By Bonnie Hillman Shay
The new year is a great time to commit time and effort to optimizing the spaces you live (and work) in. We all feel lighter and calmer when our spaces feel under control. As a professional organizer, I see people going through challenging times (e.g., divorce, illness, loss, etc.). I find that for such people, the more under control they feel about their home environs, the more able they are to deal with the bigger issues in their lives and take care of others (this idea follows the guidelines of “Put on your own oxygen mask before helping others.”)
To that end, I encourage my clients to pretend they are moving every 5-7 years so that they have the opportunity to review their possessions and usage of space. As a result, they lighten their inventory of possessions, which frees up space and gives them a boost on how they use their space. This effort can be very rewarding and rejuvenating, besides giving them a new perspective on and appreciation of their living space.
Tips to help you through the process
If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, chances are it is something you will keep. If you answer “no” to all of these questions, chances are it is a good candidate to let go of.
Principles for deciding where to store everything
If you feel stuck in managing these efforts, a professional organizer is an ideal person to help you in the following ways:
I wish you great progress towards optimizing your living space and restoring peace and calm to your surroundings.
Bonnie Hillman Shay