Clutter Busting Coach

…clearing clutter from your mind, body and space

Clutter Busting

A Balanced Life

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What’s in a word? A lot. For those that may follow my posts you know that I have given up making resolutions and have instead chosen a word or theme for the year.

This year’s word is balance. So, of course, I had to look up the definition. According to www.dictionary.com:

bal·ance

noun

1. a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equal distribution of weight, amount, etc.

2. something used to produce equilibrium; counterpoise.

3. mental steadiness or emotional stability; habit of calm behavior, judgment, etc.

4. a state of bodily equilibrium: He lost his balance and fell down the stairs.

5. an instrument for determining weight, typically by the equilibrium of a bar with a fulcrum at the center, from each end of which is suspended a scale or pan, one holding an object of known weight, and the other holding the object to be weighed.

For me, balance in 2014 means calmness and steadiness. I am aiming for having various aspects of my life feel more equal. First focus is on play time…leisure and recreational activities. What will that be?

Clutter Busting: Let go of perfect

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Strive for excellence. Let go of your perfect plan.

“Some of us (perfectionists, especially) fuss so much over making the ‘right’ choice, but in life, all that’s really needed is to make any’ good’ choice, believe in it, go through with it, and accept the consequences.”
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How many projects do you have that are unfinished? How many times have made the same resolution?

Here are a few techniques to avoid procrastination, stop seeking perfectionism and start achieving your goals. [Read more…] about Clutter Busting: Let go of perfect

Clutter Busting- Regifting

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Does gift giving stress you out during the holiday season? Do you have some gifts that could be regifted to get rid of some of your clutter and bring joy to someone else? What is regifting?

Regift- To give an unwanted gift to someone else; to give as a gift something one previously received as a gift.  Webster’s New Millennium™ Dictionary of English, Preview Edition (v 0.9.6).

Regifting has gained in popularity and more than half of adults recently surveyed by Money Management Institute find regifting acceptable. And the etiquette experts at the Emily Post Institute approve of the practice in some circumstances.

If you are considering regifting this holiday season, ask yourself the following questions:

What is your intention?  Be sure that the recipient will appreciate the item.   If you are regifting simply because you ran out of time, gift cards are simple to obtain and always well received.

Is the gift a good candidate?  Some gifts that are good candidates for regifting include good (unopened) bottles of wine, new household items and inexpensive jewelry.

What is the condition?  Only new, unopened gifts in good condition should be considered for regifting.

Is this going to work?  Only regift items to people who are not likely to see the original giver.

How does it appear?  Gift bags in good condition can be reused, but wrapping paper is a one-time use.  And always use a new card or gift tag.

Can you keep the secret?  If you don’t plan to announce the gift as a regift you need to be able to keep the secret and you need to be able to not feel guilty about regifting.

Have you looked at all your options?  Gifts can be donated to a charitable organization or can be donated as drawing prizes for fundraisers.

So consider regifting this season to help take some of the stress out of gift giving. There is also the National Regifting Day on December 19, 2013.

 

 

 

Holiday Countdown – Checking in

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We are now 4-1/2 weeks away from Christmas. Where are you with your holiday planning? If you started around November 1 you should be making some progress on your task list and hopefully you are feeling less stressed.

Have you been able to break your task list down and handle a little bit at a time?

Even if you are just getting started here are some ideas to divide and conquer your holiday task list in four weeks:

  • Select two days each week to work on your holiday to-do list. Write it in your calendar.
  • Group errands together. Buy all the children’s gifts at the same time. Buy staples and stocking stuffers from the same store.
  • Delegate tasks to other household members. Get your family members (based on age and skill level) to help with items still left on the “to do” list such as decorating, baking, wrapping, shopping or decorating.

Make your plan and work your plan and your holiday will be joyful instead of stressful.

 

 

Holiday Countdown- Find Quiet Time

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At times silence may seem undesirable. We want friends to talk to and people around us. We get caught into the hustle and bustle of the holidays with so much to do? Silent Night? Are you kidding?

Find some time during the holiday season to soothe your soul. Don’t get so busy you cannot enjoy the beauty of the season. Here are some ideas: [Read more…] about Holiday Countdown- Find Quiet Time