Let’s talk about why getting started is so hard
90% of my clients say “overwhelm” is what stops them from getting started. You may know what to do. You may even know how to do it. But you still aren’t doing it. Why? Because it’s overwhelming. The overwhelm you are feeling is a by-product of fear.
It always comes down to fear.
We procrastinate, come up with excuses, sabotage our success and play the victim because we are afraid of what’s on the other side of the clutter. Clutter hides unknown beginnings, unhappy pasts, negative relationships, and responsibilities.
Good news: fear will not kill you. It’s just fear. Fear is simply an emotion you have created for yourself by making up stories about what awaits you on the other side.
Fear is a liar
You won’t be successful with this decluttering, de-stressing and simplifying challenge if you choose to ignore your limiting beliefs. Limiting beliefs make you think you won’t succeed or you don’t deserve to live your best life. Limiting beliefs are just another symptom of fear. Fear lies to you to keep you small. It’s time to start living big and chipping away at that fear.
Here is your first assignment:
Grab a piece of paper, spiral notebook or journal and do a brain dump. Journal about your worries and fears surrounding your clutter. Why are you having a hard time getting started? Are you avoiding old memories, responsibilities, old versions of yourself that no longer exist? Dig deep and get honest with yourself. Once you write down your fears and start listening to the message inside the mess you’ll probably figure out that your fear was worse than the reality.
We all have something we are avoiding, and that’s OK! Give your fear a voice by writing it all down and listening to it. Then, get started.
Why it’s important to get started
Clutter and stress
We all have different comfort levels when it comes to the amount of clutter we can handle before it starts becoming a problem. This is known as your personal clutter tolerance.
When you begin to have a negative reaction to your messy surroundings, you have reached the limit of your clutter tolerance. This is the point where you start to feel stressed. That stress can make you feel agitated, frustrated, resentful and even physically constrained. Bottom line: Clutter is not good for your health.
Benefits of decluttering
There are quite a few positive affects you’ll start noticing as you face your clutter issues head-on:
- You’ll likely feel an increased sense of energy; as if a weight has been lifted off your shoulders.
- You will probably be less stressed and have less less mental exertion looking for misplaced items.
- Productivity may increase because you can find what you need when you need it.
- Your mood will elevate as the overwhelm melts away.
- One good habit leads to others – it’s been shown that people who declutter begin to make improvements in other areas of their lives such as health and relationships.
Taking action in this one aspect of your life can have tremendous impacts on other areas.
Day 1 Recap:
- Journal about your fears surrounding your clutter – what are you avoiding?
- Decide where you are going to start
- Toss or donate at least ONE item today.
You got this!