A Different Approach to De-Cluttering
A Different Approach to De-Cluttering
Decluttering.
The mere word puts me into a feeling of facing a mountain. OVERWHELMED!
One of my daughters lives in New York and has lived there for decades. The lack of space really invites minimalism. Her home always inspires me! –Whether it's the kitchen, the laundry room, or a bedside table, everything always looks so organized and so inviting because the only items around are things that are actually in use.
Every time I open my cosmetics drawer I wish that it would look like my daughter’s:
so organized,
simplified,
and peaceful to look at.
One morning a few days ago, I was inspired.
I emptied that entire drawer out onto the dining room table and cleaned it out. Only the things I actually love to use went back in the drawer. It took less than 20 minutes, but when I was done and stepped back to look, the most wonderful glow of peace and order flowed throughout me!
Since that day, I have stopped and admired that drawer so many times!
There's a saying among us Tiny Habits coaches: “people do better when they feel good about themselves!”
There was such a wonderful set of emotions that arose from clearing that only very small space that my brain wanted some more… and I found myself clearing out my car, not because it was on a “to do” list (that constantly got put off)–but because I loved that feeling of peace and order so much that I actually wanted MORE of that sense of peace, and order!
Maybe we are all looking at “de-cluttering” from the wrong point of view: logic, discipline.
Something we SHOULD be doing –or else….
A mountain we HAVE to climb…
Something that is tedious and will take a lot of time
Instead, why not use the element that really drives new behaviors? POSITIVE EMOTIONS.
Suppose you only clear out ONE drawer or ONE shelf and stand back and admire how that really feels?
The order.
The peace.
The sense of accomplishment!
Then think of another place where you’d like to create that same set of feelings.
What if you didn’t have to set aside an entire day? A whole afternoon? What if you approached this "mountain" in a different way?
Here are five tiny, gentle ways to set the stage before you declutter anything at all:
Start REALLY small. Choose a tiny habit. For example, after your morning coffee, pause for one deep breath and say, “I am making space for peace.” And add one item to a box to give to your favorite charity– and celebrate that you did it!
Visualize the feeling you want. — focus on feeling lighter, freer, calmer.
Honor the things you really love and share the rest with those who have little.
Appreciate what you have. Walk through your space and quietly thank the things that have served you well. Gratitude softens the journey.
Maybe de-cluttering doesn’t have to start as a huge mountain, the way we usually think of it. Perhaps starting tiny and admiring our work and the peace and the sense of order it brings is a better way.
Maybe focusing on how good we feel can open a window to fresh possibilities and calm confidence.
When you’re ready to begin, you’ll be prepared — one small, meaningful choice at a time. To live with the things that you really use and things that really bring you joy!
