I know that the idea of setting limits may seem at first to be a negative approach, more of a punishment than a positive strategy. Challenge yourself to look at this idea from a different, more holistic, perspective. We regularly set limits on a multitude of things without thinking about it. I set limits for myself on the number of candies, chocolates, and cookies I eat during the day – don’t you? The benefits of setting limits on these things impact the amount of sugar and calories I intake during the day. It’s a form of self-care. I know if I over-indulge in these sweet treats, I’ll feel sick to my stomach, and I won’t get my work done. When I limit the number of treats I eat, I enjoy them, and I don’t get sick. The benefit is obvious.
If we apply setting limits to the number of things we own in a particular category the benefits are endless. Read on to find out the many benefits of setting limits on your belongings.
3 Reasons Why Setting Limits Helps
- Reduces Decision Fatigue
Making decisions is hard work. I regularly limit the number of hours in my work sessions because I want my clients to make good, thoughtful decisions. I know that we can get a lot done in a two-hour work session and that my client will not be over-tired. When people are over-tired, they tend to make hasty decisions.
Applying limits to the number of things we keep reduces the overwhelm that comes with having too many options from which to select.
It’s also easier and faster to make decisions because there’s less from which to choose.
2, Simplifies Maintenance
Another benefit of setting limits to the number of things is that it’s easier to clean your home. There are fewer things to pick up and move, which means that cleaning an area takes less time. Whether you do your own cleaning or have a cleaning service, less time means it’s easier for you to do or it costs less.
Plus, when you own less it’s easier to keep them organized.
3. Encourages Mindful Consumption
When you know how many of each category of things you have, you become much more intentional when you’re out shopping.
You can ask yourself these questions:
- how many do I already have?
- If I buy this, what am I going to remove?
If you can’t easily answer the questions, consider leaving the item in the store until you’re ready to re-home something you already have.
How to Set Limits
Assess Your Needs
Figure out what you honestly need to have in each category. How much or many is enough? If we’re talking about clothes, how many pairs of black pants do you wear in a week? Maybe you wear black pants to work everyday and do laundry once a week. If that is the case, is 5 a good number or perhaps 6 is better.
If we’re talking about pots and pans, dishes, or storage containers how many do you use at one time?
Think about all sorts of circumstances when you’re deciding on a number. The benefit of setting limits is that you can use it to guide you. When you have no set limit, you will continue to collect.
Define your categories
As you assess your needs and think about the benefits of setting limits to the number of things you keep, create specific categories.
Within books, you may have books that are classics, references for your particular line of work, cookbooks, poetry, travel, and more.
Group your belongings by broad categories first and then into narrower categories if appropriate.
Set a Number
As much as possible set a specific number when you’re setting limits. You may have many frying pans, for instance, but only one of each size. If you use all the different sized frying pans and you have the space to keep them, then that’s fine. But if you honestly only use one or two of the frying pans and you have six then consider donating the ones you don’t use.
Think about the available space when you set a number.
Avoid creating another space to store the overflow. Remember you are setting limits to the number of things you own.
Declutter Regularly
Once every three or four months, review and reassess your belongings. Think back to the limits you set for yourself. Are they holding? Do you want to rethink them?
As you put your things away, periodically look at other things that are being stored in that space. Ask yourself, when was the last time you used that item? If you can’t remember, or if you think you will never use that item, it’s probably time to donate it.
Let someone else have the benefit of owning it.
3 Tips for Success
- One In, One Out Rule
Every time you bring something new into your home, remember to remove one thing
2, Quality over Quantity
If possible, look for quality items that last longer which saves you money in the long run
3. Seek Professional Help
A professional organizer can provide guidance, support, and accountability
Conclusion:
The benefits of setting limits on the number of things you own ultimately frees you. You gain a better understanding of what you use and which things you need to support you in your home. With fewer decisions to make and less to clean, you’ll have more time to spend on things which bring you happiness and joy.
I hope you’ll try some of the strategies outlined here. I’d love to hear from you if you have other strategies or ways to set limits on the things you own. If you get stuck, please feel free to reach out to me in an email for some additional advice. You can reach me at: dnqsolutions@gmail.com.
Diane N. Quintana is the owner of DNQ Solutions, LLC. She is an ADHD Organizing Specialist, a Hoarding Specialist, and a Chronic Disorganization Specialist. Diane is also an ICD Master Trainer, Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization, Certified Professional Organizer and co-owner of Release Repurpose Reorganize LLC based in Atlanta, Georgia. She specializes in residential and home-office organizing.
I am continually reassessing what I have. One of the questions I ask myself is, “Does this still match my current lifestyle?” This question works with items in my kitchen as well as items in my closet or linen closet.
That’s a great question, Jonda! Thank you for sharing.
“When people are over-tired, they tend to make hasty decisions.” Yes! They also might refuse to make any decisions at all! Decision fatigue can cause people to just plain shut down.
All of these methods of setting limits may seem too tightly structured, but they really give the individual freedom. The question is, why can I do this for my clients, and even do it for myself in most areas of my life, but not when I’m packing for a trip?! Assessing your needs for a vacation involves the mystery factor, and it’s a lifelong struggle to pare down (per your excellent guidelines) when I’m not sure about whether, how much I’ll have eaten (and thus, how the clothes will fit), and will the shoes that go with an outfit still be comfortable after traipsing all day? Setting the limit for the closet is idea; if only I could maintain those limits for the travel sub-set! ;-)
Aw, Julie! I admit I have the same problem when packing for a vacation. I hear my mother inside my head syaing ‘be practical’ and go with that. Function over form.
I think setting limits also highlights maintenance. When I work with clients, we decide whether a type of item will live and then we talk about “that’s the limit”, meaning they can’t have more t-shirts than what will fit in the drawer. I think some people are so prone to consumerism that they never stop to think “where am I going to put this”, and maintaining their space becomes an afterthought.
I agree, Janet. Maintenance is not top-of-mind in many cases.
I am so glad you included Quality over Quantity. There are so many people I know who think quantity is more important than quality. When my husband and I got the main areas of our house painted, we decided not to place many things on the walls. We just replaced the items that were meaningful to us and had value on the walls. That was about three years ago, and to this day, I enjoy seeing the blank walls in our home.
Thanks, Sabrina!
Although I don’t have specific numbers in mind, I apply some of these principles. For example, when my bookcase is full and there’s a new book I want to keep, I have to get rid of another one, and when I get new tops, I have to get rid of some old ones to make room in the drawer (and because if I have too many, some won’t get worn).
Thank you, Janet. I agree sometimes a physical limit of available space is the way to know when to reduce what you have.
I really love this sentence, “When you have no set limit, you will continue to collect.” We all live within limits in most of our lives: we can only travel so far, eat so much, reach so high, etc. At the same time, we can have a different thought about this when it comes to stuff. Anyone who is avoiding over-acquiring in a first-world setting has set some limits.
I also truly resonate with the decision-fatigue. I’ve received nice gifts from loved ones who know things I like. Still, I have noticed that it is a bit more “work” for me when I have a lot of choices. That is something to chew on this week.
In addition to choosing a number as a limit, I think a physical storage space can be a limit. For instance, I have a bag of “bags” in my closet. If I get more than fit in there, I use them to collect donations, or I swap out an old one with a new one.
Limits truly breed freedom.
I completely agree, Seana. No available space is a great indicator that the limit has been reached. The important thing to do is take that as a reason to reduce some of what is there to make room for the new things coming in.