Self-Help Questions to Ask Yourself

(to get you started, or keep you going)

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Question About Acquiring:

• Do I have an immediate use for it?

• Do I need it? How many do I already have?

• Can I get by without it?

• Do I feel compelled to have it?

• Can I afford it comfortably?

• Do I have time to deal with it appropriately i.e. ? maintain it?

Questions About Discarding:

• Do I need it?

• Do I have a plan to use this?

• Have I used this in the last year?

• Can I get it elsewhere i.e. the library?

• Do I have enough space for it already clear and available?

• Do I love it?

How to Organize & Let Go:

• Start with one area; spend as many future work periods as needed to complete your goal for this area

• If entrances, exits or areas near heat and ignition sources for example (furnaces, stoves, portable heaters, baseboard heaters, water heaters or uncovered light bulbs), are a cluttered, start with them first for safety reasons and continue working in that area until clear.

• The 1st fire safety priority is clear routes into and out of the residence.

• The 2nd priority is entrance and exits from each room.

• Caution: Extension cords should not be used for permanent wiring purposes i.e. instead of adequate electrical outlets connected to the electrical panel.

• Make sure smoke detectors are functioning.

• Begin by creating categories for possessions.

• Sort into discard, recycle / giveaway & keep piles.

• Use questions provided in "Acquiring & Discarding" Sections to decide.

• Continue until chosen area is clear.

• Imagine and plan and a more pleasing use for the cleared area.

• Plan for preventing new clutter buildup for that area by following the ideas in "Relapse Prevention".

 

Relapse Prevention

Evaluate current reasons for cluttering and get yourself some support, including:

• Trusted family & friends

• Knowledgeable counselor

• Knowledgeable professional organizer

• Online support as provided above

• Schedule regular times to organize & let go

• Invite visitors home

• Anticipate known stressors and your reactions

• Apply skills developed so far and search out others to build on

• Identify resources for the future

• Be gentle with yourself and keep working at it

• It's what you do every day, no matter how much, that will get you where you want to be

Remember: "The person who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones." (Dane County Elder Abuse Office – "This Full House" Dane County, USA – 2000)