Day 36 of 100
For young children, this is very easy. It is all they know. They are who they are, warts, dimples and all. They don't try and hide or pretend to be anyone, other than whom they were meant to be. Somewhere, somehow, this all changes and others' opinions about you become far more important to you than your own. With age, comes wisdom and confidence in being, doing, liking, dressing etc, the way you want!
The way your home looks only has to reflect you, no one else. You do not have to keep up with the Joneses. If you love the latest home fashion/decorating trend...great. However, if you don't, DO NOT DO IT, no matter how popular it becomes. You want to come home to a haven, made just for you. The only way you crate this is by making choices about what comes in, what stays and what goes! If you love it...keep it! The rest.....say goodbye with love and watch your space transform into the home of your dreams.
Are you being true to yourself and what you love? Does your home reflect this?
Showing posts with label clutter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label clutter. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
How to Create a Habit
Day 34 of 100
Nicole, from North Carolina sent me this, as she thought it might prove beneficial to my Clutter Therapy readers. I agree. Each day, as you spend time decluttering your 10 items, you are creating a habit that will change your life and how you look at your stuff.
HOW TO CREATE A HABIT
HABIT: an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary: No better time than the present!
HOW To's:
1. Only one habit.
2. Start small. Just commit to 10 minutes a day. This might sound too easy, but you will almost guarantee success if you do this. You can increase later.
3. Commit publicly.
4. Write your plan. Write out exactly what habit you'll be forming, when you start, what time during the day you'll be doing it, rewards you might give yourself, how you'll overcome any potential obstacles. Write it down to succeed!
5. Find a trigger. Find something you already do consistently every day -- wake up, eat breakfast, brush your teeth, shower, arrive at work, have lunch, have dinner, anything -- and tie your new habit to this trigger. Do it every day RIGHT AFTER this trigger.
6. Be consistent. Do not miss a day. Try to get a streak going -- 30 straight days! If you miss a day, keep going, but the more consistent you are, the more likely the habit will stick.
7. Report progress. Every day, report your progress.
8. Motivate. Give yourself rewards each week. In fact, give yourself a reward each of the first few days, and then weekly after that.
9 Be positive. Keep a positive attitude throughout the entire challenge to be successful. If you find yourself thinking negative thoughts, squash them like a bug! And replace them with positive thoughts. It really works.
Thank you Nicole!
Is decluttering becoming a habit for you?
Nicole, from North Carolina sent me this, as she thought it might prove beneficial to my Clutter Therapy readers. I agree. Each day, as you spend time decluttering your 10 items, you are creating a habit that will change your life and how you look at your stuff.
HOW TO CREATE A HABIT
HABIT: an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary: No better time than the present!
HOW To's:
1. Only one habit.
2. Start small. Just commit to 10 minutes a day. This might sound too easy, but you will almost guarantee success if you do this. You can increase later.
3. Commit publicly.
4. Write your plan. Write out exactly what habit you'll be forming, when you start, what time during the day you'll be doing it, rewards you might give yourself, how you'll overcome any potential obstacles. Write it down to succeed!
5. Find a trigger. Find something you already do consistently every day -- wake up, eat breakfast, brush your teeth, shower, arrive at work, have lunch, have dinner, anything -- and tie your new habit to this trigger. Do it every day RIGHT AFTER this trigger.
6. Be consistent. Do not miss a day. Try to get a streak going -- 30 straight days! If you miss a day, keep going, but the more consistent you are, the more likely the habit will stick.
7. Report progress. Every day, report your progress.
8. Motivate. Give yourself rewards each week. In fact, give yourself a reward each of the first few days, and then weekly after that.
9 Be positive. Keep a positive attitude throughout the entire challenge to be successful. If you find yourself thinking negative thoughts, squash them like a bug! And replace them with positive thoughts. It really works.
Thank you Nicole!
Is decluttering becoming a habit for you?
Friday, February 5, 2010
Reader Perseveres
Day 31 of 100
Today's post is a question from Dawn, from FB:
"I don't feel like I am doing very well. It feels like it takes all of the time I have just to maintain the place. Even if I throw away 10 things, it seems like so much stuff comes in. It seems like I'm not really getting ahead. But I did a little bit last night. Then I get so tired or one thing or another hurts, etc. I will do better though. I'm determined."
