Why Purge?
Resources
The Minimalist Home, Joshua Becker
Simplicity Parenting, Kim John Payne and Lisa M. Ross
We’ve all seen the makeover shows on TV; whether they take 24 hours, 1 week, or several months the ending is always the same - a beautiful home and a happy family. The real question is always Does it stay this way? I think one of the reasons people get overwhelmed when even thinking about organizing is because we’ve all been through the cycle of purge but then 6 months later it looks worse than before.
I think this failure is two-fold: 1. Failure to set up systems that set us up for success long term and 2. Failure to let the benefits of purging extend beyond just having more space.
As a professional organizer, my goal is not simply to help you get rid of unneeded items or to help your space look beautiful. My goal is to help you create space in your life to do the most important work. For many of us, our first priority is our family, but I would venture to say only slightly less important is the work you are called to do beyond your family. I firmly believe that each person has a unique purpose in life. It may be big or it may be seemingly small, but your purpose will require time, effort, and an ability to recognize that purpose. When your home is decluttered your mind automatically has more space for deep thinking and dreaming. I know this sounds a little rah rah, but think about it. We all know the feeling of a job well done - the momentary satisfaction of knowing you did something and you did it well. Having an organized home (or business) means having a little dopamine hit every day. Having systems in place so your family can help your home stay organized means less fighting, less frustration, less feeling like you have to nag to get anything done. With an organized home, your mental space expands, your relationships deepen, and you have more capacity to focus on big goals and that is worth its weight in gold.
If you’re looking for a little extra motivation to get organized and decluttered I think these are pretty good reasons to get started.
For more reading on the psychological benefits of a decluttered and organized home I recommend The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker and Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne and Lisa M. Ross.