Is your clutter overwhelming your life
This weeks post is about clutter and its impact on your big squishy brain. Short story is it messes with you. I mean it messes with all of us and does it in different ways, but clutter can weigh you down. I know that when my depression is creeping up on my that keeping the mess at a minimum is so challenging, but also so helpful.
I just finished reading Gretchen Rubin’s book Outer Order, Inner Calm. I really appreciate that she acknowledges there is no one size fits all approach to dealing with the detritus of our lives. She recognizes that some of us have different ways and reasons for why we hang on to clutter and it may take different approaches in order to let things go.
In my study of happiness, I’ve realized that for most of us, outer order contributes to inner calm-Gretchen Rubin
At one point in my life I tried to be a minimalist. I still agree with the principles, which at their core is about clearing clutter and adding value to your life. Let’s just say my sentimentality and maximalist design choices can sometimes get in the way of all that.
There were a couple of suggestions from Gretchen’s book that I thought would be great to try.
“Use a photograph to evaluate clutter”. Sometimes we get so used to the way things are that we can’t see it. So by taking a photograph you are looking at a different vantage point and can see things better.
“Move clutter out of context”. This is similar to using a photograph to see things differently. When you move the clutter into another space it is possible to see it again.
I think the best piece of advice she gives is “don’t get organized. Which seems counterinutiive, but the first thing you need to do is to get rid of stuff and once you have done that you know what you have left that needs to be organized. I’d add to that, don’t buy organizational bins or tools until you know what you are dealing with.
One habit I’ve implemented is a daily swipe of the kitchen counter. Dishes go in the sink, random things get put away, and I wipe down the counter. That daily reset keeps the kitchen counter clear. For me, keeping the kitchen counter clear means the clutter doesn’t pile up and I don’t get overwhelmed.
Your Mission
Is there one spot in your house that is the linchpin to keeping things in order? Mine is the kitchen counter. It could be your dining table, the floor in the hallway, or your bed where everything seems to end up. Step one would be to clear that area. Step two would be to figure out if there are things that keep ending up there because they don’t have a place to go. Find them their place. It will help you in the long run.
Life coaching
If your clutter is overwhelming and you want to find out more about what how Life Coaching can help, please sign up for a free half hour Curiosity Call. You can ask all the questions you have to learn about how Life Coaching can help you. Plus, I was an interior designer so I have a ton of helpful tips.
