Choose Happy with my fabulous clear your clutter tips:
Before you read on, take a moment to look around you.
How is your desk? Is it covered in piles of paper, unread articles, “to-do” piles, unpaid bills? Are you surrounded by unfinished projects?
Or is it neat and tidy, with everything in its place?
Look up and check out the rest of the room, the rest of your personal space?
How does it make you feel?
Did you know that the state of our physical environment actually contributes in quite a large way to our energy levels?
It also affects our clarity of thought and our ability to be resilient. This, in turn, affects our health and well-being.
When we are surrounded by clutter, including reminders of failed relationships and things we are just hanging onto out of a sense of -guilt or obligation we feel physically more tired. Our motivation and our energy are lowered and we can literally feel “stuck”. And sadly, we are actually preventing what we really want from coming into our lives!
Don’t despair! Keep reading.
This isn’t about judgment and I’m really not trying to make you feel worse. I want you to know that you can create a space that makes you feel good and supports your health and well-being. And you can start right now!
Here’s how:
- Get yourself and pen and paper and get up and walk through the area you are ready to tackle. You pick where you would like to begin, whether at home or at work.
- Begin writing two lists:
- The cluttered areas that are causing you the most grief (be honest with yourself-no one else has to see this)
- A “to-do” list of actions that will make you feel better.
Breaking the task into manageable portions will go a long way to getting you started in your clutter-clearing.
Tip: Don’t take on your whole house or apartment in one go—you’ll feel overwhelmed and quit. When deciding where to start pick a small project that is manageable and also watch out for the emotional attachment trap. For example, you could start with an underwear drawer—throw out the old ones, and create space for the new, or a kitchen counter-top is a good neutral place to begin. As you feel good about clearing clutter you will be ready to tackle projects with greater emotional attachment.
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Set yourself up for success! Plan a time to begin, whether it’s right now or book an appointment with yourself.
Gather some boxes and label them as follows:
- Donate
- Sell
- Garbage
- Recycle
- Return to rightful owner (oops!)
The idea is to sort directly into these boxes, so that you do not end up with just more piles of stuff on the floor or worse still, all over the bed!
Tip: Make the task more palatable by playing your favourite CD, or my personal favorite, the reward system. I book myself a time to work and then I allow myself time afterwards to do something fun!
Allow yourself to have your feelings! Sometimes clearing clutter can be like a trip down memory lane. Take time to journal or pick up the phone and chat with a friend and then let go and let the good stuff come in.
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Clearing clutter and getting the energy flowing back in our lives makes us feel absolutely fabulous!
The more you do, the more you will want to do, as it feels so good to let the energy flow around us again. Feel great about taking a box of stuff you no longer use to the local thrift store and imagine how it will help someone else’s life. Enjoy the recycling process. Letting go of clutter is an energizing experience!
Tip: Remember, the clutter didn’t all arrive overnight, so be gentle and caring with yourself and allow yourself time to take on these projects. Your energy will increase and you will actually find yourself looking forward to your next clutter-clearing appointment.
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And the final step is maintenance. Begin to establish routines in your life that support being organized.
Simple steps might be to always do the dishes before you go to bed. We feel much better when we start the day walking into a clean kitchen, and your day will begin on a positive note.
Well, I am feeling inspired to tackle my desk! I’ve been procrastinating, and as I look at it now, it will take me maybe half an hour tops to get it back on track.
If you would like help getting started, please call me for an appointment at 206 201 2764 and we can personalize the above process, looking at your habits and general mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health. We can then take a serious step to your feeling more energy and being healthy.
I can also connect you to some dedicated clutter-clearing professionals—just e-mail me.
And finally for today, here’s a book I recommend: Karen Kingston’s Clear Your Clutter With Feng Shui.
Choose Happy and get your life back on track.
How timely! Today I cleared out/organized a drawer full of old notes, cards, etc. that I couldn’t throw away AND finished my taxes – but still have a pile of papers on my office desk that I’ve taken a break from. I did a few “happy” things in between and am actually looking forward to tackling the pile very soon. I also have Karen Kingston’s awesome book but now that I think about it, I can’t remember who I last loaned it to LOL!
