A bit more about me...
Our stuff isn’t just stuff. It’s a collection of memories, a representation of our individual style, and even useful items that help make our lives easier. However, we live in an age where we are constantly being sold to, and our attention is easily taken with the next shiny new thing. I get it, I love a well-made item that is useful AND beautifully designed. BUT it’s so easy to purchase things that often we end up buying more than we need, or something we thought we needed but never actually use. Then we hold onto these items for dear life since we have already spent the money, and we might need it in the future. This is commonly known as the sunk cost fallacy, and it tends to keep us invested in things that are no longer serving us. The Sunk Cost Fallacy is “a cognitive bias where someone continues to invest time, money, or effort into something that is no longer beneficial simply because they have already invested a significant amount in it.” (1) For example, staying in a long relationship that isn’t working anymore, just because you have been together for a long time. Or reading a purchased book all the way through even though you can’t stand the dialogue and find it utterly boring. This happens with our personal belongings as well. We think “I bought this jacket for $200 on sale last year and even though I’ve never worn it because its super uncomfortable, I already spent hard earned money on it, so I should keep it just in case.” Before you know it, many impulse buys are collecting dust and your running out of room to store everything. Surfaces are harder to clean because there are so many items to move around, just to wipe the dust away. Clean laundry just stays in a pile while you sift through it to find what you need while also trying to wear a new outfit each day. Boxes of memorabilia fill your closets, going unused and unseen, taking up valuable space in your life. Many people believe they are fine living this way, taking comfort in the sheer amount of items they have until they start running out of room. At this point, one starts to ask, what purpose are my possessions serving if they aren’t on display to enjoy, or easily assessable for daily use? This is where I come in.
I believe that a home should be a place where you feel comfortable, safe and can easily relax. The more possessions we have, the more there is to do. You know, Mo’ money, mo’ problems. More stuff, more chores, more mental space is being occupied by unnecessary clutter. My ultimate goal is to possess only what I love and what I need, and as for the rest, do what Marie Kondo says, and thank the item for their service, and let it go. This is really hard at first, especially when you have a lot of items to go through. My home doesn’t look like a modern art museum, but I keep my goal in mind and have basic guidelines to follow when determining whether to buy or keep an item. It doesn’t have to happen all at once. In my experience, it only gets easier to let things go after you start doing it.
Your goal and guidelines won’t be the exact same as mine, but the main focus we share is clearing out things we no longer need, while leaving ample room for things we need and love. The sense of freedom that follows an organizing session is accompanied by the feeling of satisfaction, knowing what you have and where it is, right when you need it. Plus, having extra space is like gaining extra breathing room. Testing has shown that having visual clutter has a direct negative effect on our cognitive abilities. All the extra stimuli needed to process everything contributes to depression, anxiety, stress, and lack of productivity. (2) This even bleeds into our health, influencing our food choices, negatively affecting our quality of sleep, and even negatively affecting our relationships outside the home.
When you first feel called to start organizing, it can feel so daunting. There are so many emotions involved along with our sense of who we are and what our place is on this earth. I’m here to encourage you to roll up your sleeves and dive in. I will offer ways to emotionally release your long-held beliefs about your relationship with stuff while encouraging you to let go of what no longer serves you. Think of me as your friendly guide who is there to inspire you and make the process easier with tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way. Then imagine your home with clear countertops, drawers where you know exactly what’s in them and systems to help you keep it that way. If you’re ready for a change and want to simplify your life, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I offer mini sessions to dip your toes in along with full blown deep dives that will change your life.
1. https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/the-sunk-cost-fallacy