Creating Order
You have a mission.
You look at your closet and then in it – really look – and you cannot fight the overwhelming feeling that there is just too much that you have allowed yourself to accumulate. Yes, it is a testament to how much money you have had and spent, of the good life that you are trying to craft for yourself and your family. But why is it making your head ache? You heave a sigh, barely manage to control a cringe, and start – but you do not know how and where to begin. You do not even know what your mission is.
Is it just to put things in order? Once again? Until you carelessly pull out an old shirt and the clumsy movement wreaks havoc to other perfectly laid clothes. And then another bad, harried, hurried day comes and your closet is once again in shambles.
Is it to look for things to be given away? But that dress cannot go. You wore it in one of your anniversary celebrations and he said you looked stunning in it. Cannot give those knee high boots away too, they are just way too expensive. Or that sweater, because it was a gift from your boss (what if he asks about it?). Or that blouse, because it still looks kind of pretty. Or that shirt, because you got it on sale and just have not had the opportunity to wear it. Right?
Stop.
Are you or are you not going to put your closet – and your life – in order?
One thing that might work for your household – and I have to give credit to Zen Habits for it – is a new principle: nothing new comes in until something old comes out.
You just bought 3 beautiful blouses for yourself during that weekend sale and you are happy. Guess what? You are going to scour your closet for 3 old blouses that you have to let go.
Now you think twice about buying, knowing that you have to make space for what you bought and part with something that you might regret losing. Here’s more reason to adopt “the principle”: it is methodical (one for one), it is charity-inducing (why let stuff languish in your closet when there are other people who need it more?), is eco-friendly (reduce, re-use, recycle).
(this is a good exercise for kids too – get them involved in weeding out their old stuff when you buy them new stuff – it affects them in a lot of levels and hopefully they will understand the message and carry it through adulthood)
Okay, you will falter and fail and the clothes that you refuse to let go for unknown sentimental reasons might still be there 10 years from now but here’s a tip (also from Zen Habits). Take a picture. It is the memory you want, not the burden of the thing.
Do the same for toys, gadgets, bags, and other stuff you have accumulated that are cluttering your life. Yes, they are cluttering your life, distracting you, taking your space from you, stealing your inner peace.
Because here is the promise if you imbibe “the principle” – the long term benefit – happiness.
“We are happy in proportion to the things we can do without.” – Henry David Thoreau
(Hubby de-cluttered and pulled out several of his shirts from his closet and asked the maid to choose what she likes for her husband and son. Today is her day off, on her arm is a big plastic bag, and on her face is a really big smile. Exactly like I told you – happiness.)
Article by Issa. Painting by Danvic Briones. Copyright 2011.
Website: www.YouWantToBeRich.com
Email: issa@youwanttoberich.com
P.S. To those who will sign up at the form that pops up on my site from time to time, as a thank you (first of many), I will be giving a free e-copy of Leo Babauta’s A Simple Guide to A Minimalist Life (the e-book is uncopyrighted and the author has generously allowed buyers of his e-book to do this). To those who will register for the 2011 Money Summit via this site, I will also give you Leo’s e-book, 2 free Walking Eaters, and a free financial planning session. You can register here but please email issa@youwanttoberich.com the proof of your payment and that you paid via this site. Thanks!
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