Burger boxes, French fry wrappers, napkins, empty single slice apple pie containers, an old dish rag, melted crayons, dirt, dust, somebody's earring (yours or your partners?), a 1995 telephone book of Surprise, Arizona, a potato chip in the shape of Wyoming (Ellen DeGeneres might buy THAT one...), a 1980's vintage Archie comic book, and more, all crammed into your car. You've decided that you want to clean out your car. But, cleaning out the car seems too overwhelming. So, how can you motivate yourself to clean it out and do it in a manageable way?
Divide the Task of Car Cleaning into a Manageable Project
Let's look at cleaning out your car like it's a project instead of a problem. Projects feel fun to do. Problems feel like a drag. So, choose to see cleaning out a car like it's a project. Do something each day or each week to feel calm and relaxed as you clean the car.
What to Do on Week One?
Suppose that on week one, you simply pick up the sandwich wrappers left there from fast food restaurants. That's all. After picking them up, go into the house, walk into the bathroom and stand in front of the mirror, look right into your eyes cheerfully and say, "Great job. You can do this. I like you and I believe in you."
What to Do on Week Two?
On week two what if you choose to pick up clothes? Pick them up and take them into the house for cleaning (unless they need to be dry cleaned.) If you don't have clothes in your car, then pick another type of item, such as empty water bottles. Then, go into the house, stand in front of the bathroom mirror and cheerfully look at yourself and say, "Great job. You can do this!"
What to Do on Week Three?
On week three maybe you could pick up books or papers and take them into the house, recycle them or toss them away. Then, go into the house and look at your beautiful, handsome face in the mirror and say, "Great job. Look at you doing this. Keep breathing calmly. I'm proud of you! I like you and I believe in you."
What to Do on Week Four?
On week four of the project, suppose you simply pick up the shoes or boots or footwear left in the car and take them into the house or get rid of them as appropriate. Then, go to the bathroom mirror and cheerfully and say, "Great job. Keep going. You CAN do this!"
What to Do Next?
Repeat what you've done so far the other weeks until you eventually clean out the entire car. Then begin a maintenance program of removing extra items every day from the car. Remember to keep praising yourself and believing in yourself. You can do this. Stay focused on doing a little bit at a time. If you need some help, you might decide to contact a hypnotherapist and/or a professional organizer that specializes in decluttering.
Did you like this method of cleaning a messy car? If so, just keep using this formula on other decluttering projects. Imagine the possibilities!
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