We all do it. There are things we have to do—things we need to do—but we just don’t want to do them. So we don’t. Instead, we find something—anything—else to focus on. We ignore the responsibility for a little while and promise ourselves we’ll get to it later.
Who actually enjoys scrubbing the kitchen floor, cleaning the bathroom, or
clearing out a closet? These aren’t glamorous tasks. They aren’t exciting. Yet
they’re part of maintaining a home that feels calm and functions well. And
still, sometimes we put them off… and off… and off.
So why?
Beyond the obvious (it’s not fun), procrastination often has something
deeper underneath it. For many people, decision-making feels hard. And when
something feels hard, we tend to avoid it. Unfortunately, avoidance doesn’t
remove the task—it simply delays it.
If we want to move forward, we have to look at what’s underneath the
procrastination.
Instead of avoiding the task, look for ways to make it easier, less
stressful, and maybe even a little enjoyable. One simple strategy is to plan
before you begin. Have a short planning session before an organizing session.
Create a criteria list—a set of questions to guide you when decluttering or
organizing. You can even create a similar list of questions to ask yourself before
bringing something new into your home.
When you’ve already done the thinking ahead of time, the actual work becomes
much lighter.
For example, when decluttering a closet, your questions might include:
·
Have I worn this within the last XXX months?
(excluding seasonal items)
·
Does it fit well?
·
Is it comfortable?
·
Is it in good condition?
·
Do I truly like it?
·
Do I feel good when I wear it?
·
If it needs mending, will I realistically mend
it?
Now, instead of standing in front of your closet staring at an item and
feeling stuck, you simply pull it out and walk through your list. No
overthinking. Just honest answers to questions you thoughtfully created for
yourself.
Will it still feel hard sometimes? Yes. But it becomes clearer—and much
quicker—when you have a framework to follow. And remember, no one is forcing
you to answer those questions. You’re simply giving yourself guidance.
Once you’ve made your plan, put it on your calendar. Appointments you make
with yourself absolutely count. Just because it’s not a work meeting doesn’t
mean it isn’t important. Creating a home that supports your life is real work.
As for those less-than-fun chores like scrubbing floors or cleaning the
bathroom—turn on some upbeat music (whatever makes you smile), stop
overthinking, and just start moving. Often we spend more time avoiding a task
than it would actually take to complete it.
And don’t forget to reward yourself. Dangle that carrot. It doesn’t have to
be big or expensive—just something small and pleasant that you look forward to
after the work is done. Maybe it’s 20 quiet minutes with a magazine, an episode
of a favorite show, a walk outside, or even an ice cream cone. The reward comes
after the effort.
You can keep procrastinating until the task disappears (because someone else
did it or you’re moving and decide it no longer matters)… or you can pause and
gently ask yourself why you’re avoiding it—and create a simple solution that
helps you move forward.
Most importantly, give yourself grace. Instead of criticizing yourself for
what you didn’t do, write down three good things you did do today.
Maybe you gave someone a compliment. Maybe you helped a neighbor. Maybe you
tackled a small chore without being asked. Or maybe you simply took your
vitamins without complaining—I’ll admit, that one counts for me too.
Progress doesn’t require perfection. It simply requires a small step—and a little kindness toward yourself along the way.
Less Clutter = Less Stress SM in your home, your business and your life
Organizational Consulting Services
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