An empty shelf

Whenever I'm working with a client and we empty a box (during the sorting and purging stages of organization), I always stop and do a little cheer. An empty box is a sign of progress. It means things are moving, changing, and the stuff is no longer in a box where it can't be used or loved.

Gretchen Rubin, of The Happiness Project, talks about always having an empty shelf. The emptiness of the shelf implies room for growth, a symbolic invitation for new ideas, inspiration and riches to come into our lives.

For some people, an empty shelf or box makes them nervous. They might have a desire to fill the box or shelf up. Maybe they think they need to be using up all their space. But there is nothing wrong with an empty box, shelf, or drawer, or even closet (assuming you don't have stuff strewn across your living space). The empty space is a promise of growth, change, of new possibilities. If all your surfaces, drawers and boxes are full, how can you accept new things into your life?

Clear off a shelf or clean out a drawer today. See how it makes you feel.

Creative Commons photo posted to Flickr by surekat
Lelah Baker-Rabe is a Los Angeles-based professional organizer. To discuss your organizing needs, call her at 818.269.6671 or email lelah@lelahwithanh.com