Organize Your Life, Up and Away! 5 Liberating Lessons for a Lighter Life

I recently saw the Disney-Pixar movie Up, and discovered it was entertaining and instructional. The movie imparted some of the same messages I teach my clients. I actually retrieved a pen and small notebook from my purse during the movie and took notes. (Yes, I am an organizer at heart!)
In case you haven't see
Up, here's a plot summary: Carl, the grumpy main character, uses thousands of helium-filled balloons to carry his entire home through the sky to move to Paradise Falls, South America, to fulfill his late wife's childhood dream. He learns a number of valuable life lessons along the way. And how do Carl's liberating realizations relate to organizing?

1. It's just stuff. Carl discovered that spending emotional and physical energy on caring for his house and possessions had diminished his ability to enjoy friends, pets, and life in general. Plus, this blinded his ability to see that his life was rich, regardless of the items he possessed. How much energy do your possessions steal from you? Do you need to rebalance your view?

2. Who you are is more important than the stuff you own. In the movie, adventurer Charles Muntz shifted from being an admired explorer to stopping at nothing to redeem his tarnished reputation. Do you use material items to buy admiration or attention? If so, does that help you become the person you were meant to be?

3. Letting go of possessions can be liberating. As the helium in the balloons diminished, Carl jettisoned the possessions he previously held dear, so his house could fly again. As Carl let go of his past, he was able to live fully in the present and look forward to his destination. Do the "things" in your life prevent you from living fully in the present and looking forward to the future?

4. Take time to enjoy simple moments. As Carl chased what he thought was his wife's dream, he discovered what she really treasured - the simple things in life, like holding hands. Are you waiting for life to "happen" instead of taking time to appreciate small, everyday moments that make each day special?

5. Make everyday moments special for your children. Russell, a young boy in the movie, comments about his home life and says "the boring stuff is the stuff I like the most," such as getting ice cream with his dad. Do you try to create magical moments for your kids by showering them with lavish trips and gifts while forgetting that their most vivid, enjoyable memories may be as simple as spending time with you playing catch or reading a story?

I understand if you're hesitant to take advice from an animated movie! But regardless of the source of the message, consider this: Does your stuff weigh you down? Does it keep you mired in the past, unable to live fully in the present, and unable to embrace your future? Remember, this liberating lesson from Carl: You can't fully enjoy the present and grab hold of the future until you let go of the stuff that weighs you down.