Archive for Declutter
Are You Maintaining?
Posted by: | CommentsHow do you know you need to simplify your life? It’s when you can’t maintain your current life.
If you have so much stuff or such a big house that you don’t have enough time to clean and organize it regularly, it may be time to let go of some things.
If you don’t have enough time to eat correctly, exercise and sleep, you are not taking care of your body. And that can only go so long before things quit working correctly. If this is the case, it may be time to let go of certain commitments.
If you can’t maintain your most important personal relationships, what can you let go of?
Think about what you have in your life that you need to maintain so you are taken care to keep in good condition.
- Job
- Health
- Relationships
- Spiritual Life
- Home
- Car
- Technology
- Website/Internet Identity
- Clothes
- Bank Account
- Belongings
How can you simplify these things so your highest priorities are maintained?
1 car instead of 2. Working less hours. Working closer to home. Keeping technology that you know how to use longer, even when something "newer and better" comes along. Consolidating bank accounts and setting up automatic bill paying. Trade gym membership for walking close to home and free weights to your favorite TV programs. Declutter. Give yourself an online limit. Give yourself the first 15 min of every day to nurturing your spiritual life.
The less in your life, the easier it can be maintained. What can you do?
Clearing Space
Posted by: | CommentsLast week, I noticed on top of my bookshelf there were so many photographs that I could barely see any of them. They were a jumble.
So I packed away most of them and left only three. Now the three left can be seen clearly. That space seems more open and easier on the brain.
What space can you clear off?
Making the Bedroom More Serene
Posted by: | CommentsFor mother’s day, my husband got me a new jewelry box, because things were rather jumbled in my old one.
With the bigger box on my dresser, the dresser looked overcrowded. So I put two of the decorative boxes that were on my dresser away. I put the CD’s into one of my dresser drawers. And I put away a lace cloth things were sitting on.
Then the top of the entertainment center where the TV and books are held looked messy. I put my visual journal and supplies on a lower shelf and stored some candles so only a couple pictures of my husband and I, our anniversary candle and the light remained on top.
Look at your bedroom. How can you make it more serene? Are there any pieces you can store for now?
One Less
Posted by: | CommentsThe smoothie maker died after years of at least three smoothies a week and the hand blender’s plastic parts melted. In the same week.
We decided we could replace both with a sturdy blender that can crush ice. This time we got one with metal parts instead of plastic and a glass instead of plastic jar.
In most of our kitchens I think we have too many things that only do one action.
We don’t have the space for most things like that.
A few that we do use like the yogurt maker, bread machine and waffle maker go on a shelf in the basement when not in use.
And today I am happy to have one less thing in my kitchen.
Setting Yourself Up for Success
Posted by: | CommentsWhat are your goals this year?
One of the most effective ways of reaching any goal, is to create an environment for success.
Make it easy for yourself by having your home, office or car remind you of what you want to achieve.
If you want to lose weight, declutter your cabinets of junk food so it’s harder to grab a quick sugar rush. Declutter the kitchen table so there is only a beautiful fruit bowl.
If you want to focus and be more productive, clear off your desk of distractions and create a habit of clearing your desk daily.
Frenkie’s desk
What if you are trying to exercise more? Lay out your workout clothes the night before. Create a nice space to workout it. Have your workout DVD in the player all set up.
And I love reminders – on your phone, attached to the bulletin board, on the outside of your computer screen, in your wallet, on your fridge. Reminders of your goals, things you want to remember, photos of what you want.
How can you make your environment pull you forward?
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If you need help creating a successful environment, we’d love to have you join the Declutter Group starting Monday.
Why Declutter?
Posted by: | CommentsI like to have a decluttered house because there is more room to breathe, the move, to live.
I find it distracting if there is too much stuff around.
Some things/projects/clothes just make me feel bad and drain my energy each time I see them.
I bang my shins and elbows more when I have clutter laying around.
I don’t like to invite people over when the house is too cluttered.
An empty space gives my mind a place to rest.
I can find things.
A decluttered home represents who I am now, not who I was or what I might need in the future.
Why do you want to declutter?
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If you just can’t get started or keep it up, think about joining the declutter group, which starts Monday. Declutter Group
How to Use the Declutter Calendar
Posted by: | CommentsOK, stretching the comfort zone here. I am putting up my first video (about 2.5 minutes) on a really bad hair day.
In the video I share a few tips on using the declutter calendar (you can find it in the sidebar) and ask you for your declutter calendar tips which you can post below.
Weekly Simplicity Tips
Posted by: | CommentsI have finished the 2010 Declutter Calendar! I would love if you could send the link below to your friends and relatives that have been wanting to declutter.
This is the year you get your
house under control with My Simpler Life’s
2010 Declutter Calendar. One small area to
declutter each day of the year. Find it here:
- See the lights, smell the fragrances, and feel the coziness of the season.
- Keep breathing.
- Try a silent night (or few minutes).
- Let go of what didn’t get accomplished.
- Enjoy your food mindfully.
- Ask questions to find out more about the people around you.
- Do some annual planning.
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Is Clutter Overwhelming You?
Join me a we create a great plan for decluttering your life and enjoy fun support! I have declutter groups twice a year in January and again in the fall. I love hearing about how much people declutter during our 8 weeks together. Wouldn’t it feel great to have your home with a lot less clutter by March?
The next one starts in January:
http://www.encouragingcoach.com/programs-decluttergroup.htm
You can check out all my programs and courses here:
Think About It
Posted by: | Comments
"Do not keep anything in your home that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." -William Morris
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Photo by Bill Jacobus
Decluttering Does Not Make You More Acceptable
Posted by: | CommentsJen Louden had Freedom from Self Improvement Week last week.And I was thinking, "What if my readers are hoping to improve themselves and become better people just so they can feel more acceptable to themselves and others?" And that thought made me feel sad.
I think most of us put too much pressure on ourselves to become better so someday we can be perfect. Exhausting.
Decluttering to the point of asceticism does not mean you are a better person than when you are surrounded by clutter. A person that lives in a clutter free home is not better than the person that lives in a cluttered home. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses.
Instead, I’d love if you brought your curiousity and self-awareness to simple living and decluttering. Instead of thinking, "This house is a sty and I must be a horrible person to let this happen." think, "This house environment just isn’t working for me. What’s one small change I can make that might make a difference?"
Experiment. Try. See what works. And what doesn’t work for you and your family.
