Archive for April, 2008

Unclog your arteries, a mini lesson

• Clutter. Stuff. Most of us know it on some level. In the kitchen, in the entry, on the dining table, in the office, in the bedroom… ever-growing piles of mail, gadgets, files, clothes, you name it, it can clog the arteries of our homes and offices. (Piles beget piles).

• All this clutter is filling up space that can be used more productively. It also looks bad, distracts us and blocks the natural flow of energy and plain ‘ol air trying to meander though the house. But spring is here and now is the perfect time to start clearing away some of that clutter to make room for fresh air, and new energy you need and want.

• First of all, let’s talk about what clutter is. An item that is no longer useful, but is kept around for months or even years is clutter.If clutter is largely made up of the things we no longer use, why keep it at all? Our reasons could be that we spent good money for it, we don’t want to waste the resources used to make it (or the money we spent), because someone gave it to us, it’s an antique, or we sincerely believe that we may need it someday, even if it’s 20 years from now.  The roots for these reasons can run deep in our psyche which can lead to clutter-clearing anxiety. But sorting through things to let some go doesn’t have to feel this way.

• Before starting, remember that the negative consequences of getting rid of any one item won’t be too bad. You may feel disappointment that a long-planned art project didn’t work out, but when you move that Key Chains of the World sculpture hanging outside your closet, you’re more likely to feel a sense of release and relief than anything else. It’s just like getting in shape, start small and build as you go. And, invite a friend, a clutter-clearing buddy to help –you can promise to help them with their stuff next week.

• When you’re ready to start block out at least two hours (three is better) and plan to start on just one small area in one room. Make sure you have a big clean spot in the hall to dump one drawer, shelf, or pile at a time. Sort things into bags or containers pre-labeled as: garbage, recycle, donate, return, sell, keep in this room, goes in another room, and “transition”. This last one has special rules if you’re going to use it, so go to our website and download our organizing tips.

• Guilt will want to get the best of you, so ask your clutter-clearing buddy to help you stick to the guidelines of what to keep. Ask yourself these questions: Has it been used in the last year? If the answer is no, let it go. Is it useful on a regular basis? No means it has to go. (“But what about holiday decorations?” you ask. Well this might be one of those containers you don’t use often, but every year it comes out of the basement or attic, so it can stay.) Another question to ask yourself is: Does it make a unique or personal contribution to my life? This is great to ask of antiques and family heirlooms. Again, if you answer no, let it find a new home. Finally, do you have more than one? After all, who needs five pairs of scissors in one drawer? Our local donation list can help you decide where to give those no-longer-needed quality items.

• When you’ve reached the end of the time you blocked out, or the end of your room, put the things you’re keeping away (methodically and neatly) and congratulate yourself. Turn on your favorite music and dance like no one’s watching. Get that stuff out of your system, shake loose all the anxiety and tension, and boogie – you did it!!

• You’ve given yourself a new lease on life, and your space. You’ve just created room to receive what you really want. Now you can get clear about what that is.

• Imagine how you’re going to feel when the whole house is clutter free.

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