How to get unstuck
It’s very common to get so overwhelmed by a messy, cluttered space that we get stuck! We get analysis paralysis and freeze because we don’t know what the next step is, and the whole task seems like too much. I know it happens to my clients a lot, and it sometimes happens to me, too! People who find themselves in that situation will often just give up – they will ignore the space, which means that it will stay the same or even get worse, but it still occupies a lot of mental bandwidth for them. So, what can we do to get unstuck?
If you feel so overwhelmed by a task that you are unable to start it, it’s because the first step isn’t small enough. So break the task down into smaller chunks to get a better handle on it!
Here is one simple tip I swear by: Pick a corner and start working from there. Maybe I start by picking things up off the floor so that I have room to walk around without tripping. Then I’ll pick a corner of the room and work my way clockwise until it’s done. If there are piles of boxes, I just do one box at a time.
You can also do this in small chunks of time! Obviously, when I go to a client’s home, I might be working for hours at a time. But you can set a timer and do this for 15 minutes, a little bit every day, and you will definitely see progress! The important thing is to keep the momentum going.
Another important point is that you need to define the task. Figure out what actions you need to take, or what your options might be for each item, before you even start.
Let’s say we are working through a pile pf papers. Your options might look like “shred,” “recycle,” “file with taxes,” “file with other important papers,” “keep only until a certain date,” or “act on it.” While you can’t necessarily account for everything, you’ll at least know roughly what to expect and can set yourself up accordingly with a paper bag to hold paper to be shredded, a recycling bin, and a filing system.
If the task is to unpack after a move or to sort through boxes of items that belonged to a deceased loved one, then you know you will need to open boxes and make decisions about the items inside. Keep or discard? And if you are keeping the item, where will you store it? Take it one box at a time.
Finally, get support when you need it.
This could look like having a friend or relative help you, or you can consider hiring a professional like myself or one of my colleagues. Home organizers love to help you solve those problems!
Hi there! I’m Amélie, a professional home organizer in San Antonio, Texas. I help people like you declutter their home, organize their belongings, and simplify their life. I love cleaning out a closet and removing a carload of donations from a home! My goal is to help you create a functional space that will make your life easier and more peaceful.
Interested? Check out my personalized services or book your complimentary consultation!