Archive for clutter
How Much “Stuff” Do I Really Need?
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I’m sure, like me, you’ve asked yourself many times, “how much stuff do I really need” or said, “I have way too much stuff” or “I need to get rid of some of this clutter”.
Every year my town offers a shredding day where old papers, checks, junk mail and other useless papers are recycled into a large travelling truck. And each year as I round up all these worthless pieces of paper for the shredder truck, I can’t help but wonder how I manage to accumulate so much stuff.
Maybe, you are organized and don’t accumulate clutter. If so, congratulations! But most of us find ourselves with more “stuff” than we know what to do with.
Even though there are times when I can proudly say I’ve streamline my stuff and got rid things I no longer find useful, beautiful or interesting, I still find myself surrounded by some clutter!
And I’ll bet you do too!
Does any of this stuff sound familiar to you?
- An overstuffed closet filled with relics that you know you won’t ever wear or fit into again
- The drawer stuffed with enough pens, pencils, staples and tape to supply 10 small offices for a year
- Furniture stored in the attic or basement that is broken or you no longer want or use
- Stacks of all occasion cards you’ll forget to send
- Hundreds of obsolete cassette tapes on which you have nothing to play them
- A bookshelf lined with books you won’t read or re-read
- Toys you’re holding on to even though your children are all grown up
- Old magazines that by now you’ve forgotten the article you wanted to save
Ask yourself:
If I didn’t have all this clutter, what spaces would open up for me to have more of the things that really matter to me the most?
It all comes down to what you really need to foster the best results for your life!
I’m not talking about the individuals who amass an excessive amount of possessions that are hazardous, worthless or unsanitary and causes peril in their daily living (i.e., showering, cleaning, cooking, sleeping). This type of compulsive behavior is mental health disorder known as hoarding.
Most of us don’t fall into that category.
Those of us who have too much stuff generally lead busy, hectic lives with limited time and energy to pare down and de-clutter.
From time to time, we’ve all experienced a cluttered workspace or home environment. But, I have learned to question my thoughts and examine what else may be going on in my life when clutter leads to disorganization and overwhelm. For example, when I let my desk get cluttered, it usually means I’m procrastinating. It’s important to consider what underlying thoughts you have about cluttering. For instance, if you constantly send messages to yourself that you’re sloppy, disorganized and unproductive, you’ve successfully trained your mind to respond to a belief that limits you from taking action. Or the underlying belief may be that having all of your “things” out where you can see them gives you a feeling of control.
You may want to find out if your town has a shredding day so you can begin the process of getting rid of some of your stuff – the unnecessary papers – so you can make room to thrive and grow. You will think clearly, create more order in your surroundings and free up energy to focus on the things that are most important to you.
And, to help you take charge of clutter and have more personal control in your life, I invite you to get your FREE Special Report: “Building Strong Boundaries to Create More Breathing Space in Your Hectic Life” for more tips, insights and guidance.
What are you willing to do now to start getting rid of some of your “stuff“?
Gladys Anderson - Life Coach, Therapist, Author
Gladys Anderson helps nurses, teachers, social workers, therapists and other care-giving women to set limits so they have more time, more joy and more energy for self-care.
It’s Time to De-clutter and Spruce Up Your Life
Posted by: | CommentsFinally, I can see the grass peeking out from under the mounds of snow that accumulated this winter. It’s hard to believe but Spring is just around the corner.
You know what that means…
It’s time to de-clutter and spruce up your life.
photo credit: MarkWallaceimage
And, I don’t just mean your physical surroundings. It doesn’t matter what you’re holding onto past its prime (a relationship gone sour, faded out theater tickets, an assortment of playbills or the jeans that are two sizes too small), it’s time to do a major overhaul – starting from the inside out.
I collect shoes like most people collect antiques or model cars. Yes, I can identify with Imelda Marcus, the ultimate shoe collector. Although I don’t have nearly as many pairs of shoes as Ms. Marcus, I do have my fair share and many more that I can ever wear or need. Maybe you don’t aspire to collect shoes but I bet you have something in your life that’s taking up space – crowding out opportunities, comfort, new experiences and abundance.
