Self-help questions to ask yourself
(to get you started, or keep you going)
Question About Acquiring:
- Do I have an immediate use for it?
- Do I need it? How many do I already have?
- Can I get by without it?
- Do I feel compelled to have it?
- Can I afford it comfortably?
- Do I have time to deal with it appropriately i.e. ? maintain it?
Questions About Discarding:
- Do I need it?
- Do I have a plan to use this?
- Have I used this in the last year?
- Can I get it elsewhere i.e. the library?
- Do I have enough space for it already clear and available?
- Do I love it?
How to Organize & Let Go:
- Start with one area; spend as many future work periods as needed to complete your goal for this area
- If entrances, exits or areas near heat and ignition sources for example (furnaces, stoves, portable heaters, baseboard heaters, water heaters or uncovered light bulbs), are a cluttered, start with them first for safety reasons and continue working in that area until clear.
- The 1st fire safety priority is clear routes into and out of the residence.
- The 2nd priority is entrance and exits from each room.
- Caution: Extension cords should not be used for permanent wiring purposes i.e. instead of adequate electrical outlets connected to the electrical panel.
- Make sure smoke detectors are functioning.
- Begin by creating categories for possessions.
- Sort into discard, recycle / giveaway & keep piles.
- Use questions provided in "Acquiring & Discarding" Sections to decide.
- Continue until chosen area is clear.
- Imagine and plan and a more pleasing use for the cleared area.
- Plan for preventing new clutter buildup for that area by following the ideas in "Relapse Prevention".
Relapse Prevention
Evaluate current reasons for cluttering and get yourself some support, including:
- Trusted family & friends
- Knowledgeable counselor
- Knowledgeable professional organizer
- Online support as provided above
- Schedule regular times to organize & let go
- Invite visitors home
- Anticipate known stressors and your reactions
- Apply skills developed so far and search out others to build on
- Identify resources for the future
- Be gentle with yourself and keep working at it
- It's what you do every day, no matter how much, that will get you where you want to be
Remember: "The person who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones." (Dane County Elder Abuse Office – "This Full House" Dane County, USA – 2000)