Confused and stressed out? Learn problem solving.
What is the problem?
I feel overwhelmed because I just moved into my new apartment and it’s brimming with unpacked boxes and clutter.
Be more specific about what about the problem is bothering you:
I have boxes and boxes of my stuff strewn all over the place. I have very little storage space so I need to go through each and everything. And throw out what I don’t need to make room and organize what I need.
Problem Solving – Declutter the Mind:
I hate clutter. I am a firm believer in the phrase, “A cluttered desk is a cluttered mind”. Clutter makes me feel disorganized, confused and stressed out. It gets in my way, it makes it hard to find things I need, and it looks horrible.
When I look at all the boxes brimming with my stuff, and the current messy state of my apartment, it drains my energy. I feel like I am living in “transition mode”.
Can you think of solving this problem?
I want to de-clutter my place by finally putting this stuff away so that I can get on with my life.
Is there anything preventing you from doing this?
Putting it all away seems like such an insurmountable task. When I look at the amount of stuff I have to put away, I get tired before I even begin. So I keep procrastinating. Thus, I keep living in this chaos.
If so, what do you need to conquer this obstacle?
- I need more energy.
- I need more motivation.
- I am a pack rat that finds it hard to throw things away.
Problem Solving – Stressed Out About Clutter:
Describe problem solving and how you will conquer the obstacles:
1. To get more energy, I keep myself hydrated as I work by drinking water or Gatorade. Gatorade is a really good choice for getting big, physical tasks done.
It replenishes your body’s energy with electrolytes and is used by athletes for staying hydrated and energized during big games. When I feel tired, I get some fresh air and do some stretching to rejuvenate myself.
2. I will motivate myself by closing my eyes and vividly imagining my place clutter-free. I will focus on how lovely and spacious it looks. I will imagine myself doing my daily tasks more efficiently and moving about freely.
I imagine how fabulous and liberating it will feel to have conquered this challenge. I will also decide on the reward I give myself at the end of the task, perhaps, watching a movie I’ve always wanted to see in my new clutter-free living room.
3. A good rule of thumb of organization experts is to throw away anything that I have not used for over a year. I will try to be as honest as possible when I ask myself if I will ever use the item again.
Now make a plan for problem solving:
1. I will start at one end of the room. I will move through the boxes one by one, removing the contents.
2. As I pick up each item, I will decide if I will keep the item or throw it away. If it is something that is very valuable or sentimental I will put it in storage.
3. The rest of the stuff that I am not tossing or storing, I will put into category piles. For example, hair accessories, DVDs, books, etc.
4. Then I will assign each category pile to a drawer, or shelf, etc. If I don’t have enough space, I can buy organizers, bins, or containers to divide the space that I do have.
5. So everything will have a home and I always return items to the appropriate place. I will live by the motto, “A cluttered desk is a cluttered mind.”
