Begin at the Beginning

I feel like if I knew where to start, maybe I wouldn’t have this problem? It looks so easy for some. Do they have a little voice in their head saying “That’s junk, you don’t need that” or “You’re done with that, put it where it belongs”? If they do, I don’t. I’ve never had that. Organization, purging, just doesn’t come naturally to me.

Cleaning, I can do. I’m good at cleaning. But cleaning is SO EXHAUSTING if you first have to put things where they belong, or shuffle them from here to there, then vacuum. Or wade through the pile of clothes on the bathroom floor your daughter left in order to sweep and mop. Someone told me cleaning and organizing are not the same thing. Did you know that? Oh, you did. I did not. See, I don’t have that gene.

But I do think I can get it. I think I can earn it, through learning and practice. Which brings me to where, oh where, do I begin?

When I look around, there is so much. When I look around my house, I see a pile with an image of a list of to do’s and questions that need to be answered. I over think a lot. Here is a typical scenario: I have a small little pile of doodads (do people even say doodads anymore?) on my counter. A tent stake from a not so recent camping trip, a battery, and a used packing envelop. Many people would probably just throw it all away, right? Or maybe, put the tent stake away, throw the rest.

Here is my mind. Hmmm…..where is that tent? I know it’s somewhere in the garage. I just can’t find it. I don’t want to have a tent with one missing tent stake!! What if that ruins the whole experience? The tent will be lopsided, or worse, collapse!! I’ll leave it here till I find the tent, one day I’ll get to decluttering that garage. Ok, the battery. Do you throw batteries away? I think I heard that is bad, better google it. Ok, you recycle them. Where? Google that. Ok, how far away is that? I can’t do that right now. I don’t have time to do that for one battery. I’ll just leave it. The packing envelop can go in the trash. But what if I need to return that thing? Better keep that. UGH.

So back to the question. Where do I start? I’ve read many people say start in the place that causes you the most frustration. That place has changed over the last couple years. It’s been my kitchen. Then the master bath. My closet. Our Bedroom. But now, I think it’s that darn Garage. So I will start there. Not sure how long it will take but I promise to post my progress.

Meanwhile would love to hear if you think I’m nuts? Does anyone else have the same dialogue in your head while decluttering or are you a natural? Do you have that intuitive voice in your head telling you exactly what to do?

Can’t wait to hear.