Behind dieting as a popular New Year’s resolution, getting organized has to be a close second.  Am I wrong here??  Especially by the time we reach midlife, it’s easy to have accumulated so much extra stuff that it can hold us back from attaining our heart’s desire.  Don’t many of us, after the holiday craziness and clutter, feel the need to get our house cleaned out and organized so we can 'accomplish something'?  

In this article, Angela Ploetz, a Certified Professional Organizer and Founder of POSH Space, helps us ring the New Year in by explaining how having a cluttered living and work space can keep you from making your life dreams come true.  And, she offers some strategies for clearing the extra stuff out.

It’s a new year and it is full of possibilities, the thoughts of life transformation and opportunities beyond our wildest dreams are glints in our starry eyes.  But did you know that the clutter in your home, life, and office can be holding you back?  That’s right.  Time and time again I have seen huge opportunities come to my clients after working together and helping them get organized and removing the excess clutter from their lives.  A number of times this has been in the form of amazing new business opportunities that my clients never expected.  For other people releasing clutter can result in weight loss, improved health, and better relationships.  The opportunities are endless.

Is your clutter holding you back from the great unknown?  You will never know until you let go and experience the results.  Here are a few reasons why releasing the old can move you forward:

1. When you release old unneeded and unwanted items or incomplete projects it feels like a weight has been lifted from your shoulders.  
2. Your attitude shifts.  You exude more confidence and feel a sense of freedom.  
3. You are more productive.  When you let go of what is not important, you have room for what really matters and with less stuff you can find what you need more easily and quickly.  
4. All of these things combined create a new energy and atmosphere in your life that creates a forward motion.  Your mind is clear, relaxed, energized and you are able to see opportunity where you had not before.

Now that you are ready to experience the difference you may want to consider why you have clutter in the first place.  For many people letting go of a lifetime’s worth of items is easier said than done.  People hold on to things for different reasons.  There are four reasons why people typically hold on to items.  The first reason is guilt.  Many people keep items because someone gave it to them and they do not want to hurt someone’s feelings.  Whatever the reason, my advice is to only keep what you love.  Walking by something everyday that you can not stand does not move you forward it only holds you back.  You need to stand up for yourself and your own happiness.  

The second reason is “I may use it someday”.  This reason can be difficult to break, but you should consider if the item is replaceable and how much it would cost to replace it if you actually did need it.  Did you know that we only use 20% of the items in our homes?  So would it be worth more to hold on to things you will most likely never need or to run to the store and purchase the specific item if you need it?  

The third reason is “I paid good money for it”.  It is difficult to admit to yourself that you wasted your hard earned money on something that you just don’t love or ever use.  What’s even more difficult is accepting this by letting go of the item.  Remember you can try to sell the item via a resale shop or e-bay, but the key is learning to recognize this pattern and to stop purchasing items you do not need.

The final reason people hold on to things resulting in too much stuff is for sentimental reasons.  This can be one of the most difficult behavioral patterns to change.  For some people every object has a tie to a specific memory or meaning.  If you see this trend in yourself, a friend or relative you need to remind the person that the object is not that memory or the specific person who gave them the item.  Taking a picture of the item can be helpful in transitioning away from keeping the actual item.  Someone who has sentimental attachments to items often has more success in finding a good home for the item.  This may be a Women’s Shelter or a Children’s Shelter.  

Is this the year of YOU?  Are you ready to break the clutter cycle and experience more from your life?  Why are you holding on to clutter?  Is it because of guilt or “I paid good money for that” or all of the above?  Consider what will motivate you to let go of the items.  Maybe it is to donate the items to a good cause, make a little money from the items or maybe it is just the thought of being able to see your floor.  Make a list of these things and use them as inspiration to help you clear out your clutter and experience your new life.

Angela Ploetz is a Certified Professional Organizer, CPO® and owner of POSH Space Professional Organizing Specialist serving the greater Austin area.  Angela is an experienced speaker and addresses women’s groups and business groups.  POSH space provides solutions for home and office organizing challenges.  Specialize in residential paper and filing systems, home offices, small business organization, new home set-ups and move-ins, and student organization.  Angela can be reached at www.theposhspace.com.