Dawn,
You can do it! Remember, new habits take time to develop and you are sorting through 40 years of stuff! That is a lot of catch up! Look to a place where you have made progress and keep that area up! In fact, go to an area that you have decluttered, whether a counter top, dresser, pantry or room and give it another look. Is there anything else you can declutter to make it "just right"? Declutter, then dust, polish and refine this area and keep it like this. Do not allow ANY clutter in and use this as your example of what you want in all areas of your life. When you feel overwhelmed, look at this area and know you can do it! As far as stuff coming in, did you read yesterday's post on shopping? Please keep me updated on your progress
Dianne
How are you progressing? Remember, excess stuff/clutter can be exhausting.
Today's post is a question from Dawn, from FB:
"I don't feel like I am doing very well. It feels like it takes all of the time I have just to maintain the place. Even if I throw away 10 things, it seems like so much stuff comes in. It seems like I'm not really getting ahead. But I did a little bit last night. Then I get so tired or one thing or another hurts, etc. I will do better though. I'm determined."
Dawn,
You can do it! Remember, new habits take time to develop and you are sorting through 40 years of stuff! That is a lot of catch up! Look to a place where you have made progress and keep that area up! In fact, go to an area that you have decluttered, whether a counter top, dresser, pantry or room and give it another look. Is there anything else you can declutter to make it "just right"? Declutter, then dust, polish and refine this area and keep it like this. Do not allow ANY clutter in and use this as your example of what you want in all areas of your life. When you feel overwhelmed, look at this area and know you can do it! As far as stuff coming in, did you read yesterday's post on shopping? Please keep me updated on your progress
Dianne
How are you progressing? Remember, excess stuff/clutter can be exhausting.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Consignment Bliss
Day 29 of 100
Today I dropped off some items to a new children's consignment shop, A Child's Closet, in downtown Watkinsville. What a great experience I had! I ran into Benjamin's parapro teacher, from when he was in first grade! (He turned 14 today.) We had fun catching up with one another. Another woman in the shop, purchased my Brio Train set right then and there for her three year old grandson, Will, who loves trains! The owner of the shop was as nice as she could be and took many of my items to consign! She even purchased one outright, for kids who come in the store to play with!
It is such a wonderful feeling to know that what you no longer need, will be useful to someone else. A friend who has bought and sold items through this shop, told me how her stroller/car seat combo was bought by a grandmother who needed this to care for her grandchild.
In today's economy, consignment particularly makes so much sense. It benefits many: You, as you free yourself of excess and make a little money, the shop owner, as you are adding to their inventory and business, and the purchaser who obtains what they needed at a discounted price! It is a win-win situation for everyone involved!
Consider your local consignment shop, as you weed out your excess and remember them the next time you are in the market for a particular item. You might as well start there...perhaps you'll come away with a bargain!
Have you found your 10 today? Do you have some items you could bring to a consignment shop?
p.s. I love that at A Child's Closet you can sign a waiver that says what doesn't sell is donated to a local charity!
Today I dropped off some items to a new children's consignment shop, A Child's Closet, in downtown Watkinsville. What a great experience I had! I ran into Benjamin's parapro teacher, from when he was in first grade! (He turned 14 today.) We had fun catching up with one another. Another woman in the shop, purchased my Brio Train set right then and there for her three year old grandson, Will, who loves trains! The owner of the shop was as nice as she could be and took many of my items to consign! She even purchased one outright, for kids who come in the store to play with!
It is such a wonderful feeling to know that what you no longer need, will be useful to someone else. A friend who has bought and sold items through this shop, told me how her stroller/car seat combo was bought by a grandmother who needed this to care for her grandchild.
In today's economy, consignment particularly makes so much sense. It benefits many: You, as you free yourself of excess and make a little money, the shop owner, as you are adding to their inventory and business, and the purchaser who obtains what they needed at a discounted price! It is a win-win situation for everyone involved!
Consider your local consignment shop, as you weed out your excess and remember them the next time you are in the market for a particular item. You might as well start there...perhaps you'll come away with a bargain!
Have you found your 10 today? Do you have some items you could bring to a consignment shop?
p.s. I love that at A Child's Closet you can sign a waiver that says what doesn't sell is donated to a local charity!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Pimento Cheese and the things we love
Day 21 of 100
I don't know exactly when it started. It was around the time of last years Masters Tournament in Augusta,Ga. My oldest son, Alexander, had an opportunity to go with my parents and their friends, who had an extra ticket. He had a wonderful time and came home talking about how amazing, clean, and organized the event was and how delicious the pimento cheese sandwiches were. I had a few pimento cheese recipes that I had made from time to time and that prompted me to make some.
