“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.”
Well, I recently learned that the accurate quote, according to Quote Investigator, is…
“Insanity is repeating the same mistakes and expecting different results.”
Now, I’m not here to steal Einstein’s thunder, (I actually have a “thing” for the MAN) but I found it pretty interesting that there is quite a distinction between the two quotes.
Did you happen to catch it?
Repeating the same mistakes is insanity.
NOT doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
Here’s why.
If you do something over and over again, such as exercising, and you are looking for a different result with your body appearance or emotional health, how is that insane? It’s not. It’s logical and practical that you will see a different result.
But if you keep repeating the same mistakes, such as not opening your mail, or not doing the laundry or overspending, and expecting a different result, that’s more in line with insane thinking. Not only will you get the same results but it will get worse.
Are you following me here?
It’s like my Mindfulness Program – there are 6 Mindful Tools that you repeat over and over until you start seeing the results of living a clutter-free life. And it works!
Insanity would be not repeating the mindful tools and expecting them to work. Big Mistake!
What mistakes are you making in your life that you keep repeating and looking for a different result?
If you’ve been trying to declutter your life, perhaps there are some “things” you could be doing differently to get you the REAL results you deserve.
Let’s talk about it and see what we can come up with so you can finally stop the insanity and get the results you deserve. (I think Einstein would like that!)
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Sometimes life doesn’t go the way you planned. A heath setback, career change or end of a relationship can cause mental stress. Stress that may feel unfamiliar and scary at times.
If we are open to it, we can usually find helpful tips that can ease the transition a little more gently while on the bumpy path of life. Anything that can lighten the heaviness and safeguard your well-being is a plus.
During fragile times, it’s not uncommon however to revert to unhealthy choices. Unfortunately when we choose this course, we eventually find that all we did was delay our healing and progress. We come to learn that trying to fill a void with “things” just doesn’t work – and all you’re left with is the burden of excess; too much of this and too much of that.
In my book, Organically Yours, I give you concrete action oriented steps and spiritual practices to help you come to terms with some of life’s little challenges. The idea is to grow and learn from your experience so you’re equipped with the right tools for life’s ups and downs.
It can be life altering when you walk toward the light and make bright healthy choices rather than running with fear and making impulsive, random decisions.
You see, I understand this familiar path. I’ve been there. And I can share with you that amidst the chaos it is possible to find the calm by reconnecting with yourself. Your light is there.
Organically Yourstakes a holistic approach to healing utilizing the body, mind and living environment. I found all three are equally important for a balanced life, especially in times of turmoil.
I’ve combined the book with training videos and a workbook that walks you through each component of the body, mind and living space. You also get additional bonus items when you take me up on my special offer that you don’t want to miss! (You’ll have access to my inside secrets I learned when I was going through a difficult time.)
You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Go ahead, your brighter self will thank you for it!
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A few signs along the way after teaching my Mindfulness Course in Florida. We are all so unique and special and although our stories may be different we are all the same – and we all need kindness, love and support. Here’s to staying mindful!
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Let’s talk about happiness and clutter for a moment…
Do you think you are really happy if you have clutter? I want you to really think hard about that question.
Studies show that when we are unhappy we behave poorly – simply meaning we tend to develop unhealthy habits.
And let’s face it – having excessive clutter is a bad habit.
Unhappy people tend to focus on the negative and the stressors in their life, whereas happy people go right to the fondness, nostalgia, and beauty parts, regardless of their challenges, chaos or tragedy they may have experienced.
With unhappiness, there’s a looming sense of dissatisfaction with life. When there’s a genuine lack of self-satisfaction it’s understandable then why a person may internalize that their not “enough” when they feel that life didn’t give them enough.
It makes sense then why people need to acquire and desperately hold onto “things.” Clutter helps fill the empty void in their life and produces a false sense of happiness. Happiness from things only lasts so long.
In the very first module of Mindful Tools for Organized Living,I have my students work through the root cause of their clutter. This gives them the opportunity to peer into the past and look for clues that may indicate the onset of their clutter habit.
This insight is invaluable as it provides further clarity into the trigger points of clutter moving forward.
How to get rid of negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones
How to quickly and easily change your thoughts to a winner’s mindset
With the right tools and conscious effort, you can start thinking like a conqueror of clutter, and crush that negative self-talk.For example, instead of saying to yourself, ” I’ll never get out from under all of this mess. Who am I kidding, I’ll always have clutter.”
