Are you storing other people’s clutter?
photo by Thomas Cizauskas
I’m not referring to your husband’s home office with its many-many piles of papers.
And I’m not referring to the pile of shoes your wife leaves by the front door for you to trip over every evening.
Important things to talk about (but not today).
Today, I’m talking about OTHER people’s clutter.
Things people have given you that you did not ask for.
Things people have left at your house for you to keep FOR them — whether they want them back or not.
Basically, we’re talking about...
Things people are STORING at your house.
the hand-me-downs from your mother that you didn’t ask for
the complete set of dishware or table linens your grandmother couldn’t bare to give to charity so she unloaded them on you when she moved into the retirement home
the boxes and boxes of stuffed animals, old journals, and vintage records that belong to your now 30-something child
your last roommate’s old beat-up bike, extra coffee table, or random dishes they left at your place when they moved out 3 years ago
Your home is not a storage facility for other people’s stuff.
Are you storing other people’s clutter?
If so...
Call them. (Or text them... it’s 2020.)
Tell them you are decluttering, getting organized, or making room in your home.
They have until “such-n-such date” to come retrieve their [insert item name]. If it’s important to them, they ought to come ’round to pick it up.
If not, you’re going to donate it or give it away.
So simple.
I know you think it will be awkward.
It might be.
But you can do awkward things.
Maybe it’s worth it to you to have an awkward conversation so you can have your home back.
You’re an adult.
You can do awkward.
You can also make it NOT awkward.
Ask yourself, How could I make it NOT awkward?
I’ve helped A LOT of my clients make this phone call (or helped them write that text to that old roommate to come get that deserted bike).
And they all feel so much lighter and free after doing this.
So, go...!
Reclaim your home without apology!
Think of all the space you’ll gain when you get those other people’s things out of your house.
Then, you can start to declutter and organize YOUR OWN stuff — that’s when the real fun begins!
P.S. Shortly after I moved to New York (to a 250-square-foot studio apartment), my parents did this to me. I was so mad. I was indignant about how they were “trying to make my life hard” and how they had a “huge house with a garage and a loft at their business” and “how could my 6 boxes of stuff possibly be in their way?! What the hell? They’re jerks!” haha Now, I see they were right. It was my stuff to deal with.
* * *
Are you a Creative who needs help clearing the clutter in your home, office, or mind?
When you enroll in Get Organized for Good, my personal 1-to-1 coaching program, you will learn to navigate these awkward moments and get the tools and strategies to conquer your clutter and get organized for good.
You’ll be more focused, less stressed, and find more peace and calm in your days.
I can help you become an organized person
To learn more, click here to grab a spot on my calendar—
Your FREE “Clear the Clutter” Strategy Session
This is a chance for you ask me anything and learn how I can help you get organized, get it all done, and live a happier life.