Remember the adage, “Waste not, want not”?
One the one hand, it makes a lot of sense. We all ought to examine our consumerism for ways to use less and use it longer.
On the other hand, what a lot of freaking pressure!
Over the years, I’ve helped hundreds of people to get organized. Of those, many were paralyzed by indecision because they wanted to make the correct decision.
Because that seemed impossible, they did nothing. I mean, whose rules should you follow? Your mother’s? Your best friend’s? The latest list from the women’s magazine?
Goodness knows, it shouldn’t be your own rules. We all know you have a shoddy track record. (Don’t make me bring up the sleepover debacle in 5th grade or the “it will all work out” fiasco of ’97.)
Now that you’ve decided never to make a decision again, you are safe from making bad decisions. Isn’t that right?
It doesn’t count that six months ago you purchased five colors of identical long-sleeve tees that were on sale at Target. You were going to try them on at home, remember? And then you did. Maybe not so flattering around the middle.
You meant to take them back. Really, you did.
Is six months ago beyond return policy guidelines?
Now they huddle in the red and white Target bag on the floor of your closet, mocking you.
You said you’d take us back. You claimed you’d lose 10 pounds. Why were you so lazy about trying us on? Why don’t you ever follow through? When will you be more responsible with your money? Don’t let your sister see this. Better not have her over till you lose weight and can wear us. Bwahhaaahaahaa.
You thought your closet was cluttered because it was small.
Do you see, my lovely, why decluttering a closet is something you avoid? It’s brutal in there.
Just think: every morning you start your day in that place. And you wonder why life feels so exhausting.
Decluttering a closet requires decision-making. I am certain you’ve heard the common sense decision-making questions of 1) Do I love it? 2) Do I use it? 3) Do I look like I walked off the set of Monty Python?
How do the rainbow collection of shirts you mistakenly bought stack up to these questions?
So, why can’t you let them go?
Consider this: you do not trust yourself or honor yourself.
Because if you did, you would have some self-compassion about the poor decisions that we all make at some point or another. You would be able to forgive yourself and move on. You could let go of the wastefulness of the money mistake instead of pretending that if you keep it, that it will stop being a mistake.
Unfortunately, the result is that you are only reminded of your mistake, day after day after day, until the tags hanging from unworn clothes become like metaphorical nooses for your self-worth.
Was that overly-dramatic?
Okay, maybe a tish.
I just want you to get this. You deserve a closet that you can trust. One that has only clothes that make you want to strut down the catwalk like Queen B herself. I have more words to say about that next time.
For now, start to tune in to how you feel when you get ready in the morning. What things do you say to yourself? What clothes feel better to wear than others? What if you could let go of the clothes that don’t fit your life right now? How could that support your life?
Be brave and build your awareness. And know that I am here to support you.
May all your pants button easily,
Kate Varness, CPO-CD, COC, MA, Green Light Organizing and Coaching
P.S. Get your copy of Kate’s book, Who Am I Now? Realign Your Home and Life on Amazon.
P.S.S. Schedule your complimentary strategy session with Kate to find out more about clearing your internal clutter. https://schedulewithKateVarness.as.me/
