This article is reprinted by permission from NextAvenue.org. During my 15 years as a professional organizer, I worked with clients who dreaded sorting through closets overflowing with ill-fitting clothing and file cabinets groaning under the weight of outdated documents.
I knew they could sort through boxes and clear out garages on their own. Still, they sought direction and moral support when their confidence continued to shrink along with their storage space. Without someone beside them to provide guidance, they were convinced the piles would continue to grow. Getting organized is still a common concern, but there are other options besides relying on someone to work with you in person. Instead, you can schedule one-on-one online sessions with an organizing professional in a different state or country, learn streamlining strategies through YouTube videos and tune into organizing shows for inspiration.
““Every time you look at clothes that don’t fit, they’re telling you that you need to lose weight. They’re bullying you.””
— Cas Aarssen, host of HGTV’s “Hot Mess House”
You don’t have to live in a sterile environment with clear countertops and empty bookcases, but there are ways to keep meaningful and useful possessions that fit your style and how you live. By taking the time to sort through what you own, you’ll clear not only your living space but also your mind. Start with these tips. Also see: 5 ways to get your finances organized Consider why you can’t let go “Some people think they need to hold on to an item because it helps them retain a memory related to it, or they have some type of responsibility for this item to make sure that it gets good use,” says Naama Hofman, a clinical psychologist in New York. Keeping something you rarely or never use out of obligation or the belief that you “may need it someday” turns a possession into a burden. Hofman suggests asking What is the worst thing that would happen if you gave something away? or Why do you think you need this? or Why is it difficult to let it go? A so …