Emotional barriers to getting organized
Earlier this week, I wrote about unhelpful beliefs that can stop you from being able to let go of stuff. Today I want to talk about emotional barriers that can come up when you’re trying to get organized (or even just thinking about it).
These emotional barriers can block your progress or even keep you from starting. Intellectually, you know the value of getting organized. You’re sick of the clutter and the helpless feeling it can bring. You’re tired of life just being more difficult than it ought to be because you can’t find anything.
But when you contemplate starting to declutter or setting up systems, emotions like these can pop up:
- I don’t know what I’m going to find in there. What if there’s bad news? Fear
- I don’t know where to start. Overwhelm
- Why do I have to be the one who has to do this. Why doesn’t my husband [partner, child, roommate] help me? Resentment
- I don’t want the process to dredge up old emotions. Avoidance
- I might need this thing some day. Fear of regret
- I spent good money on this item, I’d better keep it. Guilt
- What if the organizing system I set up doesn’t work? Perfectionism
I encourage you to sit down and think about exactly why you want to get organized. Visualize your life as an organized person. Feel the freedom and peace of mind an uncluttered home can bring you. And write all that stuff down.
As difficult it can be to get past the emotional roadblocks that stop you from getting organized, revisiting your vision for your life and your space can help. And so can reaching out for help.
Can you think of other emotional barriers to getting organized? I’d love to hear them in the comments.
I’ve teamed up with life coach Shannon Wilkinson to offer a teleclass that will help you clear those emotional barriers while clearing up physical clutter as well. Check it out at Declutter Happy Hour.
Tagged with: chronic disorganization, clutter, decluttering, emotions, fear, obstacles
Comments
That’s a good idea, Jim. I’ll see if I can figure out how to do that on my blog and get it up there next week. Thanks for commenting!
Janine Adams Mar 13, 08:38 AM
Let’s not forget “My mom gave this to me, she’ll expect to see it here” and “That was my grandmother’s.” —Mary
MAM Mar 14, 01:26 PM
Oh, yes. Good one, Mary! Thanks for commenting.
Janine Adams Mar 14, 03:40 PM
The top two for me are sentimental attachment to the object, or the feeling that it might come in handy in the future.
Nora Brown Mar 16, 04:30 PM
It would be very interesting to have a poll to see which is the most popular
Jim Deitzel Mar 13, 08:37 AM