Well, I got hooked! I mean truly hooked. Everyday for Breakfast since then, almost 9 months now, I have had pimento cheese on gluten free toast. On days, that I am home for lunch, ditto. On the weekend, I consume it numerous times. I have a couple of recipes that I use, depending on my mood. I also have one store brand that I keep in stock, for when I am too lazy to whip up my own. There is only one brand and one style of this particular brand that I like. It has been on sale at my grocery store this month, (BOGO) so each week, I have bought 4-6 tubs of it. Alexander also likes it for school lunches, as well. (The expiration date is far out).
The point of all this being, that you know when you like something and you know when you don't. If you like it ...KEEP it! If you don't ...let it go!
I am sure my pimento cheese addiction, will, at some point, come to an end. For now, I am getting my calcium and loving it! One day, I may wake up and it may no longer sound appealing (although at this time, I can not imagine it). Should this happen, I will stop buying large quantities of sharp cheddar and move on to whatever foods appeal to me. If my tastes change, I don't have to eat pimento cheese for b-fast the rest of my life. We can embrace what works for us and then when it no longer holds its appeal, let it go.
What are you holding on to because you use to love it? You are allowed to change your mind, tastes and opinions and do not have to keep everything you ever used or like. If it is not serving your taste now, let it go with love. Someone will love it now!
(Update on gum surgery: The Valium and IV sedative were wonderful and did the job...I barely remember a thing! The pain medicine is working, however, makes me sleepy and loopy. Other than hurting, the worst part it not being able to eat. I have been able to swallow some mashed potatoes, pudding and a milk shake. However, I miss my daily dose of Pimento Cheese!)
Have you found your daily 10?
I don't know exactly when it started. It was around the time of last years Masters Tournament in Augusta,Ga. My oldest son, Alexander, had an opportunity to go with my parents and their friends, who had an extra ticket. He had a wonderful time and came home talking about how amazing, clean, and organized the event was and how delicious the pimento cheese sandwiches were. I had a few pimento cheese recipes that I had made from time to time and that prompted me to make some.
Well, I got hooked! I mean truly hooked. Everyday for Breakfast since then, almost 9 months now, I have had pimento cheese on gluten free toast. On days, that I am home for lunch, ditto. On the weekend, I consume it numerous times. I have a couple of recipes that I use, depending on my mood. I also have one store brand that I keep in stock, for when I am too lazy to whip up my own. There is only one brand and one style of this particular brand that I like. It has been on sale at my grocery store this month, (BOGO) so each week, I have bought 4-6 tubs of it. Alexander also likes it for school lunches, as well. (The expiration date is far out).
The point of all this being, that you know when you like something and you know when you don't. If you like it ...KEEP it! If you don't ...let it go!
I am sure my pimento cheese addiction, will, at some point, come to an end. For now, I am getting my calcium and loving it! One day, I may wake up and it may no longer sound appealing (although at this time, I can not imagine it). Should this happen, I will stop buying large quantities of sharp cheddar and move on to whatever foods appeal to me. If my tastes change, I don't have to eat pimento cheese for b-fast the rest of my life. We can embrace what works for us and then when it no longer holds its appeal, let it go.
What are you holding on to because you use to love it? You are allowed to change your mind, tastes and opinions and do not have to keep everything you ever used or like. If it is not serving your taste now, let it go with love. Someone will love it now!
(Update on gum surgery: The Valium and IV sedative were wonderful and did the job...I barely remember a thing! The pain medicine is working, however, makes me sleepy and loopy. Other than hurting, the worst part it not being able to eat. I have been able to swallow some mashed potatoes, pudding and a milk shake. However, I miss my daily dose of Pimento Cheese!)
Have you found your daily 10?
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Success Sundays!
Day 19 out of 100
Each Sunday, I will post a success story from one of you! It may be a letter, e-mail, response to a post or a message on Clutter Therapy's Face Book fan page. Thank you so much for all of you responses! Please, keep them coming!
Today's letter is from Jeff:
Dianne,
I just wanted to thank you for your blog and your helpful tips and ideas for decluttering our home. My wife Kim and I accepted your 100 day challenge but we were so motivated that we each agreed to find our 10 each day. So far, we have.
