Why “just in case” is a dead end phrase

{Inside: Why ‘just in case’ is a dead-end phrase, and the 3 things to do to avoid uttering it.}

As a professional organizer for the past 20+ years, I have come to expect to hear certain words and phrases from clients as we start the purging process and the work of lightening their load.  Phrases like “I can’t get rid of that because it was a gift”, or “I might need that” are said often at first, along with the seemingly justifiable phrase that comes along right after I ask, “Why are you keeping that”?

The answer?

Just in case.

Purging is integral to any organizing endeavor. It’s the physical act of letting go of things that no longer (or perhaps never did) serve a purpose in your life or your space. And the mere thought of purging conjures up a ton of fear which is why we quickly want to justify why we must keep things.

Just in case sounds reasonable.

Often you are purging, decluttering, and letting go of years of “stuff” that would have to have some meaning – given that you kept it along for so long. In fact, you want to justify why you have kept it so long or why you might need to keep it longer.

But the truth is over time, some things lose their purpose. And as such, they don’t serve your overall plan of how you want to feel in your space.

Knowing how you want to feel is important if you want to contend with clutter. When you’re clear on how you want the space to look and feel, you start to see more clearly, and honestly, not only what doesn’t fit the plan, but why.

It turns keeping something ‘just in case’ into letting go with confidence.

If you want to live your life with more freedom you must look at what you are keeping, and why. When you do this, uttering the dead-end phrase “just in case” will be tempting, but fleeting.  Ask yourself:

Just in case what?

So often the answer to that never comes to fruition.

The reason you keep something ‘just in case’ doesn’t happen.

Just in case I need extra “spare” towels if more than 6 people visit at a time.

Just in case the other 3 shirts I own get stained, or dirty, or…?

Just in case I get cold and the other things I own that still serve a purpose all of a sudden don’t do the job.

It is a phrase, like other statements that get in the way of the purge, born out of fear — fear of letting go, not having enough, not being ready.

That is why you say it.

It is a dead-end phrase that will always equal never unless you push yourself through the fears.

Three things to do to avoid saying when ‘just in case’ is uttered

1. Dig into what you want to see and how you want to feel in your space.

Get crystal clear and let that clarity be your North Star

2. Let go of what doesn’t fit your vision.

Match how you want to feel with what you own. If they don’t match, it’s an indication to let go.

3. Ask all the necessary questions.

To determine if something is worthy of keeping ask the practical questions to keep the emotion out of play and help you let go easier.

4. If you utter the phrase pay attention.

It is an indication that the item is on the chopping block. Welcome the signal. It is there to warn you, and to guide you to let go.

Fear is not the enemy.

It’s the clue. It’s the indication that it is time to act.

The next time you justify keeping something “just in case”, ask yourself what that means and gently question your motives.

Be conscious of what you own, and why. And make sure what you keep does its job of beautifying your life and your space.

Otherwise, it’ll likely lead you down a dead-end road.

Let me help you lighten your load, and get organized in the process. My online, self-paced, Conquer Your Clutter course is open! Dive in to learn how to conquer your clutter and get organized, for good!