If you can’t get organized because you have more stuff than space, then this mission is tailor-made for you.

Remember: you only need 30 minutes for the basic mission. Extended Options are below.
If you’re new, you might like to start here -> 52 Organizing Missions.

Get Organized Mission #44:
Live Within Your Home’s Boundaries

Step 1: Make Peace With Your Boundaries (10 minutes)

In this step I’m asking you to make a mental shift, so please just sit calmly for now and see what you think of this.

I’d like to suggest that you make a commitment to only keeping in your home those things that fit comfortably.

Radical I know, but potentially the key to a calmer existence for you and your family.

Here’s what it would mean. You’d only keep the quantity of:

• Clothes that fit neatly in your closet
• Books that fit neatly in your bookshelves
• Tupperware or cookware that fits neatly in your kitchen cupboards
• Stationery that fits neatly in your desk
• Furniture that fits neatly in your house
• Toys that fit neatly in your toy bins.

You get the idea.

Here’s the thing, though. The extent to which your stuff currently exceeds your space? That’s the amount of stuff you’d have to discard or donate. If you have a lot of things that don’t fit properly in your home, then that means – um, getting rid of a lot of stuff.

Now I’m not saying it’s right or fair or necessary that you should move out of your home everything that’s surplus to your space.

I’m simply saying that you’ll probably feel happier, less cluttered and more organized if you only have what your space comfortably accommodates.

So please take a few moments to look around your home and think about whether, or where, you might like to embrace this idea. When you’re done, come back for the next step.

Step 2: Flick What Doesn’t Fit (20 minutes)

Choose one area where you have more stuff than space, and where you’re willing to downsize.

Good areas to consider include:

• Drawers you can barely open/close because they’ve overfilled
• Clutter you can’t put away because there’s no room for it where it belongs
• Closets that are overstuffed with clothes or shoes
• Kitchen cabinets groaning with Tupperware, cookware or utensils
• Toys that overrun their storage bins.

Now, just start removing things you don’t love or don’t really use – and keep removing stuff until what’s left fits nicely.

You can donate or discard as appropriate later, but for now just concentrate on downsizing until your space matches your stuff.

If you have time remaining, tackle another area.

Living within your home’s boundaries is a wonderful habit and a great way to feel calm and clear. Please let me know how it feels for you.

Dos & Don’ts

• Don’t buy more storage bins to justify keeping more stuff! That’s cheating yourself.
• Do take pleasure in simplifying your space. Focus on the feelings of lightness and clarity and you’ll find it easier to part with things you don’t really use or love.

Extended Organizing Mission Options

Want to go beyond this 30-minute organizing mission?

• Do this mission as a family. Discuss step 1 together, then choose zones for each person to tackle during step 2. 

Ready, Set, Go!

Remember – move quickly, act fast, don’t overthink.

Start The 30-Minute Timer

Before You Go: Check In!

Please add a comment to say you’ve completed this week’s Get Organized Mission and you’re keeping your commitment.

And see you back here next week!

Organize Your Whole Life – With Life & Goal Organizer

Life & Goal Organizer is a 360-degree goal and life organizing system. Like a personal coach, it helps you take charge of your goals, plans and life, one step at a time.

By leading you through a system of ready-made action plans, Life & Goal Organizer provides a motivating way to organize your time, your goals and your life.

Learn about Life & Goal Organizer.

[Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/randomurl/ / CC BY 2.0]

Related posts:

1. How To Live a Simpler Life: The 3-Cubed Formula [Get Organized Mission #52:]
2. Organizing Mission #40: Conquer Your Storage Space Demons
3. Organizing Mission #39: Declutter Your Surfaces