Things that no longer serve a useful purpose clutter your mind and life. For example, the woman who says she is ready to attract a husband but her closet and personal space is so filled with her “things” that she has no room for anyone else’s. Where would the mate she wants to attract hang his clothes if her closet is already jam packed? Where would he place his personal belongings if every nook and cranny is filled with memorabilia, her books, and her other “stuff”?
The same holds true for mental clutter. Mental clutter is when you are consumed with negative limiting thoughts about what you can do or become, focused on what others think rather than what you desire, stuck on “what if” scenarios instead of purposely moving forward. The result is you crowd out the space for new ideas, creativity and success.
It’s time to de-clutter and spruce up your life.
Imagine holding on to every negative thought, every dormant idea, or every toxic relationship that’s taking up your precious psychic space. For example, every time you visit a website on your computer, you store something called cookies on your hard drive and eventually if you don’t get rid of them, your computer slows down to a crawl. In the same way that the cookies on your computer clog productivity, your mental capacity is diminished and ineffective if you don’t de-clutter and purge. Replace the drama queens, the relentless pessimist and the attention-seeking addict with positive, encouraging and supportive friends or just as cookies slow down your computer, you’ll bring your own progress to a screeching halt.
So, clear out that shoe closet, purge the mounds of other “stuff” and mental clutter that’s taking up your spaces leaving little or no room for you to attract the important things you say you really want.
Take a look around at your surroundings. Where can you start to de-clutter and spruce up your life so you’ll be ready for Spring?
Gladys Anderson - Life Coach, Therapist, Author
Certified life coach, family therapist and group coaching specialist, Gladys M. Anderson helps nurses, teachers, social workers, therapists and other care-giving women to set limits so they have more time, more joy and more energy for self-care. To get self-care tips and more, start by getting your FREE copy of Building Strong Boundaries to Create Breathing Space in Your Hectic Life
What I learned About Boundaries From Larry, the Cable Guy
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Yesterday evening I picked up my phone poised to dial out and there was dead silence…no dial tone, no static…nothing…
My first thought was I had inadvertently disconnected one of the many tangled cords underneath my desk. If you’ve ever had to crawl around into the abyss under your desk on your hands and knees, you know this is no small feat.
With flashlight in hand, I checked each of the sundry connections making sure they were all housed in their respective homes. From my non-techy vantage point, everything looked to be in order.
Time to place a call to the provider of my phone service, which is also my cable company.
With cell phone in had, I make the call. Little did I know this was just the beginning of my saga into the world of techno phone land. After three attempts, I finally get a “live” person and tell my story to numerous “technical support” people, including “supervisors”. No one could troubleshoot the problem from his or her end. And they couldn’t restore my service that night.
Eventually, I was told that a technician would have to come out to investigate since they couldn’t detect any problems. I reluntantly made an appoinment for the next morning.
To say I was upset is putting it mildly…
Promptly, at the appointed time, the cable guy arrived.
Once he made the required checks and counterchecks, he was able to discover the problem.
I had connected the phone line to the wrong opening on the modem!
Egg all over my face…
So what did my experience with Larry, the cable guy teach me about boundaries?
- I learned to pay close attention to where I plug in cords. It could have saved me a $30 service call! I was also reminded of the things we plug into – like time takers – rushing, holding on to clutter and disorganization. Had I used those fancy doodads that keeps cords tangle free, I might have saved myself some precious time. Pay attention to what you plug into your life. Make sure you have your boundaries established and enforce them before you get tangled up in situations that will cost you in time, energy and resources.
- I learned to ask for help even if I have to wear egg on my face, Technology is not my area of expertise I can’t do everything in all situations. Know your limitations and seek expert help when you need it. Asking for help from the people who are good at what they do means that you give yourself permission to do the things that make you an expert and the freedom to pursue your passions.
