Names have power. They describe, define and identify. Recently, I have been working on a project that has brought this message home in a fresh way.
One goal of this project has been clearing out the storage room. Many of us have this room: the one where we stash everything that doesn’t have a clearly designated place to live. Typically, this is an attic, basement, garage, spare room, or even a closet. In this case, the client had expressed an interest in repurposing this storage room into a child’s bedroom. (see photos of this “Bedroom” project here)
As we worked, we kept referring to the room as the “Scary Room.” This is the name the room had acquired over time, a tongue-in-cheek reference to the volume of the contents. As we worked and talked, I realized how easy it had become to stick items inside this room… a “scary” room has no constructive purpose, and is clearly a space where you don’t want to spend any time. In fact, according to its name, this is a place you want to open the door, pitch things in, and get out as quickly as possible!
On my last visit, I suggested we rename this room. Instead of the “scary room”, we decided to start calling it by the name we wished this room to have… her daughter’s room. This seems like a small change, but it made us think differently. Items that might live in a “scary” room have no business in a little girl’s bedroom, a distinction that helped us make choices and decisions.
This principle applies to every area of our home or office. By giving a space a vague or disparaging name, we are likely to disrespect that space, allowing the contents to get out of control. Instead, we can choose to name a space for its beneficial, intended purpose. For example, instead of the ”junk “drawer, call it the “desk supplies” drawer. Or, instead of the “messy” closet, call it the “craft” closet or the “coat” closet.
As you look around your space, take a moment to think about what you call various areas. Have you chosen specific, positive, functional titles, or allowed some areas to fall into negative disarray? Sometimes a simple change like a name (especially when coupled with a corresponding, printed label…) can turn the momentum in the direction you wish to go.
* * * * *
Names matter! Do you have a room, closet or container in your life that needs a new one?
That is fascinating. When I was a kid, we had a room called “The Gray Room.” It never was called anything different, and luckily that name didn’t inspire anything bad by association, but I would have hoped we’d rename it otherwise!
We call one of our rooms “The Story Room.” It’s actually a guest room/potential future bedroom but right now it’s a room full of books, and so, stories.
Tamara recently posted…Gifting a Memory With Vera Wang.
That is interesting, Tamara! I wonder why it was gray.. maybe the paint color? I think the response on this one are going to be very fun:)
Aw, as a kid my bedroom was known as the pink room, because I had to have it all directed walls and all pink. Now, not so sure what I would name my bedroom or all rooms in my home, but still funny how this brought that memory back to me just by reading this today 😉
Janine Huldie recently posted…Make Easy Cheesy Pepperoni Pinwheels with Perfect Dipping Sauce
What a nice memory! My sister had the pink room. I had the yellow room, and always wanted the pink room:)
I agree Seana, giving a negative name to anything, can only give it a negative mood. I always tell my clients to give each room a purpose, that way it has a positive vibe.
And the name you WANT it to have… even if you aren’t quite there yet:)
What a great example of how the power of language can reframe our thinking. I was recently with a client and we were working to purge some of her deceased mother’s items. Instead of using the term “getting rid of,” we began saying “releasing it” and it really helped in making that shift to being able to more freely let things go. You’re so right about the power of words being able to change our mindset!
Perfect example, Sarah! “Getting rid of” sounds very negative, while “releasing” is a positive, forward-moving term. That’s exactly what I was trying to say — thanks for the comment!
I totally agree, especially rooms that are large and have different purposes. For example, if you have a large family room, you may have a section for an office, a playroom, a place for entertaining and a place for storage. It is so important that everyone in the household knows what the different areas are so they can also maintain the space. More hands take less work. =) Thanks for sharing.
Sabrina Quairoli recently posted…Holiday Card Organization
Definitely true, Sabrina. Defining those zones helps everybody know what to put where:)
I love how renamining gives new perspective to all things. I also like to use humor to diffuse the name given too. When we reframe, we are motivated and ready to make a change.
Agreed, Ellen. It really changes both motivation and momentum. I think having a positive goal to move toward is so much more energizing than a negative situation to flee from!
