Escape the Clutter

Sometimes it just becomes too much.  Life gets hectic.  You barely have time to catch your breath between one commitment and the next.  You race in the door at home, dump your stuff, eat if you’re lucky and then someone else wants something from you.  Things don’t get put away and tasks are half done because there’s simply not enough time for anything else.  Clutter builds up precisely at the time when you have the least time and energy to deal with it.  You look around at the mountain of physical stuff and stuff to do and it all seems insurmountable.  Am I right?

Sometimes it feels a bit like drowning.  You bob up for air, take a quick gulp that’s never enough, then there’s a touch of panic before you’re once again submerged.  And it feels like no-one’s coming to help.  But there is a way out of that downward spiral.

It’s time to escape that feeling.  Turn your back on it.  Take the time to explore a different way of living.  Try these steps.

Stop.  Stand up and yell “Stop the world, I want to get off!”  Nothing is more important than your own well-being.  So whatever it takes, take some time out.  Schedule a holiday or just an afternoon spent soaking in the tub.

Re-evaluate.  Take a look at what is working and what is not.  The idea is to repeat what works and change what doesn’t.

Do something differently.  If taking on another volunteer role isn’t working, resign from it.  Yes, you may cause some ruffled feathers, but what’s the point in getting burnt out?  If shopping every night after work leaves you stressed, plan to do one big shop at the start of the week instead.  If you just can’t face ironing at the end of the day, but the sight of the pile makes you weep, pay someone to do it for you.

Gather your team.  Those are the people you rely on and who rely on you.  Start thinking of them as your team and you are the captain.  Teams work together for a common goal.  Every team member has their part to play.  Announce the new game plan and assign positions.  In other words, delegate.  If your teenager wants you to drive her some place at a moment’s notice, but that’s not convenient, show her the bus timetable or encourage her to arrange an alternative.  Those “Mum’s Taxi” signs are a sad joke.  At the very least make it work for you.  You could say “Sure I’ll drive you, right after you’ve put a load of washing on”.

Clear the decks.  Start afresh.  Take a basket and start in one room.  Collect everything in that room that belongs elsewhere.  Now return those items to where they do belong.  Repeat for every room till the job is done.

Sit back and enjoy.  Feel the peace.  Let it wash over you.  Celebrate your escape with a vase of fresh flowers or a meal eaten at the dining table.

Ahh.  Bliss.

Planning and Renewal

Planning and Renewal are the focus of this month’s new-look Calm Space.  And doesn’t my favourite e-magazine look beautiful?  It’s cool, crisp, calming, feminine and modern.  I love it even more now.  Take a look for yourself here.  It’ll take you from stress to serenity one step at a time.

And while you’re at it, check out my article, Plan B.  I talk about what to do when things go haywire, and it may just help you avert disaster.

Success! – Creating Order 2009 Declutter Challenge!

It’s great to hear about people achieving success, so I was thrilled to receive this letter recently.

Hi Angela,

Just wanted to say a big thank you for encouraging us all to try this challenge.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m happy to say that just last week I reached my total of 2009, and am still counting.

I have listed all the items that I’ve de-cluttered as I’ve gone along, and it’s quite satisfying to read over the list and see what I’ve de-cluttered.

I shared a stall at a baby market two weeks ago with a friend, and managed to get rid of over 130 items and made a tidy profit at the same time, and this popped me over the 2009 mark.

It’ll be interesting to see the final total I reach before the end of the year.

Cheers, Deb

Congratulations, Deb.  You’re a star!

How’s your own challenge going?  I have been pottering along with mine, but am nowhere near reaching my goal yet.

I can tell you this week I have culled a LOT of business cards, old flyers, out of date paperwork.  A whole year of tax records was discarded as  it’s past the 5 years I need to keep those records.  (In Australia, it’s 5 years, not 7.  See the ATO for confirmation)  I’ve also said goodbye to some clothes as winter ended and I realised I hadn’t worn those items.

So my grand total now stands at 903.

My Mother’s Garden

My Mother’s Garden is the very moving story of one daughter’s quest to help her mother overcome compulsive hoarding disorder and live a full life.

 

See the full movie here on HowtoHelpaHoarder.com.

Wall Street Journal on Hoarding

Here’s a great article on hoarding from Melinda Beck of the Wall Street Journal.

Read it here.

And take the time to check out the comments.  It’s interesting to see so many different opinions, some uninformed but still so strong.

24 Hour Home & Work Diary Update

2 years ago I first wrote about what is, in my humble opinion, the best hardcopy diary for households.  Check out the original post here.  It was designed by Dr. Dawn Rayner-Brosnan.  Recently Dawn wrote, “My goal is a diary that a) reduces stress and the jangled feeling by the end of the day because you can plan it well; b) you feel your life is on track with short and long term goals that become do-able and you can praise yourself for small gains; c) enough space to be used for evidence for either partners who wonder what you do, or in regard to custody issues with children, or where you are caring for someone and doctor needs notes; d) a sense of space around you and your personal needs, your family and community and volunteer needs, and your business needs so you can step back and look at it with a greater sense of freedom rather than being pulled in every direction.  There will be a website next year showing multiple ways to use the diary.”

Some readers have expressed frustration at not being able to find this great product in stores.  Here’s what Dawn had to say about that, “The problem with availability of the 24 hour home and work diary has been due to retailers thinking its a new concept, and not buying enough and having to reorder…. I think the diary will become a standard item in time because sales are growing.  But until then let Collins Debden know about your problems – they love feedback, and you can order direct online either from Collins Debden.  Franklin Covey, of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People group, who do motivational talks and sell good organisational products, also have provide online sales for Australia, USA and Canada.  New Zealanders will be able to get it in shops supplied by Croxley.  By the way, the new 2010 has a questionnaire in the back for you to send to Collins so you can have input into how the future diaries look and work, if enough people ask for the same change.”

Thanks, Dawn, for keeping us in the loop about this great diary.

Decluttering Adventure – the Reward

Here’s the great news… when you finish, it will feel great!  Pop the champagne, light the fireworks!  Coming to the end is time to celebrate and reward your accomplishments.

(Reward example – a candlelit bubble bath, a golden half hour of reading or a fresh new pillow to lay your head on.)

Let your journey inspire others. Please share your decluttering adventure.

Decluttering Adventure – the Record-keeping

You’ll want to record your journey.  It’s important to acknowledge where you’ve come from as well as the destination.

(Record-keeping example – take before and after photos, or rate your anxiety level 1-10 at the beginning, middle and end of the process.)

One more step in the journey…

Decluttering Adventure – Getting Rest

Plan to rest.  Any good adventure takes time.  Tackling the scary unknown can be tiring.   For some, it can be physically and mentally draining.  Over-committing is the surest way to dampen spirits and discourage future adventures like this one.

(Getting rest example – set a timer for each session.  Take some time out, but do plan a time for getting back to it.)

Stay tuned…

Decluttering Adventure – the Special Equipment

You may need special equipment but trust me, it’s not worth loading up with these at the start of our adventure.  What we need to begin is a willing spirit, some time set aside and the rest we’ll discover as we go.

(Special equipment example – boxes of all shapes and sizes can often be part of the clutter problem.   It’s better to buy these after the decluttering process when you know what, where and how you’ll store what’s precious enough to stay.)

Over half way now.  The journey continues…