3 Ways Organizing Your Closet is like Therapy and How it can Help You Grow Emotionally
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Copy by: Britnee Tanner
Creative Direction by: Catie Menke
I had just started my organization company when I was asked by a lovely college-age client to help her edit down her wardrobe. She was preparing to graduate and wanted to reduce her casual everyday attire and create space for more professional clothing.
We were 20 minutes into the session when she was eyeing the piles we were working through. I could see some anxiety building and we both knew it would be easier said than done.
Keep in mind that this client was not remotely a hoarder. She didn’t even have what some would call an extensive collection of clothing. Instead she was being intentional with her clothes and she wanted my help to guide her - my favorite kind of task!
The tricky thing was that emotions played a role in our editing session.
And turns out she’s not the only one who has or will experience all the feels when purging.
Organization reveals attachments
Attachments can show you your anxieties. When you push yourself to get rid of clothing that you once loved but no longer need, anxious feelings can (and often do) arise. In this situation, I encourage you to ask yourself what you want to get out of your organization session. Keep the end goal in mind! If you know you have too many pieces of clothing (or shoes or kids toys, etc.) then remind yourself that discarding and donating is a must. You can do hard things!
Purging and organizing can remind you of past memories
Getting rid of things can make you feel a sense of sadness. To this I say, don’t dwell on the loss of something and instead think about who else might find that item useful. Think about it as rehoming something instead of totally eliminating it forever. Perspective shifts can be game changers for the mind.
Remember that stuff doesn’t love you back
Next time you’re wanting to edit down an area in your home and are finding it to be difficult, remember that the thing that’s hard to get rid of doesn’t love you back. I’m not saying you need to get rid of everything. Please know that! What I am saying is don’t let extreme attachment be the reason that you keep all the things from all the years.
So often, in order to grow, we have to push ourselves to uncomfortable limits and shaping our homes through organization is no different. No one ever said getting rid of things was easy but it can be done. And based on my experience, that's when the blossoming comes in!
Remember to keep your end goal in mind. If you want to make a change in your space, then you might need to get a little uncomfortable. Also remember that organization does not mean you need to become an extreme minimalist and never own anything again - it could just mean you discard some excess and focus on creating organizational systems that work for you.
You don’t have to get rid of all the things. Just some of the things. And you can do it and you’ll enjoy your closet or your garage or shed all the more once you’ve successfully edited it.
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