Be In the Moment To Be Organized: SAGE Column January 2008
Be In the Moment To Be Organized
By Miriam Ortiz y Pino, Certified Professional Organizer
With the passing of the frenzied consumerism of the holiday season, we’ve asked ourselves, “Where are we going to put this stuff now?”
Many of us are unaware of how the stuff in our lives controls us: endless piles of laundry, overflowing sinks of dirty dishes, never filed stacks of paper. But by being in the moment, we can be aware of our stuff and keep it organized.
Organizing is about controlling our stuff – but simplicity is about controlling your life by being in the moment to make purposeful decisions based on what is important to us. Simplifying your life will give you access to more of the things you want and love because they are not being squeezed out by the things you don’t. Simplifying means actually eliminating the distractions, the excess and redundant – both things and steps.
Start by evaluating what you want your life to be like, what you need to support that life, and how you spend time and money. Letting go of the “shoulds” allows us to focus on needs, not wants.
Consciously look for ways to simplify your life from small things to big things. Look for ways to systemize, eliminate a step, or stop doing a task altogether. Slowly do what it takes and keep your expectations reasonable. You may be surprised to wake up in six months to find your life is happier and less stressful.
Next time you feel overwhelmed by your stuff, ask:
- Do I use it, need it, love it?
- Why am I holding onto it?
- Would my life change if I didn’t have this?
Before you buy something new, ask:
- Who is going to use this and when?
- Where will this ‘live’?
- What contribution does it make in my life?
Other Resources:
The Simple Living Guide – Janet Luhrs
Organizing from the Inside Out – Julie Morgenstern
Simplify Your Life – Elaine St. James
7 Simple Steps to Unclutter Your Life – Donna Smallin
***********
Miriam Ortiz y Pino’s articles appear monthly in Sage Magazine, a publication of the Albuquerque Journal. Miriam is a Certified Professional Organizer (CPO) and owner of More than Organized // www.MorethanOrganized.net // She works with people who want to simplify their lives in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico.
This article may be freely distributed if this resource box remains attached.
***********
Tags: organize, simplify, stuff
