It takes courage to crawl when you feel like you can’t move and everything is a struggle.
But remember, that one little movement, that tiny little crawl, can springboard change.
If you’re buried beneath the clutter, exhausted by the mental chaos, don’t underestimate the power you have inside of you! You’re stronger than you think.
Start with something just enough to get the wheels in motion – it doesn’t matter how small it is.
For now crawling is courage – remember that. It’s okay. Things will change with movement.
Did you know that an estimated 75 to 90 percent of all doctor visits are for stress-related issues and ailments? (American Psychological Association)
And did you also know that most clutter cases are usually stress-related as well?
In today’s society we are triggered by many things that leave us feeling stressed out. The problem is, If we don’t learn how to deal with the stress it will eventually build up and manifest itself in unhealthy ways.
Stress does affect our body, mind and living environment.
I’m going to be teaching a class on how to tame the stress and calm the clutter. If you’re interested, you can check it out by clicking on the link below.
With all my classes, I have limited amount of seating available, so be sure to register early to avoid being wait-listed.
https://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.png00KISNhttps://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.pngKISN2019-08-21 12:43:522019-08-21 12:47:32I'm Teaching A New Class On How To Tame Your Stress
There are many events that can take place in life and alter our course.
Some examples are:
Divorce/Ending of a Relationship
Care Giving
Illness/Death
Career Change/Retirement
Denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance are a part of the framework that makes up our learning to live with these life changes.
It’s not unusual during these different stages to try and manage our emotions in an effort to comfort ourselves and feel better. Unfortunately we may not make the best decisions at the time and end up overeating, overspending and over drinking. All of which lead to clutter of the body, mind and environment.
We can also feel pure exhaustion and overwhelm and find it difficult to get things done that used to be part of our usual routine. This can include our household chores as well as our own self-care.
We are all human and there will be times when we will hurt. This is when we realize just how fragile we are. Being kind and patient with ourselves is key for our well-being.
As we begin to heal, we accept that life has changed and we find ourselves asking questions, such as:
What are the changes I need to make and how do I go about doing it?
Each person is different, therefore determining the proper strategy for your needs are unique to you. Working with a life coach to help you figure things out just might be the first step in the right direction.
If you’re interested, I’d like to offer you a free, no obligation consultation. Together we can discuss what changes are necessary for you to overcome the obstacles you are now facing.
Insight is invaluable. Inspiration is powerful. Action is life changing.
https://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.png00KISNhttps://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.pngKISN2019-04-08 14:46:012019-04-08 15:37:19How To Handle Events That Change Your Life Course
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.
https://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.png00KISNhttps://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.pngKISN2019-03-12 20:29:142019-03-13 13:09:42How To Get Out Of A Clutter Rut Fast
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!
https://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.png00KISNhttps://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.pngKISN2019-03-06 22:46:352019-03-17 17:52:03Sometimes You Can't Do It Alone
Home, sweet home is an expression of delight/contentment on returning home after an absence.
Research suggests that it originated from a song from the opera Clari, or the Maid of Milan which was first performed at Covent Garden, London in 1823.
The lyrics were written by American actor and playwright John Howard Payne (1791-1852).
Popularized during the late 19th century it became an anthem for soldiers during the American Civil War.
Since my home is an actual cottage, I especially love these few lines:.
Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam, Be it ever so humble there’s no place like home! An exile from home splendor dazzles in vain; Oh, give me my lowly thatch’d cottage again! Home! Home! Sweet, sweet home! There’s no place like home!
So how are you feeling about your home these days? Is your home something you refer to as home, sweet home after an absence or do you feel anxious and overwhelmed upon your return?
In a study that surveyed residents of the US and Canada on the relationship between clutter and personal well-being, the research hypothesizes that clutter might prevent people from reaping the benefits of having a home – a place commonly associated with comfort and security.
(“The Dark Side of Home” – Journal of Environmental Psychology)
One of the key findings was that:
Clutter had a negative impact on self-reported well-being and a “strong negative impact on feelings of security, safety and other positive emotional benefits derived from a sense of psychological home,” a term that refers to the concept of “home” as a “vital source of meaning, belonging, and identity.”
The one thing I know for sure is that clutter hurts. It hurts your well-being in all aspects and robs you of having a home, sweet home.
If you’re experiencing clutter and are ready to learn some powerful strategies to take back your home, you have three things you can do immediately for a better quality of life.
1. Contact me for a complimentary Discovery Call by clicking here.
2. Invest in my on-line course that will always be a valuable resource for you by clickinghere.
3. Grab my latest book with extra bonus goodies for great wellness tips by clickinghere.
You owe it to yourself to have a home that you can feel calm and relaxed in.
Don’t wait one minute longer.
https://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.png00KISNhttps://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.pngKISN2019-02-26 16:54:102019-02-26 16:58:02Home, Sweet Home
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!
https://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.png00KISNhttps://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.pngKISN2019-02-11 13:55:282019-02-11 13:57:44A Reminder We Can All Use
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.
https://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.png00KISNhttps://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.pngKISN2019-01-18 12:00:542019-05-30 16:28:025 Small Ways to Get Organized When Your Depression Has Other Ideas
Living out your dream is living your life on purpose. It’s exciting to watch a person who is living their dream. The energy and passion is contagious. I love being around people like that.
Here’s what I want you to know.
It’s never too late to bring your dreams into life. The truth is, the world is always a better place when we are creating from a life source that is light and full of positive energy…love.
Take Jeanne for example. She always dreamed of having her own business. Deep inside, Jeanne knew from the time she was a very small girl that art was her calling. There’s a sentimental story wrapped around her love for art. With a little help and support, Jeanne was able to transform all that love into an art program that helps children tap into their inner artist. I’m so proud to announce Jeanne’s new business:
The Joy of Art; Encouraging the Spark of Creativity in Children
Here’s Jeanne working on her dream at at my Cottage.
Jeanne is very busy working on all the details of her dream. She’s also written an eBook for children, The Joy Of Art; Teaching Kids To Have Fun With Paint to be released soon. Jeanne is now working on getting her website up and running and a host of art programs for children. All built from a dream based on love.
Would you like to live out your dream and bring more love into the world? Can you imagine what that would look like and feel like? I can! Like I said, it’s amazing and such an exciting experience to watch before your very eyes a dream come true.
If you would like to learn more about how to work with me one-on-one at my Cottage to fulfill your dreams, then this is your chance. For a limited amount of time, I will be opening up a few more workshops. The Cottage is a great place to be inspired and dream big. Remember, dreams really do come true but you have to take action. If you’ve been waiting for the time to have someone help you live out your purpose, the time is NOW.
Click on the link below, complete the connect with me form and submit it. Once I receive it, I will personally call you to discuss your dreams and how we can work together at the Cottage. Space is limited.
https://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.png00KISNhttps://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.pngKISN2018-06-05 16:08:362018-06-05 16:32:51BRING YOUR DREAM INTO REALITY
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
