Why Is Change So Hard?

Guest Post Written By: Kristine Morris, The Change Maven

You don’t have to look very far to see the pressure for change all around us. 

Magazine covers telling us how we can get slimmer, stronger, smarter, and sexier. YouTube gurus telling us how to be more productive, wealthier, more influential.

Why are we so drawn to change? And if it’s so irresistible, why is it so hard?

First, we are drawn to change because we are wired to evolve; without change we would still be living in caves, dragging our knuckles, and fighting off saber tooth tigers.

“Without change we would still be living in caves, dragging our knuckles and fighting off saber tooth tigers”

Why is change so hard?

Why then, if we are ‘supposed to’ change, is it so hard when we try to do so? We can turn to our ancestors for this answer as well.

As much as we are wired to evolve, we are also wired to follow the known path, to make the choices that our brains recognize as safe.

Historically, our lives depended on us NOT making the same mistakes over and over again. 

It was very important, from a survival perspective, to know that we must RUN when a saber tooth tiger was chasing us. 

Our lives depended upon us knowing NOT to eat that same strange looking berry that our buddy ate and died from the previous day. 

Our brains are wired to remind us of DANGER!

Unfortunately, our brains have not evolved enough to recognize the difference between true danger and the natural discomfort of change, which we routinely misinterpret as danger.

Let me give you an example.

Let’s say you are terrified of speaking in public. I’m talking TERRIFIED - puke worthy, sweaty palms, pee your pants kind of fear.

Your brain reads this as danger on par with being chased by that saber tooth tiger, and so it tells you to RUN!

Your brain literally does not know between the two scenarios, creating a reaction in your body that tells you “this is not safe”. 

To reinforce the message of “this is not safe”, your body throws in the feeling of wanting to vomit all over your new shoes, along with sweaty hands and feeling like your heart is going to explode out of your chest.

Mission accomplished: you are now thoroughly convinced that speaking in public is DANGEROUS!

From a survival perspective it makes total sense that you would avoid this activity, the same as you would avoid pissing off a saber tooth tiger.

So naturally, when you try to reason with yourself and say “no, I am not in danger, I can speak in public”, your brain and your body screams “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Why our brain doesn't like change and what to do about it.

When we understand WHY we feel the way we do when faced with change, we can take concrete steps to making the changes we want in our lives.

Change IS scary, some more than others, but it IS possible.

What thought patterns do you have that you assumed were "hard wired" but that you could change?

More about Kristine!

More resources for you!

Keeping Your Home Organized Through Every Season

Have you decided this is your year to declutter the garage, the pantry, and all of your closets? Good for you! 

Getting your home to an organizational level that works for you and your family is well worth the investment of your time, dollars, and energy.

The benefits of getting rid of your clutter are numerous and life-changing. You will have more time, find things faster, and spend less time lost looking for stuff. You will save money by not buying duplicates of items you can’t find.

You might even make some money by selling or consigning your no longer useful items. The peace of mind and reduced stress that decluttering and organizing brings is a game-changer for your life.

Decluttering and organizing does take planning, determination, and commitment to see your home transformed. By arranging your families organizing projects by the seasons, the likelihood of completing all of your plans over time improves.

Finally Organized

The first and most important step when organizing any area is to minimize. Ask yourself what adds value to your life compared to what you don’t want, need or use. Once items are reduced, it is much easier to organize and arrange what’s left.

The second key to ultra-functional spaces is to keep like with like and knowing where everything is. Keep your daily essential items close at hand. Store away items you don’t need or use every day.

You can start organizing in any of your home however, we suggest you start with the easiest areas or projects first. Donate, consign & trash what you know can live without.

Another strategy is to start with the space that causes you the most frustration. When you get these quick wins under your belt, you will be super excited and motivated to keep going.

How Long Does It Take To Get Organized?

