I’m often asked, “What is the secret to being organized?”
I have deep empathy for people who struggle with clutter and disorganization – because I have witnessed the pain they go through.
Just this morning I was talking to one of my students about how her life has changed since she got organized – simply because she was able to say “Yes.”
Here’s what I mean by that –
I’m sure you can relate to getting all fired up about something, and then talking yourself out of it with all the reasons why it isn’t possible and why it won’t work out for you.
Well, I’m here to tell you for certain, the ONLY reason things don’t work out for you is that you keep finding all the reasons to say “no”, rather than all the reasons to say “yes.”
Because my client said “YES,” she’s now able to –
Invite people over to her home without worrying about being embarrassed by clutter
Find her things without always feeling like she’s on a scavenger hunt
Feels more peaceful and relaxed in her home which helps her sleep better at night
Experiences more joy and happiness throughout her day
When you can muster up the courage to say “yes” you’ll see yourself making similar progress.
I want to encourage you to think of what it is you’ve been really wanting, and then say “yes.” You’ll feel a shift inside you immediately.
And then, continue saying “yes” as you take each and every step until you find yourself living your best life – organized and all!
If you want my help on how to get started – all the details are here!
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Is there something you’re working on that you feel really passionate about, yet a part of you is wondering if you should keep going?
Are you starting to lose faith, (hope) and having reservations about what you originally felt so strongly about?
I understand this. I’ve had my confidence shaken before. It can feel scary, especially when you invest so much time, energy and devotion to something you care deeply about.
You start questioning whether or not you have what it takes, or is it really worth it anymore. The self-doubt starts to seep in, poisoning the very thing that used to keep your heart beating with excitement.
But, I’d like to tell you something. So please, listen up carefully.
I’ve learned a few things over the years. And one of them is that if you really, really want something, don’t give up. It may time extra work, extra time, extra energy, but if you feel strongly about your goal, it will be worth it in the end.
No matter how much your goals seem out of reach, never, never, never give up.
Sometimes, the key to perseverance is having the right mentor and coach to remind you of how worthy and deserving your goals are. A good coach will support you but also challenge you.
I’m the type of person that loves a good challenge. I’m also a coach that loves to challenge my clients.
What about you? Are you ready for a challenge?
If so, The 30 Day Challenge might be just what you need.
I’ll be the coach that will help you get your mind right.
I’ll be there every step of the way, cheering you on…
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When Mary first contacted me, she told me she was feeling a lack of motivation and extremely overwhelmed due to her excessive clutter. She was concerned that the clutter was getting out of control and it was making her feel anxious on top of everything else.
I explained to her that clutter is just an outward manifestation of what a person is feeling. The clutter can intensify these feelings, but the clutter is not the cause of her lack of motivation and overwhelm.
It’s not unusual for a person to think that their clutter is the cause of their emotional upheaval.
For example: The clutter simply mirrors back what you are feeling about yourself. So when Mary says the clutter is making her feel overwhelmed and unmotivated, what she’s really saying is that she’s feeling that way.
The way to overcome Mary’s clutter is to take a deeper look at what is causing her to feel this way. By doing so, she will eventually get to the underlying reason (root cause) of her physical clutter.
This is a very important step in the process of healing oneself of clutter. If you just try to “clean-up” the clutter without addressing the root cause, the clutter will come back. This is why we call it the cycle of clutter.
Usually the clutter gets stronger with each cycle.
Although this can at first feel uneasy, I assured Mary that by showing up and facing her fears, it would lead her to a better understanding of what’s driving her to outwardly manifest. With this new understanding she would be able to gain a fresh perspective and learn how to deal with her emotions in a more positive, healthier way.
Clutter has many faces and can deceive a person into thinking many things – it’s why I refer to it as the Great Imposter. But don’t be fooled. Your clutter is just you, trying to get your attention.
If you’re looking for more information on how to resolve your clutter, I suggest you begin with my on-line mindfulness program that will take you through all the steps necessary to living a clutter-free life.
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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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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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Everything is on sale, everything looks enticing, and everything is so tempting to buy, buy, buy.
But here’s the thing…
If you have an existing clutter problem, it’s a good idea to distinguish between what you will be purchasing versus what you will be investing in.
You see, a purchase can be a random, snap decision, based on impulse. It’s something you see, want, buy and never really give too much thought about. Usually these purchases are stress related triggers and give you a negative return.
