Clearing Mental Clutter

Posted on May 22, 2013 by moreen

Today we welcome Hazel Thornton as guest blogger in this space. Hazel is a Professional Organizer colleague living and working in New Mexico, USA. She is the originator of the popular Clutter Flow Charts. This post recently appeared on her blog at http://org4life.com. Glad to have you with us, Hazel!

Clutter comes in many forms. If you are worried about something, but aren’t doing anything about it — or can’t do anything about it — it’s mental clutter. For any persistent, worrisome thought, ask yourself: Can you do something about it? If you think so, or if you don’t think so, or if you’re not sure — think again just to make sure. If the answer is yes — you can do something about it – great! Do it! The pure fact that you are doing something about it will help you to not worry about it so much.

Why can’t you part with your mental clutter? Here are some reasons why this is difficult:

You’re afraid of not having, or being, enough. Is this because you are comparing yourself to others? Stop it! Have a little faith in yourself.
You’re anxious about the future. Being prepared for actual, likely events is the key to a peaceful mind.
You regret the past and feel guilty. Forgive yourself and move on. Yes, it’s easy to say, but very important to do. In the words of Maya Angelou, “When you know better, you do better.” You know better now.
You’re concerned about what others think. Follow Dr. Seuss’ advice: “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.”

Are your fears realistic? You probably think they are, and you may need a second opinion on this. The bottom line: If you can’t do anything about it, it’s clutter.

What should you do with your mental clutter? Stop worrying about the things you cannot change (such as someone else’s behavior). Put your focus on things you are grateful for, and on the things you can change (such as your own behavior). Examples: preparing for emergencies; planning for your financial future; repairing (or releasing) damaged relationships; addressing health issues head on. If the task ahead seems daunting, break it down into smaller steps. Do them one at a time until you are finished, or feel prepared, or have established the new habit that will improve your life and help you worry less.

What if, despite your best intentions, you are still living with mental clutter? If a week (or other self-imposed deadline) has gone by since you decided to try not worrying about things you cannot change, ask for help from a friend, therapist, clergy member, professional organizer, or someone who can help with your specific situation – doctor, financial planner, personal trainer, attorney, etc.

What’s on your mind? Is it clutter? How do YOU clear mental clutter?

Please share in the comments below!

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Copyright 2013 by Hazel Thornton, Organized For Life.
Hazel Thornton is a Professional Organizer at Organized For Life in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the creator of The Clutter Flow Chart Collection. You can purchase Clutter Flow Charts, and learn about her organizing services at www.org4life.com.

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Spring Organizing

Posted on May 8, 2013 by moreen

Spring: It’s a time of renewal, a fresh start. Grass and flowers begin to grow and bloom. Birds that fly south in the fall begin to return. It’s all about the future.

We don’t deal with the extreme cleaning our ancestors did, however we are still programmed to do something significant when spring arrives.

One way to eliminate the winter blahs is to organize your space. You’ll feel lighter by eliminating excess stuff and preparing to wear lighter clothing—one of the joys of warmer weather!

Closets:
Focusing on the future, why not make space for it? Clear closets of clothing, shoes, and handbags you’re not wearing to create space for new acquisitions. You probably have a good idea of what you wore in the winter and what you didn’t. Now is the time to eliminate the latter.

Please don’t keep items you think you’ll fit into once you’ve lost weight. Treat yourself to new clothing once you’ve reached your goal. This can be a compelling reward to persevere towards that goal.

While you’re at it, try on all your spring and summer clothing too and pass on anything that doesn’t fit or that you don’t like any more.

Paper:
Now that tax season is almost over, it’s a great time to clear your paper files of any old credit card statements, bank statements, utility bills, etc. You might be surprised to find that you have paperwork going back several years. I suggest keeping one year of back paperwork only and shredding the rest. If you’re a small business, remember to keep any of these documents that support your income taxes with the return for at least six years. I keep mine for seven years then shred all the older ones. And, of course, you must keep your old tax returns for six years in case of audit. Please use a cross-cut shredder for increased security.

Auto:
Now that winter is gone, it’s time to remove all the seasonal safety items in the trunk and/or back seat. You won’t need that blanket or shovel for a few months. Once everything is out, clean the space and purchase inexpensive laundry baskets for the trunk to corral items you still need to carry with you. Choose a dark colour so they don’t look grungy after a while.

Garage/Garden Shed:
Spring is a great time to organize your garage and garden shed while the days are warm, but not too warm. It won’t be long until it’s time to bring out your lawnmower, so now is a good time to check it to ensure it’s ready to go when you are. Check your garden tools and toss the broken ones, purchase replacements if the ones going are ones you use frequently.

When storing winter items such as shovels, toboggans, skis, etc. set up a hanging system on the garage or shed walls for items that can be hung. This will save tripping over them if they’re strewn on the floor. It’s a safety issue as well as a good organizing habit to develop.

So, let’s get organized for the seasons to come. With the chores behind you, you’ll be better able to enjoy your future without being reminded of tasks undone.

Where will you begin your spring cleaning/organizing? Please share your ideas in the comments section below? We’d love to hear from you!

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We would be honored for you to reprint this article. If you do, please include the resource box below with the hyperlinks intact.

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Moreen Torpy is the De-Clutter Coach, a Trained Professional Organizer, Author, and Speaker. Her new book is Going Forward: Downsizing, Moving and Settling In. See www.GoForwardDownsize.com for more about the book including where to purchase it, and www.decluttercoach.ca to learn about her organizing services and other books.

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Earth Day 2013

Posted on April 24, 2013 by moreen

We’ve just celebrated Earth Day again, and I wonder how much attention we pay to this, in the real sense. Sure, there were events and presentations, photo ops and speeches, but what really results from those?

A couple of years ago, I learned about the Story of Stuff, of how our material goods are produced and mostly end up in the landfill. It talks about how we accumulate (read CONSUME) so much that 99 per cent of it is sent to disposal (landfill) within six months. Hard to imagine we’re so careless about this! (View the video by clicking the link above.)

So what does all of this have to do with organizing? By taking responsibility for our earth, our home, we’re being organized as well as responsible, caring and many other adjectives that describe our values.

So, the only effective way to reduce what goes into landfill is to reduce our consumption. By doing this, less will need to be produced, resulting in less pollution to our air and water by the manufacturing and transportation processes.

Another way to help our environment is to not send to the landfill anything that’s been identified as hazardous waste. By now, I think we all know about electronics (cell phones, computers, printers, etc.), but there are other items that may be a surprise.

I recently learned about some hazardous waste that surprised me. Things like nail polish, jewelry cleaner, drain cleaner, metal polish (chrome on your auto, silver and brass in the home), batteries, and so many more. In my lifetime, I remember most of the items listed being poured down the drain or dropped in the garbage can.

The better news here is that some cosmetics manufacturers have decided to remove carcinogens from their products in response to pressure from various groups in the USA. I believe it’s worthwhile to follow this important initiative, especially for those who wear nail polish.

These days, there are Hazardous Waste Depots in most places. While their hours and/or distance may not be convenient, for the health of our earth, it’s worth making the effort to take your hazardous waste items there. Even if you make one trip a year with all the items you’ve accumulated since last time, will help.

So, we have come a long way, even knowing what is hazardous and not. It’s a good beginning. Now let’s get organized and use our Hazardous Waste Depot, no matter which city we live in, to help keep our earth clean?

What can you do to preserve the health of our earth? Please share your ideas in the comments box below? We’d love to hear from you.

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We would be honored for you to reprint this article. If you do, please include the resource box below with the hyperlinks intact.

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