There are quite a few different factors to consider when determining how long each room or area will take to get organized. Some of these reasons are:

• The size and layout of your home.
• How long you have lived in your home.
• The shopping habits of you and your family.
• How much visible and hidden clutter there is.
• Is anyone in the home is chronically disorganized or has a hard time letting go?
• If someone in your home is a collector.
• If everyone in the family is motivated and willing to declutter and get organized.
• Decision making speed when decluttering.
• Whether you get outside help from friends, family, or a professional organizer.

Decluttering Principles

• Keep only the belongings that are relevant to your life today & define your current vision.
• Let go of items that point to your past or parts of yourself that you want to change.
• Only hold onto things that make your heart sing and bring you joy.
• Release objects that make you feel sad, guilty, or unhappy with yourself or others.

Storage Principles

• Items that are used more often should be stored within easy reach, preferably at eye level.
• Things that are used infrequently and heavy should be stored below the waist.
• Stuff seldom used and lighter should be stored above the head.

Basic Steps Of Organizing

1. Remove everything
2. Organize – put like with like
3. Edit/declutter
4. Clean space & keep items
5. Containerize & label
6. Return everything – put items where you use them

Getting Unstuck When Organizing

If you are stuck on whether to keep or get rid of an item, ask yourself these 7 questions (hint – if you say “No” to one, some or all of these questions, considering getting rid of it). The more of these decisions you make, the easier it gets:

1. Have I used this in the last year?
2. Will I use it in the next year?

3. Would I buy this item again today?
4. If it’s broken is it worth fixing or will I spare the time & money to fix it?
5. Is it easily replaced or borrowed if I need it again?
6. Would I keep it if I moved?
7. Do I have a duplicate of this item in better shape?

If you are still agonizing over an item, put it in a box with a sticky note with an expiration date on it for a few months from now. If you don’t reach for the item in that time frame, remove it from your home.

Keeping Your Home Organized Through Every Season

You can start your home organizing journey at any time of the year.

We suggest starting in the spring as this is typically the time of year you are more energized for a fresh start. The months of March, April and May are when we begin thinking of clearing out the dust and dreariness from the long, cold winter months.

There is excitement that winter is over and for the promise of summer ahead. So, take advantage of the burst of get-up-and-go that spring brings to kick start your organizing projects.

Now You Can Keep Your Home Organized Through Every Season!

Get Started Right Away Transforming Your Spaces!

Why Would You Give This Away For Free?

I get asked this question all the time. When you claim your copy of this amazing resource book, you will too.

I created this because I am on a mission to help people like you find your freedom through organized spaces. I know this resource will be exactly what some people will need to finally get and stay organized.

By gifting this incredible resource to you, it's my way of starting our relationship together on the right foot. I want to earn your trust so that I can help you find your freedom to live your life.

If you have a second, I'd love to know: 

Being an organized person

So what does it mean to be an organized person?

Being an organized person means different things to different people.

There is a sliding clutter scale where we each feel the most comfortable and in control of our lives. Some people prefer their spaces to be pristine and minimalist while others are happiest when they can see more of their stuff.

There is no right or wrong when it comes to being organized. The most important thing is that your spaces work for you.

If you feel ashamed to have company over, you regularly can't find things you need, or you miss paying bills on the due date because of clutter, it is time to get organized.

How do you become more organized?

Organized people are not born that way....really they're not. They have simply learned skills, tools, habits, and systems to get and keep themselves organized.

The good news is that anyone can learn to become more organized!

You may think "I'm just not that way." or "I'm too creative/spontaneous." and that is understandable.

But if you are open-minded and motivated to implement a few basics, you can live a more organized and stress-free life.

Basics of becoming organized

When you are an organized person, your house is neat, and you keep track of what you need to accomplish and when.

You know what your priorities are. You have simple systems in place. You use tools to help make tasks more efficient. You understand the basics of organization.

The following practices, systems and habits illustrate what being organized looks like.

Benefits of being organized

The benefits of being organized are numerous and truly life-changing.

Here are just a few of the transformative ways your life will improve.

Enjoying the satisfaction and advantages of living a more organized life is within your reach.

You will never regret becoming a more organized person.

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