free home.
This concept or necessary outlook on the process might sound simple, or even obvious. Or it might make you roll your eyes as you whip your head back and exhale heavily towards the sky.
You aren’t alone in doing that.
The act of decluttering conjures up so much fear and frustration that the cyclical nature of the work feels heavier than the clutter itself. And because of that, it is more often ignored…or cast aside.
If you want to continue your progress you must understand and embrace that it will get chaotic before it gets better. And know that repeating the cycle yields necessary growth – however slowly.
Even though decluttering feels like you are on a merry-go-round and the often messy process leaves you feeling…dizzy, there is good news.
The dizziness subsides.
When you are in the process it can feel like there is no end to ride. But there is an end.
And if you focus on what you gain from letting go you might even enjoy the ride.
Even better news is that as you cycle through your clutter the process will feel more doable. The more you let go, the easier it becomes to discern and decide. And the quicker you get to the desired end…
…a decluttered space that will now positively affect your life in many, many ways.
Approach the work having all the information about what doing this work entails. Remind yourself why you doing this work (and that you deserve the benefits of it).
Then get on that merry-go-round. And enjoy the ride.
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If you need help embracing the process and the need for the work itself and would benefit from some guidance, my Clutter Coaching Program is for you. Connect with me to easily apply for this program and set up a time to chat.
