Even if you haven\u2019t read Marie Kondo\u2019s book \u201cThe Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up\u201d chances are good you\u2019ve heard about it.<\/p>\n
Following the book\u2019s suggestion to let go of anything that doesn\u2019t \u201cspark joy\u201d has become something of a national obsession.<\/p>\n
As one who specializes in helping people downsize, I absolutely agree that decluttering is a great idea.<\/p>\n
But, as is true with so many do-it-yourself ideas, doing it yourself takes more effort than you might expect.<\/p>\n
Should you be inspired to take on downsizing as a D-I-Y project, here’s what you need to know before you get started.<\/p>\n
You need to have a clear purpose.\u00a0<\/strong> Have a realistic appreciation of the energy it will take.<\/strong> Estimate the amount of time you think it will take and multiply it.<\/strong> Think about what you\u2019ll do with the stuff you\u2019re getting rid of \u2013 before you get started.<\/strong> Think about who can help you.<\/strong> BOTTOM LINE: <\/strong> Even if you haven\u2019t read Marie Kondo\u2019s book \u201cThe Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up\u201d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":402,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-401","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/onthemovenow.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/401","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/onthemovenow.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/onthemovenow.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onthemovenow.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onthemovenow.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=401"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/onthemovenow.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/401\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onthemovenow.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/402"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/onthemovenow.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=401"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onthemovenow.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=401"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onthemovenow.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=401"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nA burst of energy may get you started downsizing, but it will take more than that to get the job done. Before you begin, think about your deeper motivation. Do you want to have more space? Less distraction? Are you getting ready to move? Where? When? Why? Having a clear idea of your goal will help keep you on task when your motivation and\/or energy starts to flag.<\/p>\n
\nGoing through your stuff is not only physically demanding, it\u2019s emotionally taxing, too.\u00a0To keep on task, break the project into mini (or even micro) steps. Take on a little bit at a time, and stop before you\u2019re exhausted.<\/p>\n
\nHowever long you imagine it will take you to go through your stuff, it is guaranteed to take longer. To get an accurate idea of the time you’ll really need, estimate the amount of time you think it will take, and double it. Double it again if you\u2019re doing it alone, and you\u2019ll probably be close to the time you\u2019ll actually spend.<\/p>\n
\nBefore you take everything out of your closet (or anywhere else) think about what you’ll do with it. Taking stuff out of one place and putting it in another isn\u2019t decluttering \u2013 it\u2019s just moving piles. Go online to see what organizations will be available to take your stuff, and schedule a pick up before you get started. That way, you won\u2019t be left \u201cholding the bag\u201d.<\/p>\n
\nMost people find it emotionally draining to sort and toss. So, before you get started, find someone who can help you through the process. It doesn\u2019t have to be a professional \u2013 although that will definitely make it easier. Having someone there, even if it\u2019s just to ask \u201cWhat do you want to do with this?\u201d will help you stay focused and keep the process moving.<\/p>\n
\nBefore you jump into downsizing and\/or decluttering, make sure you know what you\u2019re getting into. Plan your time, know what you\u2019re going to do with your stuff. And get help! I’m\u00a0 happy to be there for you<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"