Some time last year, I started the decluttering process in my home. To be completely transparent, I’m not quite sure what happened that made me say it was time.
I started the slow process of one area at a time.
I went to friends’ homes and wondered how they managed to have such a state of organization every time I was there, and I started paying attention.
As I shared in a recent faith blog: Load the Dishwasher I observed that as my friend was cooking, she would have an empty dishwasher and she would rinse the dish and instantly put it in and then ran it and the end of the night – waking up to clean dishes. I stopped at another friend, and she made us breakfast, and as soon as she was done with the ingredients, she tucked them back in the cupboard, leaving her counter clutter free.
As someone who considers myself “organized in my work life” – I wondered how I couldn’t get to that level of organized in my home life.
I had spent years around money experts and I had become very financially organized because I lived it daily, but somehow argued that I didn’t have time to be as organized in my home life.
I know the reverse is true for many people. Their homes are beautifully organized, but they don’t believe they can become financially organized. And I want to tell you that it is possible to become financially organized.
1) Start with assessing where you are. What are you holding on to that you need to either let go or use differently. What are the things you own (assets)? What are the things you owe (liabilities). How much to each company and what interest rates?
2) Create a plan on how to simplify. Is it too much that you cannot see the big picture? Break it down into bite sized pieces. The process won’t be done overnight – but you will start to see progress.
3) Writing things down will prove very effective. How will I tackle each item?
4) Are there things you don’t understand? Seek out someone with more expertise than you. Do your research before you hire them and understand how they will be compensated.
5) You don’t need to go at it alone. You just need to ensure you have the right team. Seeing how my friends did their organization, while simple to them, has ended up being life changing for me.
As you start to address areas of your financial life, that you once thought you weren’t capable of, you will have more peace around your money. It’s not that it’s impossible to understand – it may be that you were never taught how to do it this way – and in a way that will be effective for you to follow. And, above all, give yourself grace as you are on the journey.
Just as decluttering my home has led to outcomes, I never thought possible (impromptu meals with friends with no deep cleaning necessary), I know having mental clarity around your finances will give you much more freedom to enjoy things in life that are truly worthwhile. The surprising thing is, it will also extend to other areas of your life.
Will you join me in saving time, money and mental energy?