Being AWARE of whatever is causing stuck energy in your body, your house, your mind, etc. is supposed to be the secret to conquering clutter. It makes sense that examining the underlying why of doing something will help us overcome it. It’s the old, “what you resist, persists” adage. Anything that causes resistance becomes your clutter. Do you avoid folding laundry, making a phone call, telling someone no? Personally, I am currently in some sort of self-blame mode about binging on Girl Scout cookies, specifically Peanut Butter Patties. Darn those addictive little discs! To help myself, I’ve got to get them out of my house.
Here are a few things I’ve learned about decluttering over the past month or so:
- For me, being around too many things makes me feel drained. Maybe it’s because every object that my eyes rest upon causes me to think in some way, and if it’s something that’s out of place, I have to think longer about it. When there are clean surfaces and items are in their correct home, my mind can focus on other things.
- Having fewer possessions saves me time. I know where something is so I’m not searching for anything. Getting dressed, I have fewer decisions to make.
- The best question for me to ask when I’m considering whether to keep something is “Does this help me have a meaningful life?” Extra shoelaces – nope. Exercise clothes – yes (just not as many). Another question: “If my house were on fire, would this be worth running inside to rescue?” Really, those extra pairs of eyeglasses are just taking up space.
- No more excuses. The main idea here is that you’re enough. You don’t need things, even sentimental items, in order to be enough. Example: I have boxes of photos and cards that I’ve kept for years and I finally decided to digitize them so I could have them organized and have those closet shelves back. Other things I took a photo of rather than keep the object itself. (Granted, I’m not finished and they are still sitting on the floor in a corner, but I will!)
So here’s what I’ve been doing, slowly but surely. I began with the mental image of what I want to feel when I’m in my home. With any project, I work clockwise. I start with one segment at a time until I’ve done the whole thing. That way it’s not too big that it’s unmanageable. It may be one drawer or one shelf but it’s progress!
Give away a few books; donate appliances you don’t use; toss old gardening supplies; go through the pantry; clean out under the kitchen sink; declutter bathtub toys; give away extra mugs/cups; toss old CDs and computer programs; scan/toss old school papers; get rid of old computers and electronics; sort your jewelry. The list can go on endlessly…
This can be personal… maybe you LOVE having all these things around you, in which case it’s fine. For me, less is far more.
Thanks for the reminder to declutter, Naomi. I will post this on our SoulSpace wall!
Amy Putkonen recently posted…A Letter for All of Us
Thanks, Amy. As usual, it’s a never-ending work in progress!
Great ideas, Naomi. I learned a hard lesson during the selling process of a farm house I lived in for 20 years (tons of storage spaces in many buildings). It was exhausting going through all the stuff accumulated. I finally gave up (and left a lot behind). Some regrets on a few of the abandoned items, but living lean is cathartic. I’m now in a small house with two tiny bedroom closets and a difficult to access one in the bathroom. So, basically, there’s no place to store anything beyond what I’m using. That makes it important that anything I add is great eye candy or very useful regularly. My (tiny) living room (would be a entry or mud room in most homes) has plants, a 5-foot fountain, a new loveseat (on the longest wall), candles, fresh flowers, paintings from artists I know and a record player. All stuff that feeds my soul. The bedroom (converted attic) is next. It’s fun when your space is so small it’s important to treasure every item within. I hear you too on the clutter thing. Anything non critical is a draining mess. Thanks for the tips and nudge.
Nanette Levin recently posted…5 easy steps for keeping fresh cut herbs tasty for months
I think those Tiny House shows on tv are fascinating. I’m sure they treasure each thing. Thank you for visiting and sharing!
“no more excuses” I need to drill that into my head!
Carol Cassara recently posted…Dreaming
Did I say that? I really should listen to myself more. 🙂
I appreciate the bullet points you have listed here. Even though I do my best to avoid having to de-clutter, there always comes a time when I need to go through and decide what needs to go. I really like the question, “Does this help me have a meaningful life?” I have got to remember that. THANKS!
Elda recently posted…One Moment
I’m starting the decluttering again – it is such an ongoing process. I just took all the stacks of papers, magazines and books and dumped them on the dining room table – and I’m starting to sort through them, one piece at a time! I believe decluttering – both your mind and your environment – is key to living more creativity and fully!
Vickie Martin Conison recently posted…EMPTY YOUR MIND
It definitely is an ongoing process. Some days I’m just not up for it and some days I don’t even care to look through things – I just dump it all. 🙂
My son is just back from three months in Kenya. He gave his two precious rings to his sister for safekeeping. She gave them to me. Excellent. A day after his return home he naturally asked me for them back. Where did I put the darn things? The search churned up several alerts that, once again, I need to clean out the drawers. Receipts from 2013? Yup. It took a while but I finally forced myself to just stop. And think. They were right where I left them. In his desk drawer.
Thanks for the nudge to keep de-cluttering, Naomi. I can’t believe how often I need it.
Kelly L McKenzie recently posted…Blessings Post Widowhood
I do that all the time! I think my brain takes vacations… I can’t seem to remember anything these days!
It’s always wonderful when we make decisions that allows us to feel better isn’t it? Sounds like you’ve tackled some big areas – good for you! And what an interesting way to work on projects – clockwise in sections.
Deborah Weber recently posted…Random Musing: H is for…
Well, I need some sort of plan, right? Lol.
What a great post Naomi! Very timely for me too. I moved 2 months ago, downsized, and had to get rid of so much stuff. I sold or donated my larger pieces of furniture and took numerous bags of stuff to Goodwill. There was definitely some letting go that took place especially with an antique oak dining room set which I’d had for 40 years. All in all, it was cathartic and I now have less stuff. It’s not material things that make me happy. It’s relationships and experiences that are important to me. So a big shout out to both of us for decluttering!
Nancy Jambor recently posted…Compassion Opens my Heart
Woo hoo!!! So many Goodwill trips over here too lately. And I still feel like we have too much stuff. I just packed up my garage into a storage pod and found it ridiculous that we had all these things I never even realized!