Are you familiar with the folk tale of Aladdin (the Disney movie from 1992) where he rubs a magic lamp and a genie appears and grants him 3 wishes?
It’s one of my favorite stories.
I sometimes wonder if I was granted 3 wishes like Aladdin, what I would choose and how my life would change.
So I make a little game out of it. I think really hard about the 3 wishes I would like. Then I try to figure out if I can turn those wishes into achievable goals.
It’s pretty interesting how this little game reveals some really big stuff.
I encourage you to try it.
Lately I’ve been thinking about how I can help make some of your wishes come true and turn them into achievable goals.
With Spring right around the corner, tidying up and getting organized I’m thinking might just be one of them.
If that’s the case, head on over HERE and see how I’ve created some magic just for you!
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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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The International Women’s Day 2019 campaign theme of #BalanceforBetter is a call-to-action for driving gender balance across the world.
I’m honored to be a guest speaker for a company that recognizes equality and doesn’t see barriers for moving forward. As I prepare for my presentation, I wanted to pass along to you some information that I will be sharing with my audience.
My intention is for it to move you to great accomplishments in your life that fills your heart and those of others.
“We all have hunger for a meaningful life. How do you tap into that hunger? You ask, ‘What Breaks My Heart?’ Because it is in those moments, those moments of our brokenness, we realize that it is not the past, it is not the challenges in front of us. Once we realize that, we have the power to find the solution inside. We start to hear the stirring in our own heart pointing us to something greater than who we are. And we find the answer to that Great Hunger. But we must be INTENTIONAL. “
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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.
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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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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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Have you ever met someone in your life that changed you forever?
I’ll never forget my experience with Julie and the lasting impression she had on me.
It was a warm Friday afternoon and I just finished the remainder of my iced tea that Julie poured for us earlier. I handed the glass back to Julie, and gave her a great big hug good-bye.
“You stay put, I can see my way out,” I told her.
We did a lot of de-cluttering work that day and I could see it took a lot of energy out of her.
As I headed down the driveway toward my car, I remember thinking…
I don’t want one more person to go through this. It’s just too painful.
By the time I reached my car, my emotions welled up and got the best of me.
I drove away feeling overwhelmed with sadness.
Not too long after, Julie lost her courageous battle with cancer.
That was the turning point in my career.
From that time forward, I made a decision to help people understand the importance of decluttering their life now, before a crisis occurs.
Today, I show women how to get organized in a way that combats the fear, overwhelm and procrastination so they feel empowered to change their life. (before a tragedy occurs)
It’s working. It’s making a difference. And I know it can for you too!
That’s why I’m excited to invite you to my MINDFULNESS WORKSHOP. It’s on-line and LIVE for one day only. Space is limited.
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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