As Americans, we are voracious consumers, and we tend to have a lot of wonderful “things”. Unfortunately, these things have a tendency to multiply and take over space. Attics overflow, basements become cluttered, and too often garages fill up with rakes, tools, and random stuff while cars remain outside covered in snow. Clothes somehow multiply like rabbits, pushing out of drawers and closets making it difficult to find our favorites. Have you ever experienced this? You know you bought a backup Dijon mustard, but the pantry is so crowded that you just can’t find it, so you buy another one in frustration. You need to wrap a birthday present. Where is the tape? Christmas was just two months ago and there were five tape dispensers floating around somewhere but they have gone undercover.

At one time or another, most of us have experienced the frustration of drowning in clutter. Some people deal with it by moving frequently, but we have lived in our house for almost 40 years, and we have a lot of nice things….too many of them. Recently, I decided to do something about it. After years of reading countless articles on organizing and de-cluttering, I decided I was unlikely to give up a Saturday afternoon to deal with my attic unless I made a date with someone to tackle it. I decided to hire a professional organizer, and have become wise in the ways of organizing. Here’s what I’ve learned in the process:

First, you can organize all you want, but owning fewer things is the best path to a peaceful, uncluttered life. Consider that everything tangible you own requires care and feeding in some form or fashion. Does everything you own deserve it? Maybe not. Second, saving things for your children usually becomes an overbroad mission that often goes unrewarded. Saving a few carefully selected items is better than hanging onto a household of grandparent furniture in a storage unit for $350 a month. Too often, the grandchildren don’t have the heart to be honest about not really wanting the furniture, doilies, and unmatched flatware. Rather than wait for your children to reach that elusive “someday”, it is better to let unused things go where they will be immediately used. Habitat for Humanity, a resale shop, or a thrift store are good choices. Third, unused stuff tends to age along with us. Why set yourself up for an unpleasant reminder that things are not as they used to be?

Weeding through the clutter is hard. Sorting into categories of “like kind” items helps the process. Moving forward at a strong pace while setting aside sentimental items for a separate sit down also helps. However, it’s important to be tough. It is not necessary to save every scribble drawing your child ever created. Once things are weeded, organizing becomes more fun. This is where the professional is filled with great tips about how to organize your life and how to keep it that way. To that end, we have invited Kim Corey, professional organizer, to share best practices on organizing and managing the tangibles in your life. Please join us for a fun filled presentation on “Cleaning House!” There will be ample opportunity to mix and mingle and enjoy delicious refreshments before the presentation. There is limited seating for this event, so please email or call Karen Mitchell to claim a seat for you and if you wish, for a friend too! karenmitchell@deighan.com ; 207-990-1117. Let’s get ready for Spring!

Where: University of Maine Museum of Art, 40 Harlow Street, Bangor, ME 04401
When: April 20, from 5-7pm

Jean M. Deighan