You will learn how to cancel out negativity and replace it with positive words like,
” I may have been disorganized in the past, but that was then and this is now. I love being clutter-free.”
You owe it to yourself to open your mind and learn new strategies to live a healthier, clutter-free life.
Begin today and watch your mind shift and your life transform!
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The unbearable heaviness of clutter remains heavy on my heart.
I have witnessed countless women suffer from the unbearable heaviness of clutter.
Their suffering remains heavy on my heart…
Until the day arrives when they are set free from the clutter.
Unfortunately, many women procrastinate a very long time before they finally take action. The latest research gives us a little insight into why…
“A recent study published in Current Psychology, found a substantial link between procrastination and clutter problems. Procrastination is closely tied to clutter, because sorting through and tossing items is a task that many people find unpleasant and avoid. It takes time to file away important papers or sort through a dining room table buried under books.”
Stress is also a huge problem with clutter. We know that stress is inflammatory and causes problems with the immune system. Clutter and stress are a toxic combination.
Research shows that there is a “growing body of evidence that clutter can negatively impact mental well-being, particularly among women. Clutter can also induce a physiological response, including increased levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.” I can give you countless reasons why I advocate for women to get organized…all of them lead to a healthier life.
Check out this article from The New York Times – you’ll see what I mean.
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Health and wellness touch each of us differently. This is one person’s story.
From early fall through the coldest months of the year, I’ve learned to expect (and manage) my seasonal affective disorder (SAD). As someone who also lives with an anxiety disorder and identifies as a highly sensitive person (HSP), I tend to look for the things I can control in my world.
Every August, without fail, I sit down to write my “winter prep list,” in which I check off areas of my home that need organizing and decluttering. Usually by November, my old coats have been donated, the floors have been scrubbed, and everything feels as if it’s in its proper place.
One of my first lines of defense in the battle against mental health challenges has always been to get organized. I’m preparing for those tough days when I won’t be able to lift a mop, let alone put a plate in the dishwasher.
It turns out my thinking is rooted in scientific studies that show organization is an effective tool to achieve a healthier life, both mentally and physically.
One study found that the physical act of tidying up one’s house can make a person more active and healthier overall.
Many professional organizers sing the praises of improving one’s mental health through organizing, including Patricia Diesel, an organizing expert, clutter coach, and the creator of a program called Mindful Tools for Organized Living.
As a certified chronic disorganization specialist and a hoarding specialist, Diesel has witnessed the power of organization in people’s lives.
“Addressing the emotional and mental components of clutter is critical to the underlying cause. I believe that clutter is an outward manifestation that mirrors the body and mind on overwhelm,” she explains.
5 small ways to organize for your mental health
If you’re in the throes of depression or healing from a panic attack, the thought of cleaning can certainly be overwhelming. But I also know clutter tends to make me descend even further into a negative mood. So, I’ve discovered my own ways to tackle organization without letting it tackle me.
Here are five ways to muddle through the clutter, even on your most challenging mental health days.
1. Throw perfection out the window
Even when I’ve been at my lowest, I’d often put pressure on myself to make things look “perfect.”
I’ve since learned perfection and mental health conditions tend to be in direct opposition of one another. The healthier route is to accept that my house may not look flawless during the winter months. If things are generally organized, I can accept the wayward dust bunny that may cross my path.
Diesel agrees with this approach as well.
“Organizing is not about perfection,” she says. “It’s about a quality of life standard. Everyone’s standards are different. As long as the organized environment is in alignment with those standards and it is not infringing upon a quality of life that is obstructing or detrimental to that person’s life, then usually a person will find acceptance and peace from that.”
Let go of your idea of “perfect,” and instead aim for a level of organization that doesn’t hurt your quality of life.
2. Break everything down into bite-sized pieces
Since overwhelm is a big deal to those who wrestle with mental health disorders, like anxiety, Diesel recommends breaking up an organization project into palatable pieces.
“I help people look at the overall project that needs to get done… then we break it down into different categories. Then we rate the priority of each category, and begin with the level that reduces the anxiety the most,” she explains.
“The goal is to have the person see the entire project, and then help them see how to accomplish it in a manageable way.”
