Clutter Busting Coach

...clearing clutter from your mind, body and space

Back to Basics: 40 Day Purge

by

While the Lenten season has passed, I would like to propose the concept of decluttering one item everyday for 40 days as a process for decluttering.

If you are still struggling to get started or were able to get rid of the trash and recyclables yet still can’t make decisions about the remaining stuff, this concept may work for you.

What if you committed to purge one item each day for the next 40 days or even the next 30 days? What impact would that make in your life? Your home? Your office?

By making this commitment it set up to make a choice each day…one step each day to getting rid of clutter and potentially more.

My experience from my 40- or 30-day challenges to myself, is that I ended up letting go of more than 30 or 40 items. Most times it is multiple items a day or even bags (small and large depending on the area).

So, are you ready to commit to a 40-day purge?

Back to Basics: Decluttering the Obvious

by

Last week, I focused on getting started in an area by getting rid of trash, recyclables and things that belong somewhere else.

I define those things from last week as starting with the obvious. Yet, I understand that what may be obvious to me, may not be to others. I also acknowledge that there are individuals that struggle with letting go of items and what seems like easy decisions to one may cause angst for another. And I am not trying to minimize that anxiety.

My goal today is to provide you with some criteria to potentially make the decision process easier. And know that as you continue the journey and make more decisions about getting rid of clutter it does get easier.

Contact me if you would like support in your clutter busting journey. Or seek help of a professional organizer. And, if needed, seek the professional assistance of a psychologist or psychiatrist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Basics: Getting Started

by

Feeling overwhelmed and having difficulty starting (or restarting or continuing) your clutter busting journey?

What is your hot spot or area that you would like to work on? If you are struggling with even starting with that decision, pick a surface in a high traffic area.

Start by visualizing the space as you would like it to look and/or function. Now focus in on that one surface. Really take a couple of minutes to get a clear picture of what a clutter-free surface or space looks and feels like. Got it? Good.

Now here are some steps to help you get started on that space:

  1. Set the timer for 15 minutes
  2. Grab a trash can and a container (to transport items) to bring to the area.
  3. Collect any items that are garbage/trash.
  4. Throw out the garbage into the trash can.
  5. Grab the container and place any items that are recyclable in it.
  6. Take the container with the recyclable item to your home’s recycling area.
  7. This is important. Return to the area you are currently working on with the container.
  8. Use the same container and gather items that belong somewhere else.
  9. Using the container to transport items return those items to where they belong.
  10. Return to the area you were working on and see the progress you have made.

If time remains, here is an opportunity to continue working on the space by going through a second time for more items or expanding to another section of the space. Or if you used your 15 minutes, schedule your next decluttering session in your calendar now.

I used this technique recently to work on decluttering my office space. By just starting on one surface, I was able to purge a lot. Remember this is about decluttering or getting rid of unwanted, unloved or unused items (definition of clutter) and not necessarily about organizing as a first step.

What area are you looking to declutter?

Back to Basics: The Clutter Busting Journey

by

For the last five weeks, I have been working toward eliminating clutter with the goal of 40 items in 40 days. I attempt to do this practice each year during this Lenten season and because the transition from winter to spring is a great time to clear away clutter.

As I reflected on this practice with about a week left to go, I realized that most of my recent posts really focused on positive thinking and inspiration. And I hope that you have found them of value. Yet it is time to get back to basics and spend some time on clutter busting.

Being clutter-free is more about a destination than a journey and I invite you to come on that journey with me over the next few weeks as I plan to share information including getting started, staying motivated, tips and techniques as well as getting unstuck.

So, come along on this journey with me.

Give it Some Space

by

Are you uncomfortable with unused space? Why do we see an empty space and think it is unused? What is we considered space as freedom or opportunity?

Having more stuff and having stuff on every surface and in every space or area can manifest itself as clutter and overwhelmed or distract you. And the more stuff you have the harder it is to maintain an area; it isn’t relaxing to see and can create chaos.

On the flip side, a space left empty can give us peace of mind. It provides less distraction. It provides freedom and allows space for other things to come into your life.

What surface can you clear off today?