- I learned to practice patience. I confess, I’m still learning this lesson… Waiting on hold and explaining the same problem to several people gives me lots of practice. I keep the stress bunnies at bay when I practice patience. When life hands you lemons – make lemonade. Use waiting time like a breath of fresh air. Inhale deeply and relax for a few minutes to clear away the nasty little irritations, and relieve stress.
- You can learn something in almost any situation when you take the time to process it. When you are in the midst of chaos, anxious and stressful situations, stop just long enough to see if there might be a lesson in there for you.
The next time you’re on hold long enough to go make a sandwich, eat it and have some dessert. Remember you’re learning a lesson and once you learn it well you won’t have to repeat it.
What lesson have you learned today? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below and share this post with your friends.
Gladys Anderson - Life Coach, Therapist, Author
About the Author:
Gladys M. Anderson is a certified group coach, personal life coach and a licensed marriage & family therapist. Gladys helps nurses, therapists, teachers and other caregivers establish boundaries, build balance and create breathing space into their busy lives.
It’s True: You Can Get Rid of the Clutter Monster
Posted by: | CommentsDo you know that a quarter of homeowners with two-car garages use them exclusively for storage and park in the driveway?
How do we become such hostages to the jumble of odds and ends that once gave us pleasure and fond memories and now have outlived its usefulness?
This week, I finally took on the gigantic task of clearing the clutter from my basement storage area and the garage! Whew!
How many times had I said, “we really need to clear out some stuff of this stuff.” It was merely a passing comment…didn’t happen! So to solve the problem, I tried my best to ignore the growing mound of useless odds and ends that had taken over my space.
I finally could tolerate it no longer. So amongst the empty soda cans, the unused boxes of [ugly] tile, the stacks of old magazines, Christmas decorations that had outlived at least 9 lives, the leftover remnants of broken tables, unwanted gifts, non-working electronics, I set out to simplify my life starting from the outside in. I can now get in and out of my car without banging my car door into some abandoned object stored along the sides.
I realized a long time ago, I do not work well or feel productive when there is a lot of disorder. Yet, here I was, again being slowly nibbled away by the clutter monster.
Look around you; are you being steadily gobbled up by the clutter monster?
Did you know that clutter in your surroundings directly affects how you think, work, and live?
Let’s categorize what clutter may look like:
- Things you do not use or love
- Things that are untidy or disorganized
- Too many things in too small a place
- Anything unfinished or not being used
Most professional organizers focus on orderliness and systems to maintain tidy surroundings. But, I want you to also consider how orderliness and clutter can also symbolize your state of mind.
What old beliefs about letting go are you clinging to?
When you imagine decluttering, what emotions do you feel?
Are you feeling a sense of loss, or anxiety, confusion?
How do you make room for new thoughts, ideas and actions?
How do you feel when clutter gets the best of you? Is it difficult for you to make changes? Does the thought of changing make you uncomfortable?
We all may have some clutter sometimes but the best way to begin is with your thoughts about it. Change your thoughts, change your life!
Yes, I know, I’m guilty of not always practicing what I preach! I sometimes let the clutter monster come for a visit. And, it’s usually when my mind is filled with disorder. When I can think clearly and organize my thoughts, there seems to be less clutter around me. And when clutter is consuming my space, I’m less organized and focused.
When you find you’re surrounded by disorganization, holding on to things long past their prime, and ignoring the clutter, give some thought to your state of mind. Are you anxious, uncomfortable, confused, and unmotivated? If you experience any of these feelings, I’m sure you will see it reflected in your surroundings. Gobble up the clutter monster!
Gladys Anderson - Life Coach, Therapist, Author
Gladys Anderson, founder of Coach for YOUR Dreams, is a certified life coach, licensed marriage and family therapist, writer and speaker. Gladys combines years of experience, training and a genuine commitment to helping nurses, teachers, therapists and other care giving women to set limits so they have more time, and energy to devote to self-care.