A Realists Organizing Vocabulary

The real meaning of those chirpy words that can feel hard to live up to.

Words matter

Downsize

• The opposite of Upsize, which is what you’ve strived for all your life.

• What you want to do when big spaces and big bills are no longer fun.

Rightsize

• What you can enjoy, or at least manage, maintaining.

• The contentment you feel when your spaces are Goldilocks-approved.

Clutter

• Things you don’t know what to do with.

• OPS: Other People’s Stuff (or Sh*t, if you're bugged with them)

Declutter        

• Gathering or trashing OPS.

• Clearing countertops then forgetting where you stuffed things.

Sort

• Toddlers enjoy. Adults not so much.

• Categorizing things you shouldn’t have bought in the first place.

Cull

• What cowboys do with cattle. What you should be doing.

• Confronts one with the critical question (and side eye), “Do you honestly believe you need this? 

Need vs Want

• Quite confusing at times.

• Can be exactly the same.

Churn

• Moving things, papers, and OPS around without finding a good home for them.

• Your stomach when you realize how much stuff you have or they left you.

Rough sort

• First round at categorization.

• It is not, repeat, not the end of the game. But bravo!

Stage

• What to do before and during selling your house, and even if you're not selling.

• Displaying piles of churned stuff so others can admire your work. See rough sort. Still a bravo!

Recyle bins

• Virtuous guilt relief.

• Moments of frozen confusion of Is it? Isn't it? What number is it? What if I'm wrong?
  

Donate                                 

• Can get you a tax deduction.

• The antidote to the guilt you feel for buying too much.

Give away pile       

• Those bags by the front door you keep walking past. 

• Your car's trunk contents, waiting, waiting, waiting for the donation center drop off.

Time Management

• What bosses want me to teach their overworked staff.

• A euphemism for pretending you always have control over your day. Ha!

Laundry Basket

• The fastest way to clear up for company.

• The door clearance architects should plan for but don't: a Rubbermaid laundry basket width plus your knuckles.

Costco

• Weight gain from family sized portions for kid-less families.

• Not usually a bargain. Two pound jars of chili powder are for restaurants.

Container store

• Pricey inspiration.

• A false promise of products = action.

Legal documents (Wills, PoAs)

• What you know you should complete, someday.

• What you're extremely grateful for in emergencies.

Typical quotes           

• What was I thinking?

• Do you think I have ADD?

• I can’t believe I bought this!

• I’m really smart; why is this so hard? 

• Seemed like a good idea at the time.

• I wish he'd done this before he died.

• I should be able to do this myself but I just hate it.

• By the way… (I’m moving, divorcing, extremely sick).

Life happens. Stuff arrives. Choose carefully. Share liberally.

Onward.