Out of Chaos an organizing newsletter
The Power of One
A few years ago in late June, I realized I was down to my last hair elastic. For those of you who know me, you know my hair is almost always up in a ponytail of some sort and hair elastics are a pretty integral part of my “toilette.” So that day I made a mental note to get a package next time I was at Target or Rite Aid. In the meantime, I knew that I’d better not loose that one.
A funny thing happens when you just have one of something, whether it is a child or a hair elastic or a water bottle; you are pretty aware of where it is at all times. That summer somehow slipped away without me setting foot in Target and that elastic was pretty much always in my hair or on my wrist or, occasionally, on the bathroom doorknob, but wherever it was, I knew where to find it.
Many people claim they have multiples of things like reading glasses, travel mugs or business cards for doctors because they loose them. In fact, I believe they lose things because their homes are full of duplicates.
Similarly, I have clients who find a piece of clothing they love and so they buy multiples. Then styles change and the clothes are still in excellent condition, but they aren’t being worn. Personally, I like to have one or two pairs of jeans and wear them until they rip, or are too disreputable to be seen in.
One side effect of organizing is that you are forced to confront your duplication. Sometimes it isn’t until I arrive and start putting like items together that people realize they have three vegetable peelers, seven nail clippers, 11 white T-shirts or dozens of hair elastics.
So here is your challenge: Where is there duplication in your home? What duplicates can you let go of? What can you live with one of? One hoodie? One commuter cup? One beach towel?
Post your purged items at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-perfect-daughter-chaos-control/249117641808781.
Happy shedding!