In this post, we are joined by Lisa Geraci Rigoni, bestselling author of 17 Spatulas and the Man Who Fried an Egg, and founder of The Organizing Mentors, a home organization and move management company
Are you delaying packing for your big move because the thought of sorting through your belongings feels too overwhelming? You’re not alone, and I have some insight as to why. Does any of this ring true for you?
Have you ever wondered why it’s so difficult to sort through your things and reduce the clutter in your home? Often, it has little to do with your ability or work ethic, and you are not lazy. Many people hold on to items because they connect to memories, identity, and comfort, and research such as a 2021 study on clutter and wellbeing shows that clutter is closely tied to how we feel about our homes and our lives.
If you are thinking about having to sort through a lifetime of possessions to downsize, many of us would rather sit on the couch and binge-watch for a few hours.
We tell ourselves we will get to it SOMEDAY. Someday, I’ll go through it; Someday, I’ll give it to the kids; Someday, it will be worth something; Someday, I will fit into it again! We’re busy, life is happening, and the thought of making time to sort, purge, donate, and pack what we want to take with us is just not fun – and we would rather have fun, right? In the meantime, there it all sits.
Use the LITL system to declutter before your move
However, amidst this chaos, lies a practical solution: The LITL System. This systematic approach to decluttering not only simplifies the process but also empowers people to make decisive choices, reclaiming control over their space and their lives. Here is a condensed version of The LITL System of organizing and making decisions in your life to transform clutter into clarity.
L – Let it go
What are the things in your space that you know you don’t want?
I – Intentional
These are the items you may have to ask some questions about. Do you still want it? Is it useful? Do you want to pay to move it again? Does it have positive memories for you?
T – Transform
Once you complete those first two steps, your space will be transformed, and you will be transformed and closer to making that move.
L – Love it and live it
You will love that you completed your tasks, made the decisions, and are ready to live with less in your space.
So, make SOMEDAY today or tomorrow – schedule it. You can start with as LITL as five dedicated minutes a day tackling things that have been hanging around for a long time. The more you do, the more confidence you’ll gain!
About the author
Lisa Geraci Rigoni is the owner and CDO (Chief Declutter Officer) of The Organizing Mentors, a company that focuses on home organization and move management. She is a certified Senior & Specialty Move Manager through the National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers, a leading organization for professionals who help older adults and families downsize, declutter, and relocate. In Lisa’s #1 bestselling book, 17 Spatulas and the Man Who Fried an Egg, she shows readers how to reclaim their space mentally and physically so that letting go feels less stressful and more insightful; you can see a detailed book overview of 17 Spatulas and the Man Who Fried an Egg for more background.
If you need a LITL push, you can book a free consultation with Lisa and her team to tackle the clutter in your home and your mind. For more information and to explore tools based on the LITL System, visit The Organizing Mentors L.I.T.L. System page, where they explain each step and invite you to schedule help when you are ready.