It's also fun reading about you and Tim in your blog. I can just see the joy in his eyes as he's spending time on a 3 day weekend decluttering. Although, I'm sure he squeezed in time to watch football. There has to be give and take, right?
Anyway, thanks again for your blog. It has and continues to be helpful. My kids may disagree but they are coming around.
Thank You,
Jeffrey
Each Sunday, I will post a success story from one of you! It may be a letter, e-mail, response to a post or a message on Clutter Therapy's Face Book fan page. Thank you so much for all of you responses! Please, keep them coming!
Today's letter is from Jeff:
Dianne,
I just wanted to thank you for your blog and your helpful tips and ideas for decluttering our home. My wife Kim and I accepted your 100 day challenge but we were so motivated that we each agreed to find our 10 each day. So far, we have.
It's also fun reading about you and Tim in your blog. I can just see the joy in his eyes as he's spending time on a 3 day weekend decluttering. Although, I'm sure he squeezed in time to watch football. There has to be give and take, right?
Anyway, thanks again for your blog. It has and continues to be helpful. My kids may disagree but they are coming around.
Thank You,
Jeffrey
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Willie
Day 16 of 100
I am so excited! I am going to see Willie Nelson tonight with both of my brothers and dad! (Mom is not a fan.) John and Patrick have seen him numerous times, but for me and dad, it's our first time! I am really looking forward to the concert and seeing live, what I have only heard. However, I am even more excited to be spending time with all these special men in my life. With all of our crazy, busy schedules of family life, work and living in separate towns and cities, it is sometimes difficult to find the time to spend together. I feel so blessed to live close enough to my family to allow for these unique opportunities!
How can we declutter the unimportant commitments and busyness in our lives, to make time for those we love?
Go find 10!
I am so excited! I am going to see Willie Nelson tonight with both of my brothers and dad! (Mom is not a fan.) John and Patrick have seen him numerous times, but for me and dad, it's our first time! I am really looking forward to the concert and seeing live, what I have only heard. However, I am even more excited to be spending time with all these special men in my life. With all of our crazy, busy schedules of family life, work and living in separate towns and cities, it is sometimes difficult to find the time to spend together. I feel so blessed to live close enough to my family to allow for these unique opportunities!
How can we declutter the unimportant commitments and busyness in our lives, to make time for those we love?
Go find 10!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Quilts, shutters, baskets and chairs, OH MY!
Day 14 out of 100
These are things I love and have collected over the years! They make me happy and are used in my daily life. To some, they may seem like clutter, but to me they are like old friends, comforting and inviting. They make me happy! They are not up on shelves, rather a part of my everyday life, functional and beautiful. I have room for these and have invited them into my home, by making choices and letting go.
What do you love? Do you have clutter getting in the way of your enjoyment of the things you find beautiful? Go find 10 and make room for what you love!
These are things I love and have collected over the years! They make me happy and are used in my daily life. To some, they may seem like clutter, but to me they are like old friends, comforting and inviting. They make me happy! They are not up on shelves, rather a part of my everyday life, functional and beautiful. I have room for these and have invited them into my home, by making choices and letting go.
What do you love? Do you have clutter getting in the way of your enjoyment of the things you find beautiful? Go find 10 and make room for what you love!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Acorns
Day 13 of 100
We just finished the last (third) attic space! WOW, we had sure squirreled away a lot of excess! It's funny because the side I thought would have had the least clutter, actually produced quite a bit. Things had been put in front of other things. We had stuff stored, that we didn't even realize we still had! We packed up three bags of trash, more items for the consignment shop and much for Goodwill! I even went through tax documents and work records, that I am required to keep for a certain amount of years and decluttered the ones I could.
Unlike a squirrel, who consumes over the winter months what they have put away, much of the clutter in our storage spaces will never be used again.
Do you have an area like this? Go get 10!
We just finished the last (third) attic space! WOW, we had sure squirreled away a lot of excess! It's funny because the side I thought would have had the least clutter, actually produced quite a bit. Things had been put in front of other things. We had stuff stored, that we didn't even realize we still had! We packed up three bags of trash, more items for the consignment shop and much for Goodwill! I even went through tax documents and work records, that I am required to keep for a certain amount of years and decluttered the ones I could.
Unlike a squirrel, who consumes over the winter months what they have put away, much of the clutter in our storage spaces will never be used again.
