You may think you’ve got too much going on to start your decluttering project. Or you may think you’re too old or too tired to tackle something quite so daunting. Wait till you read this note I received from a woman in her 80s! Be inspired by her – it’s never too late!

Dear Kathi,

Last week I picked up a copy of Clutter Free and enjoyed reading through it.  A few nights ago as I was getting ready for bed, I looked at the stash of books in my bookcase and thought I’d just pick out the books I hadn’t yet read and decide what to do with the rest.  To my surprise, one that I picked up was The Get Yourself Organized Project!  Since it is copyrighted 2012, I must have gotten it a couple of years ago.  Have I done anything with it in that time?  No!  So now I think it’s about time I get off my duff and start doing.

Let’s just say that I am one of the world’s worst procrastinators.  I do have sort of a half-baked excuse.  For four and a half years my husband was in a nursing home, but he changed his address to heaven on Easter Sunday – so I no longer have an excuse to let things pile up until I would be embarrassed to have my pastor drop in unexpectedly.  I “temporarily” lose things – such as the bill that I know came in a few days ago and must be somewhere in the mess that is my kitchen table (do I really need more than enough open space for my dinner plate and mug?).  You’d think that at my time in life (I’m in my early 80s) I would have things more together, but maybe – just maybe – when my eldest daughter comes to visit me here in Colorado from her home in Massachusetts, she will no longer be able to say, “Mom, you’ve got too much stuff”!

Thank you for saying what needs to be said.  I’ve been a bit jealous of those women who can welcome any and all into their homes without saying, “Good grief! I wish I had picked up this morning!”

Thanks for you listening ear.  I’m determined to get started using your practical steps to becoming organized.

Sincerely, Mary