Hi, all! How are you doing? How are your goals coming? I’ve had a few slight setbacks but I’m pushing through. Besides eating clean another goal I have is to clean up the clutter in all areas of my life. I’m sick of not being able to find something when I need it. I’m sick of the way clutter weighs me down physically and emotionally. I want to make some real CHANGE in my life in this area. I’ve decided that I’m going to start with decluttering my home and then move into other areas of my life. Disclaimer: I am not an expert in this area of my life. I’ve had success at times and complete failure at other times. So, I will be learning right along with you.
Why should we declutter?
1. It reduces our stress. A disorganized home is a constant source of mental and emotional stress. When we are surrounded by clutter it has a tendency to close in on us. Psychologist Sherrie Bourg Carter in her article Why Mess Causes Stress says,
“Clutter bombards our minds with excessive stimuli (visual, olfactory, tactile), causing our senses to work overtime on stimuli that aren’t necessary or important.”
2. It saves you time. You may be wasting time finding your keys, purse, bills, briefcase, etc. I can’t tell you how often I know I have something, but then have to spend 30 minutes trying to find it.
3. A de-cluttered home helps you love yourself. If you are constantly looking around at all the things you haven’t done their tends to be a lot of guilt and self-loathing. When it is de-cluttered and your home is a sanctuary, you have much more confidence and self-love.
4. A de-cluttered home helps your relationships. There can be a lot of tension between family members when the home is cluttered. Another benefit, it keeps you from being completely mortified when someone comes over to visit. Ugh! maybe you have no idea what I’m talking about, but I sure do.
5. A de-cluttered home helps you be creative. You love to be creative and enjoy life but your house makes you want to run away. Instead of creative juices flowing when you get to your craft room you are completely overwhelmed with all that needs to be done there.
So why do you need or want to de-clutter?
Why don’t we de-clutter?
1. I don’t know where to start. It all needs to be done and I’m overwhelmed and I don’t know where to start.
2. I don’t know what to get rid of? What if I need it somewhere down the road.
3. I don’t have the time. I mean I’ve got years of clutter, I just don’t have time to start it.
4. I don’t have the items needed to organize it perfectly.
4. I don’t have a plan.
I hope to share ideas and tips on how to overcome these objections over the next few weeks. Here is a worksheet to get you started:
You can download this Here
I shared with you that I had started de-cluttering. Let me show you what I did. On New Year’s Eve, my hubby and I loaded up the truck full of de-cluttered treasures and headed to Goodwill. I can’t describe to you how good it felt to get rid of all that clutter.
The biggest reason to eliminate clutter from your life is because it will open up your mind and your life to greater possibilities, which is exactly what we want in 2015, right?? Let’s do it.
Leave a comment and let me know if you are doing this with me and let me know when you have accomplished this first challenge.
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Hi! I've been battling clutter for a couple years, really really de-cluttering. Much of the stuff is hubs'. Pack rat of pack rats, he's just started to admit it. Now his physical constraints make more necessary. Unfortunately, my physical restraints make that very difficult. I've been getting rid of crafting things I got with all good intentions to do sewing projects, etc. that my back doesn't allow anymore. Have to grieve each loss before I can get rid of each category. I can't cut patterns like I used to. :-(. He has to grieve his lost abilities too. That's holding us up. Plus we have a lot I don't want to /can't afford to just give away. I want to sell somehow, he's adamantly against that. We'll see. Wishing you success!
Janet its really hard when it's hubbies stuff because you can't just get in there and do it yourself. And you are right, their is a grieving process that takes place when it comes to dashed dreams. Good for you for realizing that. Don't give up! Thanks for stopping to leave me a comment. I really appreicate it. Have a great weekend. 🙂
I've been de-cluttering for three whole days from the kitchen to the bathroom and a closet or two. Have three huge boxes to hazmat (old lotions, scrips, vitamins, shampoos, etc.). Feels great to open a cabinet or closet door and know what's there and that it is instantly accessible. Even found some things I forgot I had!!!! Doing the garage when the weather warms up a bit. Wish me luck.
Awesome Nancy!!! So excited for you taking the plunge. It sure does feel great doesn't it. Yay!!! Keep up the great work. Thanks for stopping and letting me know what you're doing. Enjoy your weekend! Barb
Decluttering is a huge part of finding peace in the home. You will be so glad you chose to declutter your home and looks like you got a good start. 🙂 Found you at Missional Women.
Thanks so much for the enouragement. I can already feel a HUGE difference. I can't wait to continue. Thanksf ro stopping by I really appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment.
I do get the argument that you want to be well rounded and exposed to some things. Going through medical school I went in thinking I wanted to be a surgeon and actually did 2 years of surgery before I found out it was not for me and switched to another field I had experience in and liked, Radiology.