The one thing I hear most often from people who have clutter is that they feel like they’re in a rut.
They know they are in a clutter cycle but they don’t know how to get out of it.
They describe a certain heaviness around them, as if they’re buried beneath their stuff.
That’s why the expression, “dig yourself out of a rut” gives such an accurate description of what people are up against with their clutter.
I explain that a rut is actually a an established habit. A pattern of behavior that becomes unproductive.
I go on to further explain that without the right support it can be very difficult to get out of a clutter rut.
The first step in breaking the clutter cycle is acknowledging that you need help and allowing yourself to receive it.
In the past I’ve shared my Secrets to Cure Clutter with great success for people who are experiencing overwhelm. I’ve been told that it’s like opening a potion of secret powers because they finally feel relief. It’s that potent.
Spring is right around the corner and most of you will be looking to declutter and get your surroundings in order. It’s the perfect time to take advantage of my special offer and get a jump-start on getting organized.
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Sometimes it just feels too tedious, too much, too overwhelming to get things done.
As hard as you try, and as much as you want to push through, you find yourself stopping and getting frustrated.
It’s a hard battle with clutter, especially during this time of year with tax season in full gear and papers piling up. Everything can feel, well, just too much!
This is the time when social organizing can be helpful.
Judith Kolberg writes about this in her book, Conquering Chronic Disorganization, discusses how many people find the act of organizing, sorting and weeding through difficult to do on their own. She writes about social organizing and also body doubling, which is where an organizer sits quietly, as a silent partner, and/or can facilitate by handing over paperwork, files, etc.
The key here is that the work would not be accomplished without the silent partner as a body double provides you with an anchor and a mirror.
Can you relate to this? Perhaps today is the day you recognize that you’re tired of wasting time, and getting nowhere. By working with a professional you can pull yourself out of this vicious cycle. Interestingly enough, the person helping you doesn’t have to be there in person in order for you to get things done.
I’ve worked for years virtually, helping people de-clutter their spaces, sort through their things, organize their rooms. There’s a level of comfort that provides the person the right dose of motivation and confidence to complete their tasks, simply by having me there to answer a question or give advice if needed.
With the commitment of a specified amount of time and the right dose of willingness, magic happens.
To make an appointment to see if social organizing is right for you, simply click here!
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Well, February is almost over and I know so many of you had good intentions to resolve your clutter by now.
So let me ask you this…
Why do you think you continue to struggle?
If I had to guess, I would say that you think you can go it alone. That it won’t take that long and eventually it will all go away and get better. Sound about right?
Let me share something that I learned from one of the top motivational and productivity coaches in the world, Brendon Burchard. There is something that highly productive people have in common and that is they all have support. Whether it’s a team of people or an individual coach, they all recognize that having support is paramount to their success.
Listen, whether you’re trying to figure out how to declutter and let go of your things, or organize and find homes for your stuff, there are strategies that can help you resolve your clutter much easier and faster. If you’re struggling, it’s because you’re doing it the hard way.
Perhaps it’s time for you to commit to resolving your clutter, once and for all.
As you may know, I coach people that benefit from a mindful, holistic approach to clutter-free living. I care for my clients, which is why I’m writing this note to you today. I’d like to offer you or someone you care about something – a second opinion.
My second opinion service is a time-tested process I use to determine where you (or your loved ones) are now and where you would like to go by reviewing your lifestyle goals and identifying any conditions that may need improvement.
It never hurts to know more and I want to help you and the one you care about live a stress-free, organized life.
Why now? I’ve never seen so many people hungry for wellness solutions. This includes the body, mind and living space. There’s a a lot of uncertainty in today’s world and a noticeable shift where people long for alternative methods for their well-being.
I want to help make sure the people I work with have peace of mind from being clutter-free and living a lifestyle that is conducive to the wellness they deserve. Plus, I want to provide them with the right tools to ward off any potential risk factors that may negatively influence their quality of life.
THREE POTENTIAL OUTCOMES:
I find you are in good shape and advise you to continue doing what is already working.
I find you could improve your lifestyle conditions and if I’m not a fit for your particular needs, I am happy to point you in the right direction to someone who can work with you effectively.
I find gaps in your current lifestyle and feel I could provide a significant advantage in helping you reach your wellness goals. I would then explore the idea of working together and what that would look like.
If you think you or the people you care about would benefit from a second opinion – please take advantage of my no-obligation offer by scheduling your call with me HERE!
Remember, I’m here to help.
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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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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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