Archive for decluttering
It Gets Easier
Posted by: | CommentsI looked at the declutter calendar. "Declutter under the bathroom sink." I remember when those words would have inspired terror.
But, this time I opened up the cabinet to find a wrapper to get thrown out and a jar of texturizing cream which was too thick for my fine hair. That was it. 2 minutes and done.
And it can be that way for you as well. Every time you declutter, it gets easier. Every time you say no, it gets easier.
I saw a quote the other day, something like, "If you don’t want to feel like you are always starting over, don’t quit."
Even if it’s only 5 minutes, keep going. It will get easier.
Internal Changes
Posted by: | CommentsWhen I coach or teach people, the ones that make the most progress are the ones that bring the lessons deep inside. Simplifying or any other change works better if the changes are internal as well as external.
Photo by Jeff Dargis
You can do all the time tricks in the book, but if you are still rushing to please some inner critic or because you feel you aren’t good enough you may not slow down. You need to figure out the internals. Notice what is happening.
You can work on decluttering, but if you haven’t dealt with the belief that ‘more is better’ it’s going to be a tough battle.
If you simplify your life without figuring out your values, you may be living a simplified, but boring life. One that is not for you.
Paying off your debt is great, but until you know why you got in debt in the first place you may be in the same place in a couple of years.
If you don’t practice saying no because you are afraid people won’t like you, you will always have too much to do.
Which part of simplifying gives you the most trouble? What underlying beliefs can you question?
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After writing this, I ran across this video from Brene Brown on Listening to Shame. Very helpful in seeing what might be underneath your shell.
Is it Worth it?
Posted by: | Comments
On my way to walk the beach this morning, I marveled at all the people out. Joggers and walkers. The 70 year-old man rollerblading. The elderly couple riding their bikes to the beach. A man walking his dog, holding coffee. They looked so fit and happy. I could tell this was a regular part of their day.
Many people would be envious. "They must have more time than me." "If I lived near a beach I would be out all of the time, too."
It reminded me of the chat last night I had with the money group. Someone said that it was a matter of making the time to set up their program so they know how much money they have. I posed the question,
"Is it worth it to you?"
Each person gets to make this choice, but only if they are conscious that I choice is being made.
Is it worth it to you to spend 10 min a night with the family picking up the house, so the kids can invite their friends over without you being embarrassed?
Is it worth it to you to set up mint.com so you can track your money and maybe make better money decisions?
Is it worth it to you to watch one less TV show so you can get up earlier to exercise and feel more energetic?
Is it worth it to you to drum up the energy to declutter and make decisions on what to give away?
The people that get fit or organized make different choices. They decide, "Yes, it’s worth it."
Now you get to choose.
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Photo by Ewen
Working For or Against Yourself?
Posted by: | CommentsI’ve been talking about mindset with some of my clients this week. Most of us don’t realize how important it is for success in whatever endeavor you are doing.
If you are trying to declutter and organize, if you begin your session feeling overwhelmed you only lose energy. You quit faster. And you may not start at all.
If you begin a workout thinking you are fat, out of shape and will never get stronger it’s harder to get the gumption to try. You start comparing yourself to others at the gym. And the next time you don’t even get to the gym.
If you are starting a new business, and concentrate on the overwhelm and big to do list you may procrastinate. A lot.
When you are in a negative mindset, things don’t seem to flow as well. You feel stuck or tasks feel difficult.
What is it that you are working on?
First thing is to change "working on" to "playing with". Which sounds easier, "Working on losing weight" or "Playing with losing weight."?
Next before you do your next task for your goal, stop. Ask yourself how you are feeling about this. Or feel in your body how you are feeling about this. Any jaw clenching? Knots in the stomach? Shallow breathing?
Take a couple deep breaths and visualize the outcome you want to have. See the stronger body. See the beautiful decluttered end table. See you helping others.
Then check your self-talk and counter any negativity. Instead of, "This room is so decluttered, I don’t know where to start," say, "Anywhere I start will get me closer to a decluttered room. I’ll start at the door and do one small pile today."
Sure you can accomplish things with a negative mindset, but it is easier if you are working with yourself instead of against yourself.
Get into the flow
I Don’t Know Where To Start
Posted by: | CommentsWhen I walked into my office, I started to feel crushed in. I knew it was time to do a thorough cleaning of my office. I felt the usual, "Where do I even start?" feeling. So I did what I usually do with clean up projects like this.
I tore up some paper and on each piece I wrote a section of my office to clean. I started at the door and wrote, "Top of file cabinet", "Floor next to file cabinet", "printer stand"
For my desk I broke it down even further – left desk, middle of desk, right desk, CD area, papers in inbox and cubbyhole.
I turned the pieces of paper over, mixed them up and had my daugher which paper was first. My office didn’t take nearly as long as I thought it would when I started.
I have found that often times when I don’t know where to start or I have procrastinated on something, it’s because I haven’t broken the project down far enough.
Do you have any projects that need to be broken down?
Weekly Simplicity Tips
Posted by: | CommentsIt seems summer came back to Michigan this week. So we took the opportunity to head towards to beach, take some motorcycle rides and I think today I’ll take the kids for a bike ride. Today I have one of the mile long to do lists so I need to focus so I can get out later. And probably drop some things off the list.
- Play around with the question, "What am I meant to be?"
- Practice with one strength of yours.
- Talk about advertising with your kids so they know what to be aware of.
- Lie on your couch a listen to a piece of music.
- Reflect on your long term goals.
- Write down one problem and 3 things you can learn from it.
- Think of many different ways to solve your problem.
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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 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 this holiday season?
And I love how past members say that the group works, unlike other methods they have tried.
Starts Oct 5
