Is Storage the Same as Organizing? U-Haul Thinks So

The other day, as I was driving across town I saw this sign.  I just had to stop and take a picture of it for my blog because it reminded me of the misguided notion that a lot of people hold about organizing, apparently U-Haul included.

Newsflash: Storing stuff is NOT organizing. Containerizing is NOT organizing. And for Pete's sake, just getting rid of stuff isn't organizing either...

These things all play into the organizing process, but standing alone they all just, well... stand alone.

Storing, containerizing and throwing out aren't organizing because you can store clutter, you can certainly containerize clutter (my clients do it all the time) and you can for sure get rid of stuff and still not be organized.

Remember... getting organized is about a lot more than just containers. It involves a lot of mental and emotional work. In addition, there's the physical work of sorting, honing your decision-making skills to accurately assess what has present or future value, and getting rid of what is no longer serving your life. After that, you need to create simple storage systems and lifestyle routines so you can maintain a simpler life and create a whole new result for your future. Oh, and as for the phone number on the sign? Yeah, I'm not really sure what 1-800-UHIST R means either.

Comments

[Laura]

Great post! So often people will run out and purchase the organizing containers BEFORE doing their sort and purge as well as system development and then wonder why the containers don't work or why they can't keep themselves organized.
Very well said,
Laura

[Brandie Kajino]

Hooray! I could not agree more! Containerizing, storing and moving stuff around is just, well, "stuff" shifting - NOT organizing!

Btw, love that you are a night owl like me! :)

[Monica Ricci]

Laura and Brandie, thanks for your comments. I often quote Warren Zevon when I do speaking engagements. Zevon said, "People buy books because they imagine they're buying the time to read". I think people buy organizing products in a desperate attempt to purchase organization.
~Monica

[Jeri Dansky]

Monica,

I couldn't agree more! You inspired me to write my own rant on this subject, at http://jdorganizer.blogspot.com/2007/04/organization-is-more-than-storage.html.

Jeri

[Amy]

Laura's blog brought me here. Your topic is something I've learned the hard way... you can't organize clutter! Sorting and tossing have to come first.

[Monica Ricci]

Amy, thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll add my blog to your list of regular reading! And Jeri, thanks for sharing that my post inspired you!
~Monica