I walked past a couple in a store recently and I overheard the woman telling the man, “If I just had one more shelf, I know I could organize everything.”

Just. One. More. Shelf.

I’m telling you right now, one more shelf will not help them organize anything. Another shelf just gets filled and then they will need another shelf.

To get organized, really truly organized, the secret is to reduce your load. The stress release that comes from reduction cannot be understated. I can try to explain it to you, but in my experience, until someone goes through the process, it’s difficult to appreciate what that release feels like. It’s literally like a switch goes off and you “get it” and then the process becomes highly motivating.

I know with zero doubt that that couple doesn’t need another shelf.

There’s an estimated number floating around the Internet that the average American home has 300,000 items in it. That’s a lot of occupied space. That’s a lot of junk. No wonder we think we need bigger and bigger homes, bigger and bigger garages, sheds, shelves! We will even rent storage space from a business to store the stuff “we don’t use very often.” Translate that to “we don’t use at all.” I wonder how many people could list the items in their storage lockers.

If you find yourself thinking along the lines of just needing more space, more storage, more shelves, take some time to reconsider before you spend that money. Maybe there’s another way to solve your problem. One that saves you money, regains you space in your home, reduces your stress, helps you breathe easier, makes you feel good.

Consider your items more carefully and ask yourself two questions

• Do I love this? (Like true joy.)
• Does this serve a purpose?

If the answer to either question is “yes.” Keep it. If the answer is “no.” Donate, give, sell, toss, recycle.

Don’t know where to start? Reach out to me, I’m happy to help.