We remodeled our kitchen. So, being the professional organizer I am, I decided to collect lots of stuff that would help me organize my kitchen precisely the way I wanted it. Well, I think I overdid it! I returned what I could.
Jump to:
After the organizing was complete in the kitchen, I decided to keep the rest of the organizing stuff because a relative, who was moving into their first house at the end of the year, may need it. Does that sound familiar? I kept items just in case another person might need them.
And now, a year later, I asked them again if my family needed anything. They said no. Great! Now, I should be able to get rid of most of it, right?
So, I mentioned to my husband that I wanted to go through the piles of organizing stuff in our storage closet and pull them out. He said, "Why? There isn't that much." I chuckled and then showed him this:
Oh, I forgot to mention: The empty boxes (Affiliate Link) that I stored there as well because of small appliances (Affiliate Link) and other gifts we received last Christmas. I didn't even want to take a picture of that. Yuck! Plus, my husband got right to it and started breaking down the boxes (Affiliate Link) and adding them to the recycling bin (Affiliate Link) before I even finished pulling stuff out. He's great that way.
After I emptied all the stuff into the family room. It made me nervous looking at it all. Yes, I got nervous. I am an organizer who has seen it all for 20+ years. It took up almost the entire floor space in my room. It was scary to have to decide what needed to go and what could stay truly. What if I got rid of something that I could use in my kid's room or in my room? But I soldiered on and started.
Tip: Assign one organizing bin for smaller organizing supplies you may need. Store it in the garage (Affiliate Link) or basement for quick organizing projects in your home! But, not this big. This pile is way out of hand.
1st Organizing Issue:
The tricky part of organizing this stuff for me was letting go of picture frames. I love picture frames and am always updating and rotating them. But these were the ones I hadn't used in years. BUT may use in the future. The same old story (Affiliate Link), right?
Solution for 1st problem
To help me let go of these picture frames, I decided to frame some artwork and then donate the rest of the picture frames.
2nd Organizing Issue
My other struggle was the sentimental state/country plates. In our old kitchen, we would have an entire wall dedicated to the places we visited. But, with our new kitchen, we don't have the wall space to do that, nor do we want to.
Solution for the second problem
So, since it was Thursday when I did this, I decided to take pictures of the different items I wanted to give away and share them with those on my social media accounts using #TBT. Then, I was more willing to get rid of them.
This task took me about 1.5 hours:
- I pulled out the items.
- I went through each of the bins and the other items.
- And, DECIDED on what to do with it.
Here is the after picture I took of what I am keeping. Pretty good. I am proud of myself and my husband for helping me get rid of what we didn't use. (UPDATE: my husband decided not to keep the sorter, so that's gone! Woohoo!)
I hope this shows you that professional organizers also struggle with organizing issues when it comes to getting rid of stuff. But, by making a decision and taking action on the item, you, too, can clear out the clutter. And only keep the things you truly want.
Feel free to read our other posts that may interest you.
How I Managed 6 Weeks without my watch
How to Use Catch-All Bins in Organizing
Things to Label in a Well Organized Home
If you are looking for professional organizers to help you, check out NAPO.Net and search for people near you.
If you are looking for virtual organizing sessions, you can visit my services page, where I have three types of virtual organizing services you may be looking for to improve your life.
Please note that the links above are affiliate links through Amazon (Affiliate Link). At no additional cost to you, I will receive affiliate fees if you click through and decide to make a purchase.
Julie Bestry says
I have these conversations with clients ALL the time, explaining that we have the same inclinations to hold onto things; we're just more likely to revisit the issue and pare down. My keepers are very different from yours, but I've got them; I have trouble letting go of reading material and (to a lesser extent) music and DVDs, all because I don't trust DRM. (I like to *own* my entertainment and not have to worry about it leaving a service.) I don't collect anything cute, don't ever put anything in picture frames. I think I have one framed picture in my home that didn't come already framed!
I have zero design style, so I know better than to buy decor. (Hey, no taste is better than bad taste, right?)
You hit the key elements. We pull it out, sort through, and then make a decision, which pushes us from fear of the unknown to taking action, and that makes all the difference. Otherwise, our clients should know, we're just like them. (And I think we've all leaned on our colleagues to push us; I've called fellow POs to have them convince me to let go of books from grad school!) Thanks for sharing your experience with everyone! Now, share your husband? He sounds very helpful! 😉
Linda Samuels says
Organizers are human, too. Thank you for sharing your decision-making journey. It's incredible how many things we collect and hold for 'someday.' Setting aside time to review those things can help us let go. Sometimes, it feels easier to store them, but if you're ready to ask some good editing questions, it can be easier to release those things that have overstayed their welcome.
Kudos to you for going through the editing process and sharing your experience with us.
Diane N Quintana says
What a great story. It's true professional organizers also struggle from time to time getting rid of things for the exact same reasons our clients struggle - why? Because we are all human. I also love the before and after pictures.
Janet Barclay says
Picture frames! Until recently, we had a large box filled with empty frames, framed pictures that were no longer hanging, plaques, etc. We finally went through it realistically, removed the photos from the frames and either threw out the frames or offered them as well as other framed pictures on a local Facebook group (depending on the condition), took pictures of the plaques and threw them out, fixed and rehung a framed photo I'd taken down when it slipped out of its mat, and rehung a portrait of my father as a small child (because what else do you do with something like that). The box is finally gone - yay!
Janet Schiesl says
Us organizers go through stuff in our homes, purge, organize, donate, and try to keep things neat and in great looking display. From 2015 to now, organizing bins have become "clear" and in so many different sizes, making shelves looking even better.
Julie Bestry says
Oh, you've spoken the truth! I've learned that I need the accountability of others, POs and otherwise, when it comes to some of my own things. When I bought a new bookshelf, I pulled books from all over my house, sorted into categories, and then started purging. I've been a professional organizer for 20 years, but I was still having trouble letting go of my grad school textbooks for my first career in television management! They were too out-of-date to be of use to anyone (except as history), and that made it even harder to let go. I'm the same with paper organizing tools, because I know they can be of use. Organizer, organize thyself!
Jill Robson says
I think it helps to let people know that Organizers have struggles as well. Great post
Sabrina says
Thanks Jill. That is one of my biggest obstacles when getting new clients over the years in this industry.
Stacey Agin Murray says
I refer to my attic as a 'home for wayward organizing supplies.' It's mostly items I've picked up at garage sales. I think--'maybe a client will need them' or 'maybe it will come in handy someday.' Your post is good motivation to revisit that section of my attic!
Seana Turner says
Yes, even we organizers have our struggles!!