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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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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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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I’ve often suggest to my clients that they keep a journal to help them along their journey.
Journaling is simply writing down your thoughts and feelings to understand them more clearly. And if you struggle with stress, depression, or anxiety, keeping a journal can help you gain control of your emotions and improve your mental health.
Why is journaling good for your health?
Journaling can provide stress relief and boost your physical and mental health. Writing not only relieves stress and improves your mood, but it also boosts your immune system, which helps your body to withstand the effects of further stress.
5 Ways to Journal and Declutter Your Life
James Clear is an exceptional author who focuses on lifestyle habits that influence our productivity. He recently designed an adaptable notebook that he calls the Clear Habit Journal. The intention is to make it easier to build better habits that is rooted in the most effective behavioral science techniques.
Here’s an inside sample of the 5 different ways you can journal by asking just one question per day.
JOURNAL
What happened today? (Daily Journal)
What am I grateful for today? (Gratitude Journal)
What is my most important task today? (Productivity Journal)
How did I sleep last night? (Sleep Journal)
How do I feel today? (Mood Journal)
I highly recommend keeping a journal, especially if you are in the midst of decluttering your life.
The benefits will be invaluable.
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Rarely is clutter recognized as a significant source of stress in our lives, yet “Eighty-four percent of recently stressed Americans say they worry that their home isn’t clean or organized enough, and within that group, 55 percent called it out as a source of recent stress.” (Huff Post)
When dirty dishes are piled, laundry overflows and your belongings are scattered about, your stress level rises. Trust me when I tell you, clutter & stress is real.
It is estimated that over a course of a lifetime, we will spend a total of 3,680 hours or 153 days searching for lost items; phones, keys , eyeglasses and paperwork are at the top of the list. (The Daily Mail)
When we are stressed out, it not only creates physical clutter, but it causes mental and body clutter as well. What you may not realize is that stress is inflammatory. Inflammation breaks the mind and body down and leaves us vulnerable to sickness and disease.
This is why being organized is so important to our health.
Clutter depletes your quality of life and raises the potential for serious health issues. It is one of the major sources of stress and can exacerbate medical conditions. When a person is under the influence of a significant amount of clutter, their well-being is compromised, leaving them feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, anxious, depressed and even hopeless.
These unsettling feelings are not only attached to the person who is struggling with clutter but their loved ones as well. It’s not hard to understand then why the home organization industry has grown by leaps and bounds and today has 32 chapters, with more than 4,000 members in 22 countries. (Fast Company)
The same goes for the workplace. The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) found in their study that disorganization can lead to financial losses equivalent to 10 per cent of a manager’s salary. NAPO also states that 80 per cent of the clutter in the office is a result from being disorganized and not due to a lack of space.
Some studies reveal the average person wastes up to 4.3 hours a week looking for papers, which adds stress and frustration to the workplace while reducing concentration and creative thinking – while cleaning professionals say that getting rid of excess clutter would eliminate 40 per cent of the cleaning work needed.
Understand this. When your environment is cluttered, the chaos restricts your ability to focus. The clutter also limits your brain’s ability to process information. Clutter makes you distracted and unable to process information as well as you do in an uncluttered, organized, and serene environment. (Princeton University.)
This is why including “health care strategies”for clutter control in the workplace is critical.
Stress-Free Lifestyle Tools To Conquer Clutter In The Home And Office
Mindful Tools For Organized Living is the most elite and complete step-by-step program that will help remedy these situations long before they get out of control. Implementing best practices for a healthy body and mind is a key factor in overcoming clutter and disorganization and living a healthier life. Although part of the challenge is underdeveloped skill sets with organization, it is not the only culprit to having clutter. To penetrate the problem and resolve it entirely, it is necessary to engage lifestyle tools that embody wellness for the body, mind and environment.
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The wellness industry grew 12.8% in the past two years.
Want to know why?
Because people are tired of being sick and are seeking answers!
The trendy phrase “workplace wellness” (where most employees only received lip service on initiatives) is now being replaced with real “health care strategies” to gain back the trust of their employees.
Want to know why?
Because employers are tired of losing money on sick people!
So what does this have to do with living an organized life?
EVERYTHING!
Statistics show that organized people feel better and stay healthy.
Want to know why?
Because when a person is productive and focused they are happier and less stressed.
What you may not know is that there are millions of people who have compounded health issues due to clutter.
Want to know why?
Because clutter and disorganization produce stress. Stress is inflammatory and affects your health.
In 2019, I want to help as many people as possible get organized so they feel less stress and live healthier lives.
Want to know why?
Because I see everyday the devastation clutter causes and how it affects a person’s quality of life.
Join me in my FREE webinar and let me show you how you can get healthy in 2019.
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One of the Top Ten Resolutions people put on their list is getting ORGANIZED.
Because I believe in the health benefits of being organized, I wanted to let you know that I will be offering my FREE webinar “Get Organized” once again.
All you have to do is register and you can be on your way to a stress-free, organized life in 2019!
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Year after year, getting ORGANIZED consistently ranks as one of the Top Ten New Year Resolutions.
Being organized provides so many benefits. Here’s what you can expect once you’re organized:
Peace of Mind
Increased Productivity
Reduced Stress
Improved Relationships
Better Health
Cost Savings
My goal for 2019 is to help women become aware of the benefits of being organized so they can live healthier lives. That’s why I redesigned my website.
Now you can book a FREE call with me, purchase my books and products and read informative news on my blog. (Oh, and I updated the About Me page with some juicy info.) You can check it all out here!
2019 can be the year you finally get organized. All you have to do is decide you want it to be!
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