Making Room for What Happens Once
Coffee cup resting on an open monthly planner with handwritten goals and space for commitments.
Have you ever looked at your calendar and realized that even the things you love can leave you needing a little breathing room? I had that moment this weekend. And it reminded me of something I see often in my work: sometimes, in order to declutter our homes, we first have to declutter our calendars.
A Little Space in a Full Day
There are two activities that fall on the same day every month, and I love them both. They’re special to me. They’re things I look forward to.
But this month, some things came up with our families. People needed help, and I wanted to be there. These were moments I would only have one opportunity to be part of.
So I sent my regrets and stepped away from both activities for the day.
It was a hard decision. When something brings you joy, choosing to miss it takes some thought. What helped me was remembering that I get to do these things every month. I’m grateful for that. Another opportunity was already coming.
The family moments in front of me needed room today.
How Often Is a Helpful Question
When I help clients organize their homes, we often talk about frequency.
How often do you use this item? How often does this activity happen? When will you have another opportunity to use it or participate?
Those questions help us make thoughtful decisions about both time and space.
Something you reach for every morning deserves an easy-to-reach place. Seasonal decorations can have a home farther from your everyday routines. A treasured keepsake may belong in carefully chosen storage. And something you rarely use may be ready to go to someone who will enjoy it.
Frequency gives us useful information, but it’s only part of the conversation. We also consider what something means to you and how it supports your life. An item used once a year can still be worth keeping. A moment that happens only once can be worth rearranging a day.
Give Yourself Room to Choose
If you’ve been wanting time to organize, take a gentle look at your calendar. Is there one recurring commitment you could pause to make room for the home you want to create?
You can enjoy an activity and still miss it occasionally. You can appreciate something you own and decide it belongs in storage instead of on your kitchen counter.
Try asking yourself, “What needs my time, my space, or my attention right now?”
Start there. Perhaps it’s clearing one drawer so your mornings feel easier. Perhaps it’s setting aside an afternoon to sort a closet. Or perhaps, as it was for me this weekend, it’s making yourself available to people you love.
Organizing gives us room to respond to life with a little more ease. This weekend, clearing my calendar made space for moments I wanted to be present for. Your next small organizing decision can create that same breathing room in your home and your day. For more gentle encouragement and practical organizing tips, follow Pinky Jackson Organizing online. We can keep making progress together.
Pinky Jackson is a Decluttering Specialist and Home Organizing Expert. If you need expert organizing help, don't hesitate to reach out. Pinky and her team would love to help you. Onsite Organizing services are available in the Louisville, KY area and Virtual Organizing services are offered for clients in other locations and for those who prefer to work online. Visit pinkyjackson.com to learn about our services and schedule a free assessment.
Photo: Estée Janssens @esteejanssens
