Its Time To Clear Out! Clutter Busting For Every Aspect Of Your Life
'A well-ordered life is like climbing a tower; the view halfway up is better than the view from the base, and it steadily becomes finer as the horizon expands.' --William Lyon Phelps (1895 - 1985) English novelist, poet, writer
We've seen some sunshine and light is beginning to stream through the windows. Somehow, the cosiness of a room in winter takes on a different slant once the light of day falls on to it. Where the piles of papers in the colder months look as though they are about to be studied and sorted; now it just looks a mess. Items stuffed under cushions or chairs are beginning to peep out accusingly at us with a 'well, what are you going to do with me then?' Climbing over hoarded items becomes irritating. It is time for a clear out.
So where to start? Unless you are extremely disciplined about keeping things tidy, and have control over the habits of every member of your household, then there is likely to be a lot to do. But don't despair! It doesn't have to be tackled in one go. In fact, that approach, although effective for some, can cause others to refuse to begin! The best idea is to take a good hard look around your space, at home or at work, and identify which areas need to be tackled. List them, and decide which one would make the most difference to you if it was organized. Once you have made that decision, you need to ensure that you have enough time to actually do this. Allocate it in your diary. In each area break each job into smaller chunks. For example, in a bedroom there's the wardrobe, drawers, discarded clothes perhaps, piles of papers on the floor and possibly boxes of items that haven't seen the light of day for a long time.
Once you have decided where to begin, you need to think about what you are going to do with everything. What you will do with each item you touch ? keep, give away to friends or charity, sell or put in the rubbish? How much do you actually use the item? Be ruthless. Have rubbish bags to put things into straight away, and separate boxes for the selling and donating items. Deal with these as soon as possible. Have a good clean as you go along. When you put the things you really want back in place, your mood will be lifted by the order you are creating! Even if you can only do 15 minutes of sorting a day, it will soon build up and you will see a difference very quickly. One thing I do in my kitchen, which is where all the paperwork that comes through the post seems to end up, is to deal with at least 10 pieces of paper each time I am in there to make a meal. I usually find I do more than that, and leaflets etc which I held on to 'just in case', usually end up in the recycling. Keep scheduling time in your diary until you have tackled all the areas of irritation. Give yourself a reward each time you have finished each area on your list.
As well as decluttering and clearing out our physical spaces, it is the perfect time of the year to start thinking about our minds and bodies. Our bodies particularly, need a good clear out. Thinking about what we eat and drink, even following a detox programme, is one way we can clear the clutter from our bodies. Our minds can get cluttered too. With information bombarding us from almost every direction, our heads are filled with the important, trivial and downright nonsensical! How can we sort out which is which? Attempt to create more space in your mind for the information that you need by letting go of the nonsense and trivia. We are sometimes guilty of holding on to negative thoughts ? of anger, hatred, jealousy and self-doubt. Do you really need to hang on to these? Let them go. Is your mind full of everything that needs to be done? Is it overwhelming you? It's time to take a good hard look at that to-do list and eliminate what you can, learn to say 'no' and keep those spaces in your brain for what really matters to you. If it's information you are storing up there, help yourself to have a clear-out by writing it down, or putting the information onto a computer file. Does it really need to be in your head? Look at your life. Where can you simplify things? Where can you prioritize and streamline? Cut down on your activities if they are causing you stress.
Once you've done this once, don't let it get out of control again. Get a system in place. Enjoy your surroundings and feel satisfied at what you have achieved ? the evidence will be within and around you.
Kate Harper is based in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland. Check out her website http://www.harpercoaching.com
She works with people who are fed up with moaning about their lives and have decided to do something about it. If that is you, please see Kate's website. She is happy to work with people from any part of the world.
"The distance is nothing; it is only the first step that is difficult." Madame Marie du Deffand
Take your first step today and contact Kate.
 Google News Updated : Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:34:03 GMT Zimbabwe Declares Cholera Emergency - New York Times New York Times - By BARRY BEARAK JOHANNESBURG - The Zimbabwean health minister, David Parirenyatwa, has declared the nation’s cholera outbreak a national emergency and appealed for outside help, the state-controlled Herald newspaper reported on Thursday. WHO Says Zimbabwe Cholera Estimates May Be Too Low Zimbabwe declares cholera national emergency Publ.Date : Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:56:36 GMT Health Buzz: State Health Rankings and Other News - U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report - Vermont is the healthiest US state, while Louisiana is the least healthy, according to the 19th annual America's Health Rankings report, issued by the United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association, and the Partnership for Prevention ... Washington Ranked Tenth Healthiest State Florida slips in health survey Publ.Date : Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:59:46 GMT Franken's campaign protests 133 mystery ballots from Minneapolis - Minneapolis Star Tribune
Minneapolis Star Tribune - only concerned with a fair vote count when it benefits his numbers. That so many voted for this ignorant fraud in my beloved home state is … read more a source of great concern to me. Coleman campaign withdraws 650 ballot challenges Franken Demands 'Immediate and Intensive' Search for 133 Lost Ballots Publ.Date : Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:11:30 GMT Rice satisfied with Pakistan's anti-terror stance - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - Pakistan's leaders know what's at stake after the terror attack in Mumbai and have acknowledged their duty to evict terrorists and prevent future attacks, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Thursday. Video: Rice in Pakistan to Push Terror Probe Protesters in Mumbai have chanted anti-Pakistan slogans Publ.Date : Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:02:38 GMT Sports of The Times Giants Leave Door Open to a Burress Return - New York Times
