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February 16 - March 9, 2022
By getting rid of the things I don’t use, don’t need, or don’t love, as well as the things that don’t work, don’t fit, or don’t suit, I free my mind—and my shelves—for what I truly value. And that’s true for most people.
Outer order offers nine promises:
OUTER ORDER SAVES TIME, MONEY, SPACE, ENERGY, AND PATIENCE.
OUTER ORDER FOSTERS PEACE WITHIN RELATIONSHIPS.
OUTER ORDER CREATES A FEELING OF SANCTUARY.
OUTER ORDER REDUCES GUILT.
OUTER ORDER ALLOWS ME TO PROJECT A MORE POSITIVE IDENTITY TO MYSELF AND TO THE WORLD.
OUTER ORDER RELIEVES ME OF THE FEAR OF PEOPLE’S JUDGMENT.
OUTER ORDER REFLECTS WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW IN MY LIFE.
OUTER ORDER CREATES A SENSE OF POSSIBILITY.
OUTER ORDER SHARPENS MY SENSE OF PURPOSEFULNESS.
We’ve achieved the right level of order when we can find what we need, feel good in our space, and don’t feel hindered by stuff.
Outer Order, Inner Calm lays out the five stages for establishing outer order. First, we make choices—what possessions to keep and what to do with them. Once we’ve cleared through our things, we create order by organizing, repairing, and attending to neglected areas. Next, we reflect on ourselves, to know ourselves—and others—so that we can take those individual insights into account. Then, once the clutter is vanquished, it’s useful to cultivate helpful habits to maintain that order, so the clutter doesn’t return. The fifth and final step is to add beauty to make our surroundings more
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It’s exhausting to make decisions; nevertheless, the crucial first step in creating outer order is to figure out what stays and what goes.
At the same time, it’s important to remember that outer order isn’t simply a matter of having less or having more; it’s a matter of wanting what we have. Make choices.
When trying to decide the fate of a possession, ask yourself:
Do I need it? Do I love it? Do I use it?
But if you don’t need it, love it, or use it, you should probably get rid of it.
Where does it belong?
Outer order isn’t a matter of having less or having more; it’s a matter of wanting what we have.
Does it currently fit? Do you actually wear it? Do you love it, or if not, is it truly useful?
Even if you love it, is it in such bad shape that you ought to get rid of it? I struggle with this. How many interchangeable items do you own? If you have five pairs of khaki pants, you’re not likely to wear your two least favorite pairs. Is it uncomfortable? Have you worn it five times or fewer? It’s the rare item that’s worth keeping, even if it’s almost never been worn.
Do you worry that it’s out of fashion? If you think it might be, it probably is.
Can it only be worn in a limited way? Like a shirt that’s stained so it can only be worn under a sweater, or shoes that almost never work. If you’re keeping an item only because it was a gift, does the giver know that you have it? If you don’t need to make a show of using it, you don’t need to keep it. Does it work with other clothes that you have, or would you need to buy new items to make use of it? Do you keep this item merely to fill a category? If you never wear something, you don’t need it. You don’t need any turtlenecks if you hate to wear turtlenecks. Does it fill a need that no longer
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Does it need to be altered before you can wear it? If so, get it altered or get rid of it. Do you describe an item of clothing by saying, “I would wear that” or “I have worn that”? These phrases suggest that you don’t actually wear it. Does your active closet hold clothes that you’re keeping for sentimental reasons or for wearing to a costume party? If so, store those items elsewhere. And be choosy; only save things that really deserve it. Is a beloved item still flattering but not in top conditi...
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Do you actually need this piece of paper or receipt? What specific use does it serve? Have you ever used it? How easy would it be to replace it if you needed it? Except for items like old letters and journals, most things can be replaced. Will it quickly become dated—like travel or shopping information? Does the internet mean that it’s no longer necessary? For instance, the instruction manuals for most appliances are now online. What’s the consequence of not having it if you do need it?
Was it once necessary but is now related to a part of your life that’s over? Could you scan it, so that you have a copy if you need it? At work, does someone else have a copy of it? Have you verified your assumptions? For instance, when you took your current position, your coworker told you, “I always keep these receipts,” so you assumed that you need to keep them, too. But maybe you don’t.
After we’ve eliminated the visible and annoying layer of clutter that lies on the surface of life, we can turn our attention to the deep clutter that weighs us down unnoticed.
Also, some things simply won’t stay organized, so it’s not even worth trying; I’ve spent hours sorting crayons and Lego pieces, only to find them all jumbled up again the next day.
When we know ourselves, we can customize our surroundings and our systems to suit ourselves—rather than try to force ourselves to follow someone else’s methods. Approached in the proper spirit, clearing clutter becomes an exercise in self-knowledge.
Just because we’re busy doesn’t mean we’re being productive. Working is one of the most dangerous forms of procrastination.
Some people agree to follow a holiday rule: Something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read.
Have a purpose for your possessions. Don’t get into the habit of keeping things for which you have no use.
CHOOSE A SIGNATURE COLOR.
One of the most pleasant aspects of clearing clutter is that once we get rid of things we don’t use, need, or love, we boost our enjoyment of what we have.
