Whose House Is It Anyway?

I was with a client and she made the statement: "I didn't want to register for china when I got married, but family members told me I had to...I registered for china...I don't use it...here it sits..."  And there it was, under the shelf in a pantry, taking up space, still in the box. It was china but what it REALLY is, is someone else's expectation taking up real estate in her home.

Do you have something in a box, on a shelf, or out in the open that stares at you with guilty eyes every time you see it? You think: "I don't want you here!" But it speaks back softly and slyly,  "But Aunt Cindy/Grandma/Cousin James wants me here and until you can tell them you don't want me here then let me be, collecting dust, being ugly/unused/not working!" But I ask you - Whose house is it anyway?  Sometimes and most times than not, the person that you think will be so crushed by getting rid of that unwanted item probably doesn't even remember giving it to you, didn't want it in their house and thought they could pawn it off on you, or won't really care if you donate it/recycle it/throw it away.

Many times people who hire a Professional Organizer seek permission.  They know the answer to that burning question of what they should do with the unwanted box of china.  So I tell you what, next time you tell the box of china (or whatever it is for you) that you are serving it an eviction notice and if it gives you a sly remark back, tell it: "My Professional Organizer said SCRAM! I'm only allowed to keep what is beautiful/useful/and functional in my home and since you don't fit that description Aunt Cindy/Grandma/Cousin James can pay me rent to keep you here, otherwise ciao, baby!" Now didn't that feel good? Oh, now look! You have room in your home for something you really love.  You're welcome. ;)