Do you have an area like this? Go get 10!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Zones
Day 12 of 100
Now that you have developed the habit of decluttering each day, I want you to think about focusing on a room or area for the upcoming week. Daily work in one zone will quickly add up to a transformed room! Don't push yourself. Do your daily 10 and if so inspired to do more, keep going!
Have you found your 10?
Now that you have developed the habit of decluttering each day, I want you to think about focusing on a room or area for the upcoming week. Daily work in one zone will quickly add up to a transformed room! Don't push yourself. Do your daily 10 and if so inspired to do more, keep going!
Have you found your 10?
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Goldfish
The best part of having attic, garage and/or basement is the extra SPACE! The worst part of having an attic, garage and/or basement is the extra SPACE! We are like goldfish when it come to our stuff; if we have the space, we will fill it!
With our oldest son on a youth retreat this weekend, we decided to conquer the two huge attic spaces off each side of his bedroom, the bonus room. These are great, as far as they allow relatively easy access to holiday items, out of season clothing and clothes for the boys to grow into. However, as this space is “out of sight, out of mind” it seems to breed clutter!
We decided to begin on the right side today and decluttered a multitude of children's toys, books and clothing. We have a big pile for Goodwill, a pile of items for the local consignment shop and a very large bag of trash! This was only one side!
Tomorrow we will tackle the second side and perhaps the over head space in the hallway on Monday! I love three day weekends! I will keep you up to date and may even include pics!
Where has your clutter been breeding?
With our oldest son on a youth retreat this weekend, we decided to conquer the two huge attic spaces off each side of his bedroom, the bonus room. These are great, as far as they allow relatively easy access to holiday items, out of season clothing and clothes for the boys to grow into. However, as this space is “out of sight, out of mind” it seems to breed clutter!
We decided to begin on the right side today and decluttered a multitude of children's toys, books and clothing. We have a big pile for Goodwill, a pile of items for the local consignment shop and a very large bag of trash! This was only one side!
Tomorrow we will tackle the second side and perhaps the over head space in the hallway on Monday! I love three day weekends! I will keep you up to date and may even include pics!
Where has your clutter been breeding?
Staying Motivated:
Day 11 of 100
Now is about the time that the excitement over a new undertaking can slowly start to dwindle. It is easy to slack off slowly, without realizing it. Make a commitment to yourself to keep going! Look around your home at the areas where you have decluttered. Notice how peaceful they are and how you naturally gravitate towards these during the day. Your whole home and life can be like this all the time! You can do this! Don't let an opportunity slip by! The weekend it a perfect time to move ahead! Pick and area and get decluttering! Then plan a fun or relaxing activity to reward yourself for persevering. Make it fun and go find 10 !
Now is about the time that the excitement over a new undertaking can slowly start to dwindle. It is easy to slack off slowly, without realizing it. Make a commitment to yourself to keep going! Look around your home at the areas where you have decluttered. Notice how peaceful they are and how you naturally gravitate towards these during the day. Your whole home and life can be like this all the time! You can do this! Don't let an opportunity slip by! The weekend it a perfect time to move ahead! Pick and area and get decluttering! Then plan a fun or relaxing activity to reward yourself for persevering. Make it fun and go find 10 !
Friday, January 15, 2010
Gone Missing
Day 10 of 100
Last summer at my office, we kept tuning down the air conditioner because it was so hot! We could not get cooled off. Finally, the repair man was called to service it, as it obviously was not working properly. He went out into the scorching sun and quickly came back in to report: “They done took it!” The entire air conditioning unit had been stolen! Thieves had cut the copper lines and somehow carted it off!! No wonder we were so hot! Now, this was summer in Georgia, 100 degree temperature, 100 percent humidity. We missed it!
As you declutter, look at each item and ask yourself, “ If this went missing, would I notice, would I miss it, and would I go out and replace it if possible?” If you do not answer yes to at least one and better yet all three, it is an item you need to set free.
Today is day 10! Have you decluttered at least 100 items?!
Last summer at my office, we kept tuning down the air conditioner because it was so hot! We could not get cooled off. Finally, the repair man was called to service it, as it obviously was not working properly. He went out into the scorching sun and quickly came back in to report: “They done took it!” The entire air conditioning unit had been stolen! Thieves had cut the copper lines and somehow carted it off!! No wonder we were so hot! Now, this was summer in Georgia, 100 degree temperature, 100 percent humidity. We missed it!
