Peace of Mind Organizing

Emotional barriers to getting organized

13 March 2009

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

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