As the weeks roll by, one thing is becoming apparent: one of the main reasons I haven’t got around to personalizing my home of six years is my difficulty making time to do anything that’s not absolutely necessary. Even with a plan to follow, I haven’t found a big enough pocket of time to tackle the next task on my list, which is to re-organize my kitchen cupboards.

I guess that’s why the Apartment Therapy cure is intended to be done over a specific period of time, with a housewarming party at the end, and why Gillingham-Ryan recommends not starting until you know you can get it done within eight consecutive weeks.

Since over the next five weeks I’ll be busy preparing for and attending the GHVA Special Evening Event (to which you are invited), Face to Face Employment & Training Fair, and the 10^th Annual POC Conference in Montreal, this is probably not the best time for me to be trying to fit something like this into my schedule.

Until that time arrives, there’s no reason I can’t deal with smaller tasks. This past weekend, I went through my dresser drawers, rearranging a few things and getting rid of those I no longer need. I also re-organized my jewellery box, which has been a disaster since my cat accidentally sent it crashing to the floor a few weeks ago. That was a real eye-opener.

I never really considered clutter to be a problem for me, because I’m naturally organized and put things away when I’m finished using them, but it’s finally sinking in that there’s more to being organized than just “a place for everything and everything in its place.” Just because you have room to keep something doesn’t mean you should keep it. Here’s an example.

In addition to the jewellery I wear frequently and some special occasion pieces, my jewellery box holds items that are strictly mementos. One of those is a heart-shaped locket that was my mother’s. I don’t remember ever seeing it when she was alive, but according to the engraving, my father gave it to her before they were married. That’s a keeper. Another is the silver charm bracelet I wore in high school, when they were all the rage. I’d probably never miss it if I was to let it go, but I enjoy looking at it from time to time. I think they’re back in style now, so maybe I’ll even start wearing it again!

That’s not the case for everything, however. I also came across my wedding band and engagement ring from my first marriage, which ended over 20 years ago. I didn’t keep them for sentimental reasons, but because I thought they might have some monetary value. One time I took the engagement ring to a second-hand jewellery dealer and he offered me so little for it that I said I’d rather just give it away. And yet I haven’t. So now both rings have been placed (in a box with some other jewellery box rejects) in my donation bag, and I feel good about it. I’ll feel even better once I get that bag out of here! From the little I know about feng shui, having those things in my home all this time may have been generating negative energy.

What kind of hidden clutter do you have? What’s holding you back from letting it go?