Five reasons getting organized can be a challenge

This article is reprinted from Wine Country Real Estate, a special advertising section of The Press Democrat.

'I'm smart. I'm capable. So why is it so hard for me to get organized?' Clients, friends, and people I meet frequently ask this question. If I had a dime for each time I heard this question, I'd be a wealthy woman! Many people are challenged with getting or staying organized and often feel like their inability to tackle organizing projects on their own means there's something wrong with them.

In reality, organizing is not rocket science but more of a 'common sense' skill. It's also not something everyone has a natural affinity for nor is it always (or ever!) a straightforward, simple, or unemotional process. Being organized is more of a state of mind.

These are five of the more challenging reasons behind why it can be difficult to get and stay organized, along with realistic suggestions for overcoming them.

#1: It's Overwhelming

Getting organized is often compared to untangling a ball of yarn or a string of Christmas lights; when you can't even find the end of a strand, it's almost impossible to get things straight again. In the same way, tackling an organizing project can be totally overwhelming if you don't know where to begin or if you try to do too much at once.

The solution: If you feel paralyzed by the magnitude of your organizing project, break it down into bite-size pieces. I often refer to the famous question, 'How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!' Instead of trying to declutter an entire bookcase at once, for example, aim for a shelf (or even just a few feet of shelf) at a time. Don't know where to begin a project? Start with the spot that will have the most impact and that will provide the biggest dose of relief and accomplishment once it's organized.

#2: It's Hard to Do Alone

Organizing tends to be an activity that is much easier to do with someone else. When you try to handle an organizing project on your own, you might find yourself feeling bored, overwhelmed, distracted, annoyed, depressed, paralyzed, or just downright unmotivated.

The solution: Enlist someone to support you as you get organized, whether that means a friend, family member, or a professional, working side-by-side with you. You can also connect with a group of like-minded folks who can offer encouragement and guidance by phone, by e-mail, or in person in-between organizing sessions. Be cautious of working with family members, though, as they are often just as emotionally involved with the 'stuff' as you are. It's best to have a neutral party there to help.

#3: It's Boring

If you're driven to tears by the thought of spending more than 10 minutes sorting through files or deciding which of the clothes in your closet stay and which go, you're in good company. Many people find the process of getting organized to be a complete drag, even if they're enthusiastic about the end result. (I think they're nuts. The whole process of organizing can be fun, adventurous, and a great way to find spare money!)

The solution: You may never be thrilled by sorting and weeding or rearranging your file drawers or reorganizing your kitchen cabinets–and that's OK. The trick is to tie these tasks to something you do enjoy to make them a bit more palatable. For example, turn up your favorite tunes to listen to as you tackle your files or have a friend over for a glass of wine as you sort through your clothes. Make it a party, enjoy a few laughs. It can be fun!

#4: It's Emotional

Things are far more than things: they're also often memories, intentions, reminders of past events and accomplishments; symbols of things we'd planned to do; and mementos of people, places, and happenings that have shaped our lives. Getting organized very frequently involves revisiting our stuff and the emotions behind it–a process that can be extremely tough.

The solution: Again, have a trusted source of support can be invaluable, and can make the difference between being able to work through your emotions and continue with your organizing project or feeling mentally overloaded and giving up. If your emotional issues around your stuff are particularly deep-rooted, it's well worth seeking the help of a counselor or therapist to process what comes up for you.

#5: It's Tiring

Finally, in what can be a culmination of the other four stumbling blocks, organizing is often just plain tiring, both mentally and physically. Whether you're lifting and moving things as you work or making decision after decision about what to keep and what to part with, you may well find that you're truly zonked after an hour or two.

The solution: Long-lasting organization is a marathon, not a sprint. It's completely natural to want to make significant progress in a relatively short span of time, but trying to do too much at once can leave you burnt out and exhausted, which can make you want to abandon your organizing efforts altogether. As with avoiding feeling overwhelmed, the trick here is to take slow, steady action and to divide your project into reasonable chunks. You may feel like you're making much slower progress, but you'll be far more likely to maintain success over the long term. Getting organized is a journey with daily maintenance.

If you struggle with getting organized, you're not alone, and there's nothing wrong with you. Identify which of these five hurdles is making it challenging for you to work toward your organizing goals, and put the suggested solutions into practice.