Let's Talk Clutter

December, 2011

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Hello All,

The last month of 2011 and a very busy holiday season!  Excitement, fun and stress all wrapped in one! 

This month I wanted to focus on clutter......what is it, what it costs and what to do with it.  I know that seems like a strange thing to focus on in a month of giving but I wanted to help you begin to think about 2012 and how to do things better.  I want you to begin to think differently about your "things" in the coming year and begin to come up with a plan to become more organized so you can begin to live life better!

In January we will talk about filing papers....UGH, my least favorite thing to do but an essential ingredient in staying on top of the mounds of paper that come into our lives daily.

 What is clutter? 

I know that sounds like an incredibly easy question to answer but when you get to the nitty gritty of looking at your things individually, it is a little more complicated. 

Here are some definitions of clutter: 

Clutter is stuck energy.  

which means to coagulate -
and that's about as stuck as you can get."
Karen Kingston 

to fill or cover with scattered or disordered things that impede movement or reduce effectiveness

Webster Dictionary

 a confused or disordered state or

 collection; a jumble

Free Dictionary

"Anything that complicates your life and prevents you from living in peace as you live out your purpose."

Nancy Twigg

"any distraction that gets in the way of a remarkable life."

Erin Doland

In my experience with organizing, I can tell you that clutter is different for everyone.  Some people cannot stand for one thing to be out of place, others can tolerate a lot of things being around them and those things are useful and purposeful to them. 

The best "gut" check about your clutter is how it makes you feel.  Do you feel peaceful, purposeful, free, content in your space?  Also, can you easily find what you need, when you need it? 

If peace and contentment are not the feelings you have, then it is time to start peeling back the layers and begin the process of de-cluttering!

 Clutter has costs that you never realized or paid attention to because the costs are not very apparent.  

   Clutter costs: 

Stress for you and family members

What To Do About Clutter

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So you have decided it is time to get rid of the clutter.....now what?

There are several ways to rid yourself of clutter:

Give away to charities

Hold a Yard Sale

Sell at Consignment Shops

Sell at online yard sale sites

Sell on Ebay

Sell on Craigslist

Give away to family members

(although do not make them your dumping ground just because you don't really want to make a hard decision about the item)

Recycle

Freecycle

(this is a free site that allows you to post items that you want to give away to people that may need them)

Shred Paper

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I am available to help you are your family members begin the process of

de-cluttering.  I am very well aware of how emotional this process can be but I am also very excited to tell you that it is a very worthwhile process.  I have seen firsthand the physical and emotional benefits my clients have received when they did the hard work of getting rid of clutter.  

Gift Certificates are available for you to purchase hours of organizing for someone you know that is ready to begin this process!   

January is Get Organized Month so begin thinking now how you will become more organized in 2012! 

Merry Christmas and Happy De-Cluttering! 

Peggy

phone: 252.670.2951