Outer Order, Inner Calm: Declutter and Organize to Make More Room for Happiness

by Gretchen Rubin

This thing is so useful that someday I’ll find a way to use it. I could get this thing fixed or altered. Life’s too short to spend my time dealing with this thing. This thing was a gift, so I need to keep it out of respect for the giver. This thing hasn’t been used up yet. Just wait, someday this thing will be a collector’s item! I never had this thing as a child, so I want to have it as an adult. The more things I keep, the more I will leave my family one day. This thing reminds me of someone I love. If I deal with this thing now—if I make my bed or wash this dish—I’ll just have to deal with it all over again tomorrow. I’m more creative with all these things around me. I can’t deal with this thing until everyone around me agrees about what we should do with it. Someday, I might need this thing. I don’t have the space to put away this thing properly. When I have time, I could do a cool project with this thing. Going through my things stirs up my emotions and I can’t handle that right now. Everyone I know has this thing, so I should have one, too. I don’t have the time or the energy to decide what to do with this thing. If I get rid of this thing, and other things, my home or office will feel sterile and stripped. I’ve had this thing for so long; I can’t get rid of it now. I forgot about that thing! I didn’t even realize it was there. This thing will feel lonely or abandoned if I get rid of it. I’ll definitely use this thing as soon as I change my life in a major way. I’ll ...