Clutter Busting Coach

…clearing clutter from your mind, body and space

Clutter Busting

Clutter Busting: Paper Piles

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The problem with papers is that there are more of them in a smaller space. Think about it…how large an area do 100 sheets of paper take up as compared to 10 boxes of stuff? So it is no wonder that we can become overwhelmed with paper.

Here are three tips for dealing with paper clutter:

  1. Start filing. Just do it now. No one loves to file but when you can put your hands on what you need when you need it filing pays off. So grab a stack from your file pile and file it now for 15 minutes.
  2. Scan sentimental memories. Save letters, cards, ticket stubs, invitations or mom’s recipes digitally on your hard drive or a flash drive. Schedule 15 minutes this week to scan some of your memories.
  3. Create a binder or expanding folder to keep your most important information such as emergency contacts, contractors, home and health and car information and restaurants. You can also do this for any theme such as recipes to try or warranties. Schedule 15 minutes this week to create a binder to corral loose papers.

Decluttering your paper piles can really create room and conquer visual chaos.

Clutter Busting: Get Rid of It!

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Back in 2011 I shared the journey of clutter busting my basement. It was a pretty honest description of the process I went through find my basement (remember I do clutter busting because I have continuously clutter busted my own life). At the end of that journey, I had planned a garage sale which never happened. It was my intention to have a garage sale.

About a month ago I admitted that the garage sale wasn’t going happen in the near future and with that admission came the realization that in order to move forward I needed to get rid of the stuff I had saved with that intention in mind. So this time instead of keeping the stuff in my basement for a someday garage sale, I again sorted the items and within two weeks had moved all the boxes and bags to consignment shops, my local charity and the trash.

Having a pile, box or bag for things that need to move on is fine, but if the stuff just piles up it too becomes clutter. If you leave your stuff there too long, you may even start to bring it back into your daily life. [Read more…] about Clutter Busting: Get Rid of It!

Cluttering Busting: The Best of Intentions

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We all have the best of intentions. We start each day, each “diet”, each project and each New Year with them. We create lists, we have multiple projects going on and we intend to do it all.

Are there old intentions in your life? Are there things that you meant to do and haven’t yet gotten around to? Are there craft supplies around for the quilt you intended to make five years ago or articles kept for the book you were planning to write “someday” or is that treadmill serving as a clothes rack or has your “to do” list become so long with all the things you want to do, but you can’t seem to get to and you are now overwhelmed?

We keep our list and keep adding to it because we don’t want to feel disappointment or guilt or failure. And maybe it was a great idea to take an art class five years ago, but right now with a busy family and career that doesn’t make sense.

It is better to let go of your best intentions…to clear the incompletes from your life…so you can clear what’s holding you back and move on. What old intention are you ready to let go of?

Clutter Busting: What’s Obsolete in Your Life?

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ob·so·lete (adjective)

1. no longer in general use; fallen into disuse: an obsolete expression.

2. of a discarded or outmoded type; out of date: an obsolete battleship.

3. (of a linguistic form) no longer in use, especially, out of use for at least the past century.

4. effaced by wearing down or away.

According to www.dictionary.com obsolete is something that is no longer in use or outmoded. What in your life is no longer of use? What thoughts, feelings, tasks and possessions no longer serve you? What can you declutter from your life?

Many times we hold on to things that no longer serve us because we become emotionally connected to them or the emotion or memory associated with them. Getting rid of your stuff will free you to do more with your life and will provide a sense of vitality that will give you room to think and dream. Decluttering can make room for new opportunities such as making an area for crafting in your basement after you cleared away old files or being able to have Sunday dinner with your family now that the dining room table is clear of its piles and projects.

In order to move forward you need to let go of the past…the obsolete in your life…in order to generate room for the new opportunities awaiting you. Take a little time this week define what is obsolete in your life and get rid of it.

I have done it! I have decluttered my scrapbooking supplies and I feel excited to create again. What about you?

 

Clutter Busting: Does De-cluttering Help with Weight Loss?

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Weight-loss research has revealed a fascinating link between eliminating household clutter and achieving weight-loss success.

There is a link between bedroom clutter and kitchen clutter and excess weight.  It is suggested that bedroom clutter disrupts sleep while kitchen clutter increases stress. Both a lack of sleep and an increased level of stress can contribute to overeating and, therefore, extra weight.

Are either of these areas cluttered in your home? Do you think there might be a connection between your excess weight and the clutter in your kitchen or bedroom?