The Organized Life archives

WHAT YOUR CLUTTER MIGHT BE SAYING ABOUT YOU

Dear Subscriber,

Clutter talks. Just as we make a statement with the clothes we wear and the cars we drive, the environments we live and work in say a lot about us.

Clutter -- the stuff we accumulate and avoid -- often communicates “stuckness.” The stuff that’s stuck in our homes and offices represents something in our lives that’s also stuck. I’ve discovered that people who are ready to confront their clutter have recognized this correlation by dealing successfully with other challenges. They’ve “unstuck” themselves in one area of their lives, and now they’re ready to change what their environment has to say about it.

This newsletter is about the language of clutter. It’s about making sure that everything you own says positive things about you to yourself and the world. And as a bonus I’ve included my own three-step “Decluttering Diet” at the end that shows you how to transform your space into a positive one easily, effectively – and quickly.

Clutter and Weight
People are often ready to declutter their spaces when they’ve successfully lost a few pounds. They’ve realized that the physical weight they lost is still symbolically present in their cluttered environments; now they’re ready to lighten that load, too.

Clutter and Unhealthy Relationships
Others are struggling to break free of unhealthy relationships. Even though they’ve left the relationship behind, the “stuff” from that time remains. It’s a painful reminder of the past, yet because it’s familiar it’s hard to let go of. Familiarity is a powerful pull. But after summoning up the courage to leave the relationship, they’re ready to let go of its reminders, too.

Clutter and Major Life Changes
Moving, having a baby, establishing a home office – sometimes a person’s new life is stuck in the world of their old life. Their old belongings don’t make sense in their new space, or their life has changed in some other important respect; either way their environment hasn’t kept up.

You know you’re stuck when it seems like everything is in your way, nothing seems to have a good home, it’s hard to find the things you want: every move in your space feels somehow constrained.

When you feel this way, it’s time to go on a “Decluttering Diet”.

My Own "Decluttering Diet"
I created this easy yet effective three-point “diet” years ago when I needed to lose several pounds; I’ve used it with great success ever since whenever I’ve wanted to slim down. Its mindful approach to eating has direct parallels for decluttering. Use it in good health!

Point #1: Put your fork down between bites. This has the effect of slowing you down, giving your body the time it needs to feel “full”. Use this precept as you declutter: before you bring one new more new thing into your home, stop yourself for a moment. Go home, mentally place that thing in its new home, and see if it fits.

If it still seems like a valuable contribution to your home, then and only then go back to the store and buy it. But never bring in something new without a moment of hesitation, a moment to consider your true need for this item.

Point #2: Always leave a bite on your plate. Despite what Mom might have told you, the “clean-your-plate club” has no place in a world where we need to control our worst impulses. The point of this is twofold: you signal to yourself and the universe – whose cooperation you need to make this happen – that you have eaten enough. And you make the point to yourself and everyone around you (especially waiters!) that no, you don’t need any dessert, thank you.

Here the parallel is the following: “leave a bite on your plate” by getting rid of one extra thing for every item you bring into your home. For example, when you buy a new pair of shoes, let go of two of something else: two pairs of shoes, two old t-shirts, two purses you haven’t carried in years…

Point #3: Never, ever eat between meals. This point is perhaps the most obvious, yet it can be the most difficult. Because yes, popcorn at the movies counts as calories. In terms of clarifying and decluttering your environment, take nothing for granted: really try to understand what your things are saying to you and about you. If there’s any negativity at all, let it go. You will be richly rewarded for the rigor you bring to this part of the “diet”.

With a mindful approach like this nothing is forbidden, but there are no substitutes, tricks, or extreme methods. It’s about common sense, discipline, and intention. You can create a beautiful environment with no limits except feeling great about everything around you.

Over time you will notice your environment becoming more attuned to who you really are; the stuff you don’t need thins itself out naturally -- even easily -- as you get into practice.

Try it. I think you’ll be surprised at the power you possess to shape your environment into a place that says beautiful things about you.

Until next month, Happy Organizing!

Sincerely,

Ann Bingley Gallops
The Organized Life

ORGANIZING DISCOVERY OF THE MONTH

Here’s a simple fix for organizing recipes. So many of us collect them, cutting them out of magazines and printing them from the internet, but they get into a jumble very easily if we’re not careful. I’ve found that once I try a recipe – and like it – it works best to separate it from the other recipes I may try someday by placing in its own special file called “Recipes Tried & Liked.”

This file sits in the desktop hanging file I keep near (not in!) my kitchen, the same file holder that contains other household necessities like stamps and address labels, current receipts, and takeout menus. I'm a lot more likely to re-use this delicious recipe when I can find it so easily!

ABOUT Ann Bingley Gallops

Ann is a Feng Shui consultant and Decluttering Consultant in New York City, specializing in improving the energy flow and organization of homes and businesses.  She is 2007-2008 President of the New York chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO-NY).

GETTING IN TOUCH

Call or write to schedule a Feng Shui or Decluttering consultation for your home or office in the New York City area.

And please drop me a line with comments, questions, or suggestions for future newsletters.

Ann Bingley Gallops
The Organized Life
646-382-3878
ann@theorganizedlife.net
www.theorganizedlife.net