Diesel recommends devoting 15 to 20 minutes per day to doing things that need to get done, like doing a load of laundry or sorting the mail.
Often, a little effort can reinvigorate the mind and build momentum toward increasing a feeling of motivation. But that’s not always the case if you’re living with a mental health issue. Be kind to yourself if you miss a day or are only able to commit to 10 minutes.
3. Let go of items that don’t serve you
Physical clutter often creates clutter in the mind, especially if that clutter has taken over your life and space. Diesel helps those with hoarding disorders, sharing tips that can benefit non-hoarders as well.
“It’s not so much about getting organized as it is about how to release and part with their things without shame or guilt. Once this is accomplished, the organizing is usually not an issue,” she says.
Diesel emphasizes the importance of considering what makes an item truly “valuable” as opposed to something you think might be valuable based on fear or other emotions.
4. Remove distractions
Being highly sensitive means I have a sensory disorder that can become overloaded very quickly. Loud noises, an abundance of clutter, and a to-do list in plain sight can instantly break my focus and pull me away from whatever project I’m working on.
When I’m getting organized, I make my surroundings as soothing as possible through peace and quiet. I set aside a block of time when I know I won’t be pulled away.
5. Visualize the end result
Out of all my mental health challenges, seasonal depression is the one that wrings me dry of any motivation to clean or get organized. Diesel says that’s because depression can create a mindset that feels defeated. In this case, it’s key to emphasize the final goal.
“I help people see the vision of the end result, and we use additional tools to help that vision come alive, whether it’s with a vision board or through journaling. The overall goal is to help them feel empowered,” she says.
And if all else fails, remember that you can always ask for help if you need it.
“People who suffer with disorganization is the body and mind on overwhelm, so having a support system and mindfulness tools to go to is extremely important for stability. Support is paramount,” Diesel says.
Shelby Deering is a lifestyle writer based in Madison, Wisconsin, with a master’s degree in journalism. She specializes in writing about wellness and for the past 13 years has contributed to national outlets including Prevention, Runner’s World, Well+Good, and more. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her meditating, searching for new organic beauty products, or exploring local trails with her husband and corgi, Ginger.
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If you’re struggling with excessive clutter, it’s practically a guarantee you’re experiencing one (or all) of the 3 Deadly P’s:
Perfectionism. Procrastination. Paralysis.
One of the biggest stumbling blocks I see for women who are trying desperately to get organized is they over-think “things.”
They have an idea in their head the way “things” are supposed to be that they get caught up in perfectionism and never take action.
Now, why is this deadly?
Because perfectionism actually leads to procrastination and then…
Yes, you go it.
Paralysis. (Overwhelm)
And there you have it…a very vicious cycle.
Sometimes things have to get “messy” before they get better. Decluttering is a perfect (excuse the pun) example of this. There’s going to be some turmoil.
Yet, what most don’t realize is that it doesn’t have to be pure chaos.
If you follow a system with step-by-step strategies, everything will fall into place neatly and orderly.
One of the strategies that I noticed resulted in making the MOST progress for my clients is imposing deadlines.
Now I can hear some backlash …
“I don’t do well with set time frames. It feels to restrictive.”
Yes, but here’s the thing.
Clutter loves the fact that you’re a free-bird with no routine, schedule or plan.
Case in point…
Without a time management system to follow you can expect the clutter to be hanging around. GUARANTEED.
Having effective time management skills is important in just about any area of your life. But for clutter control purposes…
You get to rely on a process where you exercise conscious control of your time spent on specific tasks without the worry, fear or overwhelm of over-thinking.
This is how you overcome clutter.
For now, I challenge you to set a workable deadline at a pace that stretches your comfort zone. This may include using tools that you are not familiar working with; a timer, calendar, planner.
NOT at a pace that’s going to burn you out or cause anxiety. You want to begin in a way that gives you a good experience so you can build your momentum.
Only you can determine what a reasonable yet challenging deadline is.
However, a deadline can be one of the Golden Rules of Organizing. For example, “I’ll spend 15/20 minutes per day tidying up.”
Deadlines can also be for an overall project. Such as “I’ll give myself 30 days to declutter all my closets.”
When you see how well this works for you, in no time you’ll feel more inspired and confident to tackle the bigger elephant in the room (Um, that would be the rest of the clutter) and smash the Deadly P’s for good!
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