Wow this is so insightful Seana! A few years ago when we thought we were going to have more children we stored all of our leftover baby supplies in a room called the baby room. It was just waiting for a baby. Well when that baby never came it was annoying calling it the baby room. So that’s when I cleaned it out, donated the stuff and it became the playroom. Now our son has grown out of most of those toys so it’s becoming the music room. Changing the name kept me moving forward instead of dwelling in the past. 🙂
Autumn Leopold recently posted…A One of a Kind Organizing Book For Children
I love that you morphed the purpose of the room as your needs changed. That is exactly what space should do, serve our needs! I love the idea of a music room:)
Oh, the power of language! This is a beautiful example of how you helped your client reframe her perspective. I’m working with a client on something similar, although it’s not with a room name, but a perception of what she thinks she isn’t able to do. In fact she IS able and I’ve been holding that up to her in a positive way as she accomplishes the things she thought were impossible. The words we use can define how we feel about ourselves, our spaces, our relationships in both positive and negative ways.
Linda Samuels recently posted…9 Guaranteed Solutions for Restoring Your Life Balance
I’ve so enjoyed the comments on this post. Many great ways to extend this concept to other aspects of life. SO TRUE that the way we name and think about our skills or limitations, and the way this mindset directly impacts our success. Lucky client to have you reminding her that is IS able… that is MORE THAN half the battle:)
Thats a great idea.. we actually do call our office the Junk Room because its filled with so much junk.. .I like the idea of calling it what you WANT it to become… – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
Gingi recently posted…Capture the Moment: The Modern Photographer’s Guide to Finding Beauty in Everyday and Family Life
Well, there you go! Maybe if you call it the office you’ll have a change in your space. Who needs a room full of junk, right?
Im going to be tackling that room this spring… gonna start using the RIGHT name for it!!! <3 – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
Gingi recently posted…Visalia’s Best Old School Hole in the Wall Donut Joint – Scotty’s Donuts!
Remember to take “before” and “after” photos, Gingi. It’ll make you feel a wonderful sense of accomplishment!
Seana, so very true! The names we use to reference our spaces (silly, negative, or otherwise) could in fact hold us back. We can easily get stuck in the “messy room.” Perhaps if we swapped it out with a more functional name like “spare guest room,” or “private study,” we can visualize our goals and be motivated to affect these changes.
Nancy Borg recently posted…Comment on The Ins and Outs of Gift-Giving by Nancy Borg
That’s the hope, Nancy. That by renaming the space, we give it an identity that is desirable and worth working toward. It also makes us less likely to fill it with random items. Thanks for the comment!
Seana,
Your insightfulness continues to impress me! I have had SEVERAL clients introduce me to their “Scary Room”! It is so important for them to focus on the vision for the space rather than dwelling on all of the challenges. Thanks for this
Natalie Gallagher recently posted…Keeping Track of Holiday Gift Purchases Throughout the Year {FREE Gift Inventory Printable}
And to let them know that many people out there have a “scary room!” Sometimes knowing that you are pretty normal can make you feel better:)
We call our empty bedroom “Tasha’s room” – Tasha is our cat, and it’s where we keep her litter box, scratching post, etc. but it seems like such a waste of space. I once thought of transforming into a space where I can do yoga, but never got around to it. Maybe if I start calling it my Yoga Room, I’ll actually get around to doing that – and doing yoga too.
Janet Barclay recently posted…Minimalism – an invitation to a conversation
I love yoga! I actually have a few clients who have a room for the cat supplies, and nickname the room in a similar way. Just a thought to consider… I would certainly affirm a transformation to a yoga space!
Thanks for the inspiration! I don’t know how serious I am, but you’ve definitely got me thinking.
Janet Barclay recently posted…Mind Clutter – Professional Organizers Blog Carnival
I love your thinking. It is so true. Name the room a positive name and you will have a better chance of making it into a positive, beneficial and functioning room. Great advice!
Love watching this magic happen with clients. The change seems so small, but what we saw is surprisingly powerful!
I see I’m late to the party, but I’m SO with you! I have renamed many rooms for clients….often from something junky or scary to “Studio” as in art, writing, or music. My newest clients have one called “The Armageddon Room”. They actually have enough rooms that the eventual purpose of this one is unclear at this time. Meanwhile, “Organized Storage Room” will be an improvement!
Hazel Thornton recently posted…The Gift of an Organized Family History
I love Armageddon Room… that’s hilarious! Must be nice to have a large house where you can dedicate a room to storage! Certainly if you have this space, ORGANIZED is a desirable part of it’s moniker!