New York Times - By WILLIAM C. RHODEN On Tuesday, a day after Plaxico Burress was hit with two counts of illegal weapons possession, Jerry Reese, the Giants’ general manager, broke the news to Burress: He was finished for the season, suspended without pay and fined. Report: Pierce will testify before grand jury Pierce Reportedly to Testify to Grand Jury Publ.Date : Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:20:44 GMT Hutchison takes step toward run for governor - USA Today
USA Today - WASHINGTON (AP) (AP) - US Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison took the first formal step Thursday toward a run for Texas governor, setting up what was already becoming a bruising Republican primary battle in 2010 between her and Gov. Hutchinson files to form exploratory comm. Kay Bailey Hutchison edges toward governor's run Publ.Date : Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:06:53 GMT Report critical of NY education - Bizjournals.com
Bizjournals.com - New York high schools lag behind several states when it comes to educating students who go on to college. The likelihood of a New York high school freshman enrolling in college by age 19 is 44 percent, according to a new report by the Natonal Center ... New College Cry: Affordability Colleges say they're struggling to make ends meet Publ.Date : Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:55:34 GMT Increase Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Ever feel overwhelmed by all the papers, notices, artwork, and... Read More When you embark on a life transition, the skills that... Read More Questions come my way all the time regarding my God-given... Read More What does "time" have to do with getting organized? Everything!... Read More The Mexican VillagerThe American investment banker was at the pier... Read More Our children are probably the biggest clutter creators we have... Read More We are bombarded with so many factors that perpetuate disorganization.... Read More What's in a Name?Everything.What do you do with all the... Read More The store reminded me of a well-worn slipper ? tattered... Read More 1) It's easy to have a good clear out: Not... Read More Take a look around you right now. Look away from... Read More 1. Sink to their level. Get on your knees in... Read More What does "quality of life" mean to you? If you... Read More Everytime Mary had to find a file on her computer,... Read More I've noticed that in the two years since the major... Read More From time to time I hear this question from an... Read More Staying organized can be a constant battle. The following organizing... Read More There are eight distinct steps to constructing and executing an... Read More I recently conducted a survey to look at the relationship... Read More Color-There Is No SubstituteIn anatomical illustrations you see the brain's... Read More Are you feeling overwhelmed? Have a to-do list a mile... Read More To make room for new things to come into you... Read More Are stacks of papers, mail, newspapers, and growing "to do"... Read More I'm sure most of you have heard of Zig Ziglar... Read More Coping with clutter is rarely easy. There's more involved than... Read More
Adsense
websites
Control Your Childrens Clutter!!
New Business? Changing Careers? Youve Got a Whole New Ball Game
Organized For Life
Organizing - Time is of the Essence!
Balance - And Other Things
Kids Clutter: Organizing at Every Age
Organized Living in a Disorganized World
Organization Tips - How to Set Up Your Database
Organizing Lessons from a Bookstore
10 Myths of Clutter Clearing
Clutter & Creativity
7 Little Things That You Can Do to Organize the Kids Rooms
Improve Your Workplace to Make Your Life Better
Organization Tips - How to Organise Your Computer Files
After the Clutter: 5 Steps to a New Daily Routine
Until We Go Paperless
Home Organizing Tips & Gizmos
A Personal Action Plan for Change
Calendars and Personality Type
10 Tips on Color Coding Your Paper: From Chaos to Coherence
How Can I Deal With It All?
Making Space - Letting Go of Clutter
Simple Ideas to Conquer Paper Clutter
Can You Really Improve Your Organisation Skills
Clutter Clearing Tips that Work
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Organized Living in a Disorganized World
We are bombarded with so many factors that perpetuate disorganization.... Read More
Balance - And Other Things
The Mexican VillagerThe American investment banker was at the pier... Read More
Spruce Your Environment, Spruce Your Spirit
After a long winter, this is the time of year... Read More
Creating The Perfect Closet
Your closet is often the first thing you see in... Read More
Spring Makeovers: Organizing Tips for the Home and a Virtual Makeover for You
Winter is starting to retreat, and hints of Spring are... Read More
Don?t Be A Clutter Victim
There are 3 kinds of clutter: Inner (between our ears);... Read More
Tossing and Turning
"The real question is, why do you want it? What... Read More
Relieve Vacation Stress By Planning Ahead
Cindy looks at the calendar and sighs. Ah, the end... Read More
5 Tips to Banish Clutter From Your Life For Good
Studies show that 80 percent of what we use comes... Read More
Organization and the Opposite Sex
In many of the companies I have worked in, there... Read More
Be More Productive - Books to Help You Be More and Do More!
How many of us have enough time to do everything... Read More
Four Easy Steps to An Organized Closet
The National Association of Professional Organizers has dedicated January to... Read More
Clear Your Clutter and Free Your Life
Whatever your clutter problem the answer is the same: make... Read More
Saying Goodbye to Stacks of Paper and Distractions
A daily journal will save you time, reduce stress and... Read More
Introducing the Power Hour Concept to Plough Through Mountainous Tasks
Have you ever been totally overwhelmed by a massive task... Read More
Ten Signs That Your Life Is Cluttered
How do you know if you need to clean out?... Read More
How Can I Deal With It All?
Are you feeling overwhelmed? Have a to-do list a mile... Read More
Letting Go Of Your Excuses
At this point, you have probably run across some belongings... Read More
A Personal Action Plan for Change
There are eight distinct steps to constructing and executing an... Read More
Heres A Great Way To Organize Your Work From Home Office Virtually
How to do keep track of all you have to... Read More
Get Rid Of The Clutter
You really can have a successful business and a great... Read More
How To Organize Your Paperwork
Many people have a huge challenge coping with the incoming... Read More
10 Easy Tips for Digging Out Your Desk Today
Has your polished mahogany (or modular plastic) desk been buried... Read More
Spring Cleaning
Spring is such a refreshing time- we are filled with... Read More
5 Easy Tips on Light that You Can Use to Improve Your Day
Light, Work, and YouWinter is here-and with it, short days,... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |