A GON Reader Asked:

Hello, Maria,

My question is...approximately, only an estimate...how quickly would it be possible, if working, conscientiously, nearly full time at this project, to straighten out a 1500 square foot home, including a two-car garage, with boxes stacked all along the sides of the vehicles, plus a storage unit on the property that is packed with boxes and every closet and drawer in the house packed with junk? I do keep my kitchen and bathroom very clean, though lots of stuff to dispose of.

I have been so saddened and overwhelmed at the amount of paper and general belongings clutter that was never really dealt with before we moved from a much larger home into a small place. Then my husband died, suddenly, last year, such that a very ample income has been cut to only Social Security. I have very little in savings and the house, which I now own that was my parents' home, in a great location, needs a lot of repairs. I am 77 yrs old, luckily in good health, but have been out of the workforce for 25 plus years. I need to go back to work, somehow, but feel trapped until I can declutter the house and my life.

A friend introduced me to your program, and it seems like it may be the first time something can work for me, as I don't have the money to hire a crew to come in and get me organized. Also, I'm the only one can really make decisions about paperwork, most of which is junk mail that piled up while I was caring for several members of our family for years.

Thank you so much. This is the first time I have begun to feel hopeful.

Would really appreciate your response.

Blessings and gratitude,

--Andrea

Maria Gracia Responded:

Hi Andrea,

First and foremost, my deepest condolences on the loss of your husband. May you find strength in all the happy memories you both shared.

I'm also so sorry to hear about your financial struggles. Life can be more than challenging sometimes.

I'd like to start by mentioning this very important point. Your home may be packed with clutter, but it's very important not to allow your clutter to control you. You said, 'I feel trapped until I can declutter the house.' Clutter has a nasty habit of making you feel that way. That being said, while I certainly do recommend you tackle that clutter a little bit at a time, it sounds like your current income situation is a more pressing matter. Whether you decide to go back into the workforce, cut expenses, sell some assets, etc., that seems to be the bigger priority right now.

I recommend you set aside 30 minutes a day to declutter, and give more dedicated time and focus to your financial challenges. Perhaps a relative or friend can help you figure out the financial part.

As far as the organizing part, your question about how quickly you'd be able to finish your project is not an easy one to estimate. There are so many factors involved...your energy levels, how ruthless/decisive you are about getting rid of stuff you don't need, whether you'll be doing it all on your own or if you have a son/daughter/friend who can help, etc.

If you're throwing most of it out, maybe two or three dedicated weekends?

BUT REALLY, in my professional opinion and years of experience, I recommend you don't try to do this all in one day or one weekend, or even worry about the amount of time needed for the project to be complete. Instead, focus on tiny decluttering goals that will result in you being a little more organized today, than you were yesterday.

Go about your life, focus on your important goals, and declutter for 30 minutes a day, consistently without fail. Be sure, as you're decluttering, that you're not just moving things around. Each day, fill as many boxes or bags as you can within a half hour, and then get those items out of your home...either to a donation center, at the curb for trash pick up, or a little of both.

Focus on ONE area at a time, perhaps ONE shelf in the storage area, or one box in your garage, etc. In doing so, as you begin to see empty space, you'll begin to feel more accomplished.

One other thought, based on your note, is that the paperwork that you 'have to make decisions on' is something that can really bog down the progress of this project. Declutter the 'no brainer' paper first...the paper that you know there is pretty much no reason to keep, like the junk mail. The rule of thumb after that...only keep it if you need it for identification (birth certificates, passports, etc.), for financial identification or tax purposes (proof of purchases/expenses), or as memorabilia (one of the categories you have to be very discerning about.)

Hope this gives you a bit of a head start. Remember, 30 minutes a day for decluttering. Focus on one area at a time. And don't allow the scope of this decluttering project to stop you from living a happy, productive life day to day. Organizing is not a one-day-project. It's a continuous journey.

Hugs to you!

For super quick details on how you can say goodbye to clutter, visit:

getorganizednow.com/rd-clutter.html

All people have clutter to some degree. You may have a little. You may have a ton. MOST people are somewhere right in the middle.

For anyone who has clutter, have no doubt in your mind that CLUTTER GROWS. Small clutter challenges soon turn into large clutter issues.

Plus, clutter is sneaky...it doesn't only show up in the pile of shoes you may have in your closet, the overload of toys in the toy room, the boxes of stuff in the basement, or the stuffed-to-the-max drawers and closets in your home. Clutter can actually invade your life in FOUR forms...

1. Physical Clutter
2. Paper Clutter
3. Digital Clutter
4. Emotional Clutter

Once clutter is here, it begins to wreak all sorts of havoc...

There is only one way to get rid of clutter...and that is by using a proven- effective clutter-removing system. Only then will you be able to face clutter head-on and have the clutter-free life you deserve.

Want to say goodbye to your clutter? I have just the thing you need for a glorious, clutter-free life. For more details, visit:

getorganizednow.com/rd-clutter.html

P.S. END-OF-SUMMER SPECIAL! When you claim your very own copy of GOODBYE CLUTTER... before FRIDAY, August 27...you'll also get $144 in COMPLIMENTARY BONUSES (ALL written by me!)

___ 1. Do today's task on my August Monthly Organizing Checklist. The August 26 TO DO focuses on paper clutter. Visit GetOrganizedNow.com to access my August Monthly Organizing Checklist.

___ 2. Declutter for 30 minutes. Set a timer for 30 minutes. Fill as many bags or boxes as you can with items you don't need. Deliver to your donation center or trash. You'll feel so much lighter!

___ 3. Simplify washing clothes. Are you reluctant to have someone else do the laundry because you're concerned they're going to choose the wrong setting and your lovely whites are all going to end up pink? Visit GetOrganizedNow.com to access my Go Green article on this topic.

'You just gotta keep going and fighting for everything, and one day you'll get to where you want.' (Naomi Osaka)

I'd love to hear from you.

I LOVE GON reader mail! Whether it's a comments, suggestions, or just a note to say hello, REPLY to this email with a short note.

And remember...there's no better time to get organized, than to Get Organized Now!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!
getorganizednow.com

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