As you declutter, look at each item and ask yourself, “ If this went missing, would I notice, would I miss it, and would I go out and replace it if possible?” If you do not answer yes to at least one and better yet all three, it is an item you need to set free.
Today is day 10! Have you decluttered at least 100 items?!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Nesting
Day 9 of 100
Nesting is nature's way of ensuring that when a baby is born, we can put our focus purely on him/her. We desire before hand to have everything "just so". This allows us to put all of our attention on the most important thing, our new child. Shouldn't everyday allow us to focus on who and what is most important to us? Decluttering our lives and homes allows us to do just this. Get rid of the clutter and make room for those you love.
GO find your 10!
Nesting is nature's way of ensuring that when a baby is born, we can put our focus purely on him/her. We desire before hand to have everything "just so". This allows us to put all of our attention on the most important thing, our new child. Shouldn't everyday allow us to focus on who and what is most important to us? Decluttering our lives and homes allows us to do just this. Get rid of the clutter and make room for those you love.
GO find your 10!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Big Hair
Day 8 of 100
Yesterday, while hanging upside down drying my hair, I opened up the cabinet under my bathroom sink to see if any items jumped out at me to be decluttered. Then I saw them: My HOT ROLLERS! Now, being a teenager in the 80's, in high school from '82-'86 and college '86-'90, you know I had some BIG HAIR. I can't count the perms that I endured, spiral wrap, piggy back, root waves.....what were we all thinking! I laughed out loud as I pulled them out and decided it was time to let my velvet covered, hot rollers go!
What are you holding on to from another life? Do you have a closet full of business suits, even though for the last 10 years you have been a professional artist? Do you have multiple, very complex, fancy, cooking gadgets from a first marriage that you never knew how to use? Do you have to climb over children's toys in your guest bedroom, even though your kids are in their thirties?
Examine where you are now and where you want to go. Let go of what is holding you in the past and make room for the present.
GO FIND 10!
Yesterday, while hanging upside down drying my hair, I opened up the cabinet under my bathroom sink to see if any items jumped out at me to be decluttered. Then I saw them: My HOT ROLLERS! Now, being a teenager in the 80's, in high school from '82-'86 and college '86-'90, you know I had some BIG HAIR. I can't count the perms that I endured, spiral wrap, piggy back, root waves.....what were we all thinking! I laughed out loud as I pulled them out and decided it was time to let my velvet covered, hot rollers go!
What are you holding on to from another life? Do you have a closet full of business suits, even though for the last 10 years you have been a professional artist? Do you have multiple, very complex, fancy, cooking gadgets from a first marriage that you never knew how to use? Do you have to climb over children's toys in your guest bedroom, even though your kids are in their thirties?
Examine where you are now and where you want to go. Let go of what is holding you in the past and make room for the present.
GO FIND 10!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
What exactly is Clutter?
Clutter takes on many forms: physical, emotional, relationship, body, habits, schedules and routines to name some. To begin, we are focusing on the physical form of clutter in our homes and lives.
Clutter is different for everyone. You may look at a chipped, worn vase and think it is clutter, but to me, it may be a prized possession, a heirloom passed on from a beloved grandmother.
Ask yourself as you examine an object: DO I LOVE THIS? DOES IT MAKE ME HAPPY? DOES IT MAKE ME SMILE? DO I USE/DISPLAY THIS? IT IS BEAUTIFUL TO ME? If you can not answer yes to at least one of these questions, preferably more, IT IS CLUTTER. DO NOT KEEP IT. Now, this does not mean it is junk or trash, although a lot of it may be. It is clutter to you because it is not serving you. You are serving it by giving it space in your home
If it has monetary value, sell it, donate it for a tax deduction or release it with love to someone who will treasure and appreciate it. Let it go to a home where it will be honored and valued and loved. We are not all meant to have the same taste and opinions and that is what makes us special. Allow yourself to make choices about what you surround yourself with, rather than just accepting castoffs and inherited items.
Have you found your 10?
Clutter is different for everyone. You may look at a chipped, worn vase and think it is clutter, but to me, it may be a prized possession, a heirloom passed on from a beloved grandmother.
