I have been working on a personal project of de-cluttering which involves organizing and structuring my TIME for both work and play. It is about time managment on the one hand but also about noticing what distractions and interruptions pop in to clutter my plans. So I am writing everything I want to do in my new Franklin planner and paying more attention to what I want to happen with my day and what actually does happen.

One of the questions that came up for me is “Does every thing actually have a Purpose?” Instead of dealing with guilt and regret because I took a nap and didn’t get the laundry done Saturday or feeling aggravated that I had to spend an extra hour on my computer trying to correct some problems - I am realizing that both the ‘nap’ and the ‘computer maintenance’ had a true purpose. It wasn’t that I didn’t want these in my life but rather that I was having trouble making room for them in my time schedule.

So what I am experimenting with now is a trick that not only works for handling household clutter but also mental or emotional clutter or even ‘time clutter’!

You might call it a reality check - it seems to be true that there is only so much space in our house and likewise only so many hours in our days. So if something comes along to distract or disrupt the usual plan then my question becomes “What is it’s purpose?” If I really do need a rest then the nap has a very valid purpose and I will gladly rearrange my work flow and time structure to allow for it. If on the other hand, I am avoiding doing something else from a place of resistance, and can clearly see that the ‘purpose’ is sabotage then I can excuse the notion of the nap and move on to something else on my list.

So you can see how this de-cluttering in your environment can carry over into many areas by simply asking the question - what is the purpose? Do I use it or love it? becomes Does it nurture me or serve a bigger goal? If not, toss it out, recycle or delegate it!

If you have read my previous tips and suggestions for De-Cluttering you will recall the plan of action for selecting what you want to keep and what you are ready to eliminate. We asked: do you either ‘use it’ or ‘love it’? Maybe you found that there were quite a few things tht you really love. Sometimes a ’stuck place’ occurs when we really want to keep some special momentoes and things that have special significance for us - but what to do with them?

One of my clients has been an inspiration for me these last few weeks. I took the opportunity to actually help her with the process over several weeks of sorting through various parts of her home. One of the things that we have both enjoyed is uncovering beloved items and giving them a place of honor.

‘Kathy’ (not her real name) has been very open to this process of letting go, passing on things that could be useful or appreciated by someone else and storing away things that might one day be passed along to family or friends at a more opportune time. What Kathy is now enjoying is the new alive feelings that her home has as she is able to see and appreciate the many small things that have meaning.

We have rearranged photos to make them more attractive and enjoyable, displayed small photos and keepsakes on special shelves and wall areas that didn’t have any ‘aliveness’, added some new color and drama here and there with contact paper, scarves, greeting cards and stuffed animals,etc - all things that were there in the house but not being noticed. We found a special gold gift box to hold some special items that had been just piled in a drawer - not they are a true ‘collection’ to be enjoyed.

Just as it is important to remove objects that have any negative memories or history, it is also very important to honor and celebrate the things that recall loving memories and bring new energy; that represent the person you have now become. If you haven’t been through this process in the last 3-5 years you may be surprised at the changes that you discover about what is now important and sacred and what is not!

And don’t forget to celebrate your new sacred space - maybe a party is called for! Light some candles and bring out some refreshments and enjoy sharing your space with some friends.

You are welcome to share your success stories - click on comments.

Are you sensing it is time for letting go, releasing, transforming old beliefs, eliminating procrastination or other old patterns and behaviors? Are you feeling overwhelmed and overextended and under-nurtured? Wondering how to begin to make the shift to a new place of receiving what you really need and want for your life?

I have a suggestion to offer - let’s make it simple and perhaps even fun! My most successful way to begin anew and invite newness into my life is the process of de-cluttering.

Now you are thinking - de-cluttering is fun? decluttering is simple? Well, de-cluttering can mean different things at different times - releasing, letting go, giving away, finding new purpose or reconnecting with deep meanings behind our ’stuff’. And likely in an ongoing project of de-cluttering I will go through all of these experiences.

Esoterically I believe that clearing out the ‘old’ makes way for the ‘new’. It is the oldest of truths, that all of life is a process of destruction and creation, birth and death. ‘Things, People, Jobs, Hobbies - all cycle in an out of our lives over time. And with each ending we invite in a new creation from our desires.

So how do we decide what is genuinely ‘old’ and ready to be gone? How can we give new meaning to things we want to keep?

The following blog entries cover some basic concepts that I have found helpful - you can apply them to simple organizing your office, your closet, your home - or maybe see how they apply to your relationships or your health!