I love synchronicity! Woohoo! And pat yourself on the back for getting your taxes done. Yes, taking a break and not pushing yourself too hard is super important to staying on the Happy path.
What’s really funny is that I’ve had that book in my bookcase for about 5 years and never opened it!
I’m progressively becoming more & more minimalist after a huge clearing, helped by a master clutter-clearer who is a hard task master! He helped me hold the space so I could do it. It’s a task I find too emotionally challenging to tackle on my own.
I loved seeing your desk from a different angle! Hee hee!
Nudge, nudge…read the book…you’ll love it! I had a major clear out last year and a friend held the space for me. It was fabulous. My desk is polished and happy today…
I think your first comment in the process is really important. You have to know how your space makes you feel.
I find that if a space is too clear, too empty, I don’t get anything done. The balance is in having just enough “clutter” and just enough clear space. I’m feeling like I’ve got most of the clutter reigned in enough to be happy – though I know it would drive some of my friends crazy.
Hugs and butterflies,
~Teresa~
Great insight. Yes, we have to have around us what makes us happy. I had a friend who was selling her home and she had a feng shui dabbler come and help her clear out all the energy. It was liking walking into a show home and was lifeless. She couldn’t understand why it wasn’t selling. We put some personality back and a little energy in each room made it warm and inviting again. The house sold to the very next person who came through the door! Balance and moderation required. Love it. Thanks Butterfly Maiden!
Oh so guilty of crazy exploding desk syndrome! Love the idea that clearing makes room for energy, will hold onto that as I tackle it a bit at a time!
LOL! I love that ‘exploding desk syndrome’ … yes, that describes it to a tee! Good luck!
I am about to move into a new home. So your tips come at a great time, when I plan on living in a sparse yet homey place without any irritating clutter. I had that Feng Shui book for a few years and got a lot out of it, and then I gave it away when I decluttered. But you’ve inspired me to look at other feng shui books so I can make my new home peaceful and comfortable.
Thank you Tracey. How lovely to know that I’ve helped you become inspired to create a peaceful, nurturing new home. Go for it! And btw, I use the library all the time. That way I read what I want and don’t clutter up my home. Happy New Home! xox
Great article, Jacqueline, makes me to go and tidy up. Ideally I wish I can afford a cleaner who would do do it for me, I’m dreaming about having a dishwasher. I’m trying to persuade myself that I feel more creative in a mess or that I don’t have time to do the household chores, but in reality clutter free environment does give the clarity and inspiration to create. going to de-clutter.
I hope you feel inspired to break it down into some bite-sized chunks. The feeling of gratification as you get a little done each week will make you Feel Absolutely Fabulous…and the creativity it frees up will have you finding a way to get that dishwasher in no time!
You wrote this especially for me, didn’t you, Jacqueline? 🙂
Clutter makes me feel FRANTIC!!! I look around a cluttered space and feel my heart start to speed up, my shoulders tighten and my breathing get shallow. I can’t take it. My trick when I find myself here (despite having a billion and two things to do) is to set a timer and pick one space. Five minutes, ten, whatever — I set a timer and GO AT THAT CLUTTER as fast as I can until the timer stops. It never fails: I always tidy up more than I thought could be possible in that short time, and I feel sooooooo much better prepared to tackle those other tasks.
Now, for the maintenance part…….. 🙂
Woohoo Jessica. Great tip…use a timer. I have a Pomodoro timer on my desk and I use it all the time. 25 minutes of work and a 5 minute break. Usually for tea. 😉 Timers rock! Have a beautiful peaceful clutter free day. xox
Jacqueline I couldn’t help but leave a comment because I ADORE that book. I ran across it when I was a librarian about 15 years ago and I gobbled it up and memorized it. I really believe it’s what galvanized me to start my own clutter clearing business. I recommend it to all of my clients and occasionally run across a forlorn, unread copy under piles of stuff in my clients home and we have a good laugh. (And then I urge them to read it of course!)
Great article!!
xo
Lisa
Thank you so much for sharing Lisa. I love what you are doing. I may need to pull this book out soon…I have to tackle my over-run closet. Behind closed doors 😉