If you are a person who tends toward clutter and disorganization (like I am!), rather than fight your natural tendencies, adapt and adjust to them.
Most of my clients want to get their homes or offices completely clutter-free before they move on to the next part of their lives. Some want to pursue writing careers, others want to start their own businesses and still others just want to be able to have friends stop by without feeling guilty and ashamed by the condition of their homes.
My friend and colleague, Stephanie Calahan wrote a thought-provoking article: Seriously, What Are You Waiting For? She explains that perfectionism is a form of procrastination, that she herself is a recovering perfectionist and gives tips on how she lets go of perfectionism.
Within the post is this very important message:
Start where you are.
If you are a person who tends toward clutter and disorganization (like I am!), start right
there. Rather than fight your natural tendencies, adapt and adjust to them. You simply have to think different – a little harder – than the person who is organized by nature.
For some of us, needing to declutter and get organized completely has been our reason for procrastinating on writing our book, starting a business or spending time with friends. And because we are not organized by nature, we find ourselves constantly spinning our wheels and never moving forward.
I would encourage you to stop waiting until your home or office is perfectly free of clutter before pursuing your dreams and ambitions. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be doing any decluttering, though! Just like my friend Stephanie has to let go of perfectionism daily, we need to incorporate organizing tasks as part of the fabric and routine of our daily life.
How will you adapt your tendency toward clutter and disorganization and move forward in your life? Let us know in the comments!
I’m really interested in your website, and I’m so glad I found it! Any help on being neat and organized woo be most appreciated!!
Thanks,
Bridget
I am soooo glad I found your site!!! Most of the fights my husband and I have are due to his growing up in an ocd household, where everything was always immaculate, color coordinated, etc.etc. While I grew up in a clean house, it got messy and then it would
Get cleaned. My mom wasn’t very organized, and neither am I. I do try hard though, because it’s the only thing that my husband and I really fight about, Obviously, I’m the laid back one, and he is typeA, a place for everything and everything in its place. Can you give me some tips on how to get started and some good ideas for getting started?
I appreciate your hard work and ideas!
Sincerely,
Bridget Flynn
Brenda thank you for your advice. I have been trying to declutter my home for years. It’s depressing & it’s taking a toll on my children & I. They don’t understand how hard it is on me. I look at the mess & just say I will do it another day I’m overwhelmed & it’s depressing me. I just lay in bed & waste the day away only to be discouraged by not accomplishing a thing. However, when on army drills I’m well organized or I have a fit! Ugh! I am going to buy a scanner for all my paper mess & all my photos & children’s projects I hold onto & load it on a hard drive & go from there. Thank you for your inspiration!
Hi, Cori:
I can identify with your feelings of overwhelm and defeat. Good for you picking a task to work on. Doing a little every day is better than trying to find big chunks of time to get all of it done. Celebrate your small victories. You might also check out The House Fairy (http://www.housefairy.org/). It’s a fun way to get your kids involved.
Keep me posted on how you are doing!
Brenda
Love your site, Brenda, and all the great advice.
Thanks, Robyn! So glad to help others who are where I’ve been!!
So the question to ask now (as I really fit this mold). How is my perfectionism serving me??
Yep, you got that right, Debora! We have to figure out what the “payoff” is when we let perfectionism rule…