I recently offered a workshop on De-Cluttering Your Life and decided to come up with a new list of tips which really speak to the emotional clutter as well as the physical clutter.
1. Spend some time alone everyday and think about what is important in your life. Set priorities and then break these down into goals/tasks that are doable for the month, week, day. Focus on what is most important to you.
2. Don’t bring in the mail. Flyers and junk mail can be put right into the recycling bin. Get rid of everything except for the items that you need to take Action or To File.
3. Always have a ready for donation box or bag. As you come across things you don’t love or don’t use they can go directly into the box for donation. This can become a great habit. Also, a good idea to get these out to the car or taken directly to the charity of your choice as soon as possible.
4. Don’t buy it!! Become aware of your shopping and acquiring habits. A lot of us tend to go shopping as a pastime and end up purchasing items that are not needed and end up not being used, shoved in the closet/drawer, tags still on, etc. If you do not need or love it don’t buy it!!
5. Only watch good tv or read good books!! Cancel newspaper or magazine subscriptions unless you love them and they enhance your life. If not, they are just costing you money and taking up space. Think about making a list of what you don’t want and/or are no longer willing to put up with. Your time is valuable. Use it wisely!!
6. Streamline your social networks and/or email, etc. You can opt out of emails that you are receiving in your inbox that you don’t have an interest in or do not seem to make time for.
7. Say NO to things that matter less. Focus on the priorities in your life and set boundaries with others. Think about whether it is your problem and then you can make a choice about taking it on or not. Become more clear about what you are willing to allow in your life. State your limits.
8. Downsize Your Closet – Limit Your Hangers!! They say that 80% of the time we wear the same 20% of our clothing. Keep the clothes that you love and that fit well. Donate or discard everything else. Let others enjoy what you are not using.
9. Decide to have less stuff!! The less stuff you have, the easier it is to get organized and stay organized. Buy less. Get rid of more. Less stuff means less clutter which means more clarity in your life.
10. Think about how you can “feng shui” your home – open windows, burn candles or incense, move the furniture around, get the energy moving…..get rid of the clutter and make space for something new.
Do you have some great ideas or tips on how to have less clutter in your life? I would love to hear from you. Please let me know in the comments below.
Kim, I read about your thoughts on Facebook and I’m so impressed. You really have developed a life of which you should be proud. I don’t get to London that often, but I’d love to catch up if you’re willing.
Betty
Thanks Betty!! Yes, of course, I would love to meet up with you when you come to London – let me know when you plan to visit and we can meet up 🙂