Deciding What To Fill The Void After Clearing Out & Creating Space
We had just finished clearing out a large hallway closet. We moved out all of the items that didn’t belong (read: these things did not need to be stored in this closet in this part of the house), and re-categorized all the things that did.
The hallway was near the family room so we kept puzzles and games along with a few movies and video games.
I was pleased with the space that was created but knew this was only step 4 of 599 (so to speak). We still had more rooms to go and a huge attic to tackle (which was full).
The first time I walked through the home I thought to myself, “there is more than enough space here (5,000 sq ft to be exact) for 2 adults, 2 kids, and 1 dog”. But the house was full.
It wasn’t full on the surface, but when you started to open drawers and closet doors, it became obvious that the stuff was running over.
Part of the process of simplifying is to purge the entire house THEN go back through and create a flowchart for the space. This all sounds very simple but it takes time and it takes decision after decision after decision.
During the purge phase, I will move categories to other parts of the home in the initial attempt to create a better flow. This is possibly the most beneficial step in the journey to simplification.
As I packed up the donations into the car and finalized my notes of what we kept and what we moved, I heard my client lingering joyfully at the closet. I was pleased with all the space so I assumed she was as well.
She looked over and said, “Gosh there is so much space in here now! I wonder what I should put in here to fill it.”
RELATED: Where’s The White Space
Perhaps it was the exhaustion that is common after a session, but my point of view was entirely different than hers. It became clear when my reply was like a splash of cold water on her face.
I said, “nothing. nothing should go in there.”
You could have heard a pin drop. Bewildered that the organizer wasn’t making suggestion as to what to store and how to store it better, she quipped, “Yea right! It is so close to the family room and this is prime location! There is no way I’m leaving this empty!”
I tried to debate my point but it was clear there was no use. She was already filling the void in which we had just spent hours creating.
All the effort to build in breathing space in her home was quickly met with a rush to fill the void.
The real reason you want to get organized is freedom.
Freedom of stuff.
Freedom of guilt for not knowing what to keep and what to let go of.
Freedom of time and brain space required to process all the stuff on a daily basis.
The freedom is found when space is created.
In order for space to be created, stuff must leave the home.
It can go in the trash, go to a neighbor, or go to a donation station, but regardless of avenue, it must leave.
Purging is the non-sexy process of creating space.
It creates an empty void in the home that allows the dwelling to breathe.
RELATED: The Pen That Ran Out of Ink
The trick however is to slow the urge to fill it. Remember, you get to decide what goes in.
Maybe it is a hobby that didn’t have room to flourish before.
Maybe it is nothing.
And maybe it is time to do something else rather than time at home picking up and trying to figure out why the messes keep reappearing.
But rarely is the solution to fill it with more things just because you can.
Intentionality and perspective are gained when we each have more breathing room in our homes (and our calendars!).
What will you allow to fill the breathing space of your life?
These are products LOVE. Some of these products are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I get a commission if you click through and make a purchase. For more information, check out my disclaimer. Thank you for your support!