But, when you are truly making an investment in something, you are being mindfulabout your choice. You’re considering why and how the investment will help you advance, overcome or improve some aspect of your life. The investment will give you a positive return.
Because I know the holidays are tempting times, I want to make sure that you have the right tools to keep you as organized as possible and as mindful as possible throughout the season.
And since it’s massively discounted, you will be saving on your investment that will give you a rapid return before 2019. Now that’s a bargain for Black Friday.
So if you want to live a stress-free, organized life, reduce your clutter for good, I’m going to suggest that you think about what’s most important to your overall well-being…
Gathering more stuff that will only clutter you up or making a sound investment that will improve the quality of your life?
Oh and by the way, the program has a money-back guarantee. That’s how confident I am that you will be successful with your investment. It’s a lifetime of savings.
PS: If by chance you’re new to my community and have not purchased my book, Organically Yours–
get it here and enjoy the extra bonus items to live a healthier, stress-free life.
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. Stress is inflammatory. When we are stressed out, it not only creates physical clutter, but it causes mental and body clutter as well.
Unfortunately this is a lethal combination. When a person is under the influence of a significant amount of clutter, their well-being is compromised, leaving them feeling overwhelmed, anxious and helpless. Ultimately this trickle down effect exposes itself in the workplace and productivity in many facets suffer. This puts the employee and employer in a vulnerable position which can lead to financial consequences.
6 Mindful Tools to Organized Living is a program that helps remedy this situation before it gets out of hand. Implementing best practices for a healthy body and mind is an enormous factor in overcoming clutter and disorganization. Although part of the problem 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.
If you are receptive to learning more about how the 6 Mindful Tools can benefit you personally and/or your team, I would love the opportunity to discuss this further with you and tell you about my FREE offer. Simply email me at [email protected]
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.
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Think about how many times you say you are going to do something and yet, you never do. Tomorrow passes and before you know it, weeks, months, and even years go by, and you still never do what you really want to.
I want to help you change all of that!
Take a look at what some of my clients are saying about how their life changed once they made the decision to go for it!
Since working with Patricia, I have begun to believe in myself and my dreams in a way that I never did before.I still have to pinch myself at times that I actually wrote my first book! I am a new person, more myself than ever! ~Barbara E
Patricia helped me plan for the next step in my professional life after many years of practicing law and was instrumental in helping me build my business. My gratitude to Patricia, her expertise and wisdom, is boundless! ~Andrea C
You consistently encouraged me to fulfill my dream as an artist. With your help and guidance I am building a business that I never thought possible. I am so excited about my future. Thank you Patricia for caring and being an amazing coach! ~Jeanne S
You could be next! Think about the endless possibilities that are open to you, once you make the decision to go for it! Let me help you take the first step to a better today.
CLICK HERE and drop me a note. I would love to hear from you!
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Working with clients who are ready to make their dreams a reality is one of my biggest dreams. For years I used to envision what it would be like to have clients work with me here at The Cottage. To be living this dream and creating with my clients is such an exciting and beautiful process. I’m passionately crazy about creating!
Recently, I had the pleasure of creating with Andrea Colby. Andrea is now working on her second book and launching a speaking career. But before all of this, Andrea and I worked together on many different aspects of her life’s journey as she transitioned from her legal career to becoming a coach and author. You can learn all about Andrea and her business by visiting her here!
Check out what Andrea had to say about our time at The Cottage:
“Attending Patricia’s one-on-one live workshop was an incredibly efficient and productive way to move forward in my life. Starting with Patricia’s initial questionnaire helped me focus on what I wanted to derive from our time together and working through the entire workshop, I came to several unexpected and delightful realizations about my overall goals in life, both personal and professional. Patricia was patient and urged me on to find ways of scheduling my time so that I will spend it wisely and well, doing the things that I value and enjoy. I heartily recommend Patricia’s workshop to help jump start your coaching agenda and reach your goals quickly. It was wonderful!”
The dedication Andrea has demonstrated to her personal and professional growth has quantum leaped her career and opened up boundless opportunities for her. The same can happen for you! All you need is the right support and faith in believing in your dreams. And it all can happen right here at The Cottage.
Click on the link below, complete the connect with me form and submit it. I will then contact you to provide further details about the workshop. Full Disclosure: Only two spots remain for the month of August. Is one of them yours?
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