Life’s Changes Can Lead To Life’s Clutter

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Life’s Changes Can Lead To Life’s Clutter

9 November 2009 3 Comments

Have changes to your life resulted in clutter and disorganization in your home?

No matter how much we may try to avoid it, life has a tendency to throw us a curve ball every once in a while. Negative life changes, such as a divorce, a serious illness, job loss, or the death of a loved one can dramatically affect your daily life in many ways. Dealing with these types of changes can also negatively affect your clutter and disorganization issues.

Perhaps you never really thought about your clutter as more than just something you need to take care of, but it can be so much more than that. When a negative life change occurs, it can cause overwhelming clutter and disorganization in your household. So, how do you move on? Where and how do you start to deal with the problem? Here are some ways to help you get through it:

1. Acknowledge it.
Let yourself acknowledge the change or the hurt, even if it means tears – and it often does. Say it out loud. Write it down. If you need to, give yourself permission to be a little angry that you lost some time in your life and added some clutter to your household because of this life change. The important thing is to face the issue straight on. Only then can you face your clutter and disorganization head on, too.

2. Understand it.
What is it that you are doing to cause this buildup of clutter in your home? Are you keeping things you don’t need but feel emotionally tied to? Are you buying things to fill a hole in your heart? Think about your behavior and whether it’s helping or hurting you. Deal with the worst stuff first and know that you are not a failure for having clutter. Instead of feeling guilty for your clutter, send a different message to your brain: You WERE a person who HAD clutter but now you are working toward becoming an ORGANIZED and RELIABLE person.

3. Embrace it.
You are who you are. You may not always be the best homemaker or have the most organized home in the neighborhood, but moving past the disorganization of where you are now is very important. Your family will appreciate your efforts, and if they don’t say anything, ask them for feedback. If you are passionate about anything, you will have time to pursue it and that’s the best legacy you can leave.

Dealing with negative life changes is difficult, but with time, effort and persistence, you can move on and begin to start anew. Take your time, be kind to yourself in the process, and find someone who will support you along the way.

Simply yours,

Debbie

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3 Comments »

Ilene Drexler of The Organizing Wiz said:

Re: The “Understand It” section……I think you left out one common scenario. A person could have been very organized until hit with a catastrophic illness. Then disorganization strikes because they are not physically able to deal with the normal daily activities. Incoming paper alone can be a source of huge clutter, if it is building up over time during a hospitalization or long treatment that is debilitating.

# 9 November 2009 at 10:23 am

Debbie Jordan Kravitz (author) said:

Very good point, Illene! When the life change that is taking place is a physical illness or injury, clutter can quickly pile up. Even if you have a spouse or loved one to help care for you during your down time, there are often so many more critical issues that need their attention. Keeping up with household organization often gets pushed down on the list of priorities. If an illness is long-term, hiring a Professional Organizer is a good way to help get a handle of the issue before it causes financial issues or further problems with your health and well-being.

Thanks for your thoughts!

# 9 November 2009 at 11:38 am