You are invited to add your comments, success stories or helpful hints after each Step.

Usually a 2 or 3 hour block is most manageable - you can get something accomplished without gettng too fatiqued. Actually book this time in on your calendar book or set a timer, then turn off the phone ringer and send the kids off somewhere, whatever it takes to make this your time.

If even an hour or two block is difficult then go for a half hour project like cleaning out the medicine cabinet or sorting through all the shoes in the bottom of your closet.

I invite you to add your thoughts or experiences: Have you had success with doing 1/2 hour a day or 1 hour every Saturday and seeing results?

Make it manageable in size so that you can get finished in your alloted time frame and experience fast feedback and sense of success. It could be a closet or even a drawer or one shelf on the bookcase. I like to start with a visible area (like my desktop) so that I will see my results daily and be inspired to do an additional area. There is a catch-22 to this though - you need to keep that desktop or bookcase clear so that it will continue to inspire.

You are welcome to add your thoughts, suggestions or feedback on this step. What area of your home, office, or life could you tackle in an hour, in 2 hours?

My most successful system is to remove everything in the target area, empty the drawer or closet or shelf, and pile everything in one pile or one big box. Next thoroughly clean the empty area - make it sparkle! If you are tempted to paint or otherwise pretty up the area make an honest assessment about your original time frame and revise if that makes sense.

This is a beautiful system if you start small and see how well it works. Even if you’re interrupted and have to leave, you don’t come back to chaos you have an empty shelf or drawer and a box of stuff waiting for you!

The main thing to remember is - pick up one item at a time to deal with, don’t lay it back down while you think about it and reach for another one!….next step tells you ‘how’ to handle it.

I invite you to add your thoughts or feedback on this step.

Here’s the basic rule for handling each ‘declutter’ item. Ask these 3 questions:
` Do I use it? (have you used it in the last 6 months, year, two years…depending on what kind of ’stuff’ you are clearing).
` Do I love it? (is it nurturing me, adding beauty and richness to my life?) 3. How shall I let it go?
` If you don’t use it or love it, then it is ready to go - shall I throw it out or give it away? is the final question - see next rule for how this should work.

How do you discern if you ‘love’ something - is it a warm fuzzy? a sweet memory? you can’t imagine living without it?

Gather together 3 or 4 trash bags or boxes. Prepare one bag or box labeled ‘Throw Out’ or “Trash”, another one labeled “Recycle” or “Give Away”. (You may need to break this one down into smaller bags such as “Donate to Library” “Take to Thrift Store” as you see what starts to emerge from the stuff you are working on).Remember to handle each item only once! If it is a keeper item then go now and put it where it belongs, on the top shelf or at the back of the drawer. Use a box (or a laundry basket works good) to put things in that need to go to various rooms of the house. Then your last step will be to take the basket around to each room and deposit the items in their appropriate places.

Decide now where and when you will dispose of the ‘recycle’ or Give Away bags OR see if you can delegate and send someone to the thrift store or the library to drop off donations.

Your suggestions or comments on this step are welcome: Have you tried a slightly different system - did it work?

Step 7. Ahhh! You can see your progress now as you complete your first project in the Clutter to Clarity system. Be with your sense of completion and acknowledge yourself!

As you assess your completed project, be aware of the new sense of openness, the new energy and sense of possibilities that you have opened up in your life. Acknowledge yourself for a job well done. This might be an appropriate time to ‘reward’ yourself in some way. And you could journal about the new beginnngs and creative ideas that start to flow about now. Also time to make your commitment to begn the next de-cluttering project and begin again at Step 1.

How do you like to reward yourself for a job well-done?

One last suggestion to assist you with Clutter Control:

This idea of clutter control is one of the biggest areas that people procrastinate on. You may want to build a support system to help see you through it (versus tackling it al on your own!). This could be finding a friend (someone not at all attached to your stuff and not afraid to hurt your feelings by asking ‘you want to keep THIS?’, more of a coach type person!). You may also want to tell others you are doing this project, announce it to your spouse for example, so the commitment is not just to yourself and you are less likely to talk yourself out of it! Being held accountable is a significant part of the process.

If you do find a lot of interesting emotions arising you may want to journal about old memories you are releasing or the old desires and dreams that have resurfaced. A coach, counselor or even an online chat group focused on clutter could help you deal with the ‘new you’ that emerges.

What are your thoughts on building a support system - how has this worked for you in other areas of your life? Do you prefer a mentor person who is successful at de-cluttering or a fellow clutter-bug?