 FAQs: Frequently
Asked Questions
Here are four of the most common statements or pressing concerns of my clients to date:
“I can’t get rid of it . . .
I spent too much money on it.”
There are a couple of reasons to eliminate mistaken purchases:
- Keeping it won’t bring the money back.
- Storing something out of guilt will only serve to remind you of your mistake. In essence
it’s turning one money mistake into two.
Who needs that kind of guilt?
- All of the things that you store are costing you more than the initial investment. They take up valuable
space which you pay for each month when you write out your mortgage or rent check. Plus, you’re paying home owners or renter’s
insurance to insure items that you may not even be using, or might have forgotten that you own! Long story short: you’re wasting
money taking care of things you don’t use.
“I might need it someday.”
Here are a few questions to consider:
- Is it in workable condition, or do you need to fix it or to recover it or find a new lampshade
for it? If that’s the case, get it
fixed or updated now. Give yourself a deadline. “If I haven’t taken it in to be fixed by the end of the month—its gone.”
- Will
you be able to find it? You can’t use what you can’t find!
- Would it be fairly easy and inexpensive to replace?
- How will you use it and when?
“I can’t decide.”
One of the tricks of the trade is to store items in a box. Label, seal and date the box. Anything that you
reach for during the allotted time is something worth keeping. If you haven’t reached for the contents within a year or so, donate
it.
This is where the experts differ. One method is to donate the box unopened to prevent any second guessing. The other method is to
review it. Personally, I’d need one last peek. Do what works for you.
“I don‘t wanna.”
OK, that’s not an exact quote. But often the reasons (or excuses) that clients give sound something
like: “that’s not
the way I want to spend my time” or “I need the evenings to recover so that I can go to work the next day, and do it all
over again.” “Purging is too stressful.”
I know, I feel your pain. It's hard not to dread the process. The truth is
you have to commit to staying organized. The main reason that I commit to it, is that ultimately it simplifies my life. If you fall behind
it’s tough to catch up. Once you clear the clutter
you’ll feel a sense of freedom. You’ll feel lighter. So, chip away at it little by little. Once you’re done, stay on
top of it, so you can stop playing catch up.
KAREN HENKE is a professional organizer and the owner of Come2Order. With a collection of 17 years work experience in design, space planning and organization, she now helps others come to order. |
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