Ask yourself as you examine an object: DO I LOVE THIS? DOES IT MAKE ME HAPPY? DOES IT MAKE ME SMILE? DO I USE/DISPLAY THIS? IT IS BEAUTIFUL TO ME? If you can not answer yes to at least one of these questions, preferably more, IT IS CLUTTER. DO NOT KEEP IT. Now, this does not mean it is junk or trash, although a lot of it may be. It is clutter to you because it is not serving you. You are serving it by giving it space in your home
If it has monetary value, sell it, donate it for a tax deduction or release it with love to someone who will treasure and appreciate it. Let it go to a home where it will be honored and valued and loved. We are not all meant to have the same taste and opinions and that is what makes us special. Allow yourself to make choices about what you surround yourself with, rather than just accepting castoffs and inherited items.
Have you found your 10?
New Skills
Day 7 of 100
My 16 year old son repaired my crashed computer this fall. He somehow saved all my files and did some "voodoo magic"...and poof...a working computer! It is amazing to me how technological advanced our children are. They are growing up in totally different world, with a whole set of skills we never imagined. Never the less, we are all capable of learning new skills. I never thought I would be able to create and write a Blog! You are never too old to make improvements, learn new skills and grow! Being Clutterfree and organized is something you can do! Just like any new skill there is a learning curve but with support you can do it!
Keep plugging away!
Have you found your 10?
My 16 year old son repaired my crashed computer this fall. He somehow saved all my files and did some "voodoo magic"...and poof...a working computer! It is amazing to me how technological advanced our children are. They are growing up in totally different world, with a whole set of skills we never imagined. Never the less, we are all capable of learning new skills. I never thought I would be able to create and write a Blog! You are never too old to make improvements, learn new skills and grow! Being Clutterfree and organized is something you can do! Just like any new skill there is a learning curve but with support you can do it!
Keep plugging away!
Have you found your 10?
Monday, January 11, 2010
Feedback:
I have received so much great feedback from many of you, regarding your progress thus far! I am thrilled to hear how many of you have embraced the Clutter Challenge! I am going to begin posting a reader success story each week to help encourage others. Send me an e-mail or post a response letting me know your success, whether it be big or small! I'll share as many as I can!
Consolidation:
Day 6 of 100
Does your shower you have three, opened shampoo bottles? Does your pantry have multiple, partially empty containers of oatmeal. In your laundry room, do you have several detergents and fabric softeners all in use? Whenever possible, consolidate these to rid the excess. Practice the principle taught when paying off debt. Use up the one with the least amount first and then move to the next and so on. Remember, each time you empty one and recycle or throw away the container it counts as one item decluttered!
What area are you going to declutter today? Go find 10!
Does your shower you have three, opened shampoo bottles? Does your pantry have multiple, partially empty containers of oatmeal. In your laundry room, do you have several detergents and fabric softeners all in use? Whenever possible, consolidate these to rid the excess. Practice the principle taught when paying off debt. Use up the one with the least amount first and then move to the next and so on. Remember, each time you empty one and recycle or throw away the container it counts as one item decluttered!
What area are you going to declutter today? Go find 10!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Natural Decluttering Opportunities
Day 5 of 100
Yesterday, we noticed a small but distinct leak under our master bathroom sink. Tim took everything out in order to repair the problem. The bathroom floor was scattered with the kind of supplies that find themselves assigned to this area. Before jumping into the shower, I quickly decluttered 20 items in less than 3 minutes. Somehow, empty containers and bottles had managed to set up house in there. I put the loose band aids in their box, dumped the empty containers in the trash and wiped out the larger container that housed some of the items. What a difference it made! I had not planned on decluttering this area but the opportunity arose and I took it.
Look around during the day and see what Natural Opportunities may be presenting themselves. Remember, it doesn't have to take big chunks of time, every little bit counts!
Have you found your 10?
Yesterday, we noticed a small but distinct leak under our master bathroom sink. Tim took everything out in order to repair the problem. The bathroom floor was scattered with the kind of supplies that find themselves assigned to this area. Before jumping into the shower, I quickly decluttered 20 items in less than 3 minutes. Somehow, empty containers and bottles had managed to set up house in there. I put the loose band aids in their box, dumped the empty containers in the trash and wiped out the larger container that housed some of the items. What a difference it made! I had not planned on decluttering this area but the opportunity arose and I took it.
Look around during the day and see what Natural Opportunities may be presenting themselves. Remember, it doesn't have to take big chunks of time, every little bit counts!
Have you found your 10?
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