10 Myths of Clutter Clearing
1) It’s easy to have a good clear out: Not always. For many people, breaking a life-time habit is really hard – everyone has a choice whether they want to make that break or not. The only way you will succeed is when the pain is so big you convert it into the positive energy you need to make you take ACTION. We have to face those emotions in order to process them – that’s when we learn to let go.
2) I know I should, but: there’s no should about clutter clearing – again, we all have a choice. It’s because you want to. If you aren’t ready to let go, you create further inner conflict, and draws on your emotional energy. When you are ready, that’s when the liberation really kicks in.
3) I need to clean out the whole house now!: Not the approach to take unless you want to completely exhaust yourself physically and emotionally trying. One room, or even a corner or a closet, at a time. A little each day is much less overwhelming and manageable.
Do something loving for yourself beforehand- show yourself that you deserve to be cared for, then take a look, it will be so much easier for you to process it. If you decide upon a reward afterwards, make sure you take it, otherwise you program yourself that you don’t get what you are worthy of.
4) I’ll give myself x amount of time before deciding to keep or throw: this is the band aid approach. Think of the cost of storage, or the space these items are continuing to take, and all you are doing is delaying facing the reasons and having the freedom.
5) I’ll make money by selling at a garage sale: Can you really bear for people to haggle with you over your once prized possessions? I’ve seen people buying their things back because they can’t stand to see someone else have it. If the money really will come in handy, get a friend or family member to hold the sale for you.
Ideally, use ebay on line for items over $50, or do your bit for charity -generosity is gratitude in action, and makes room for bigger and better things to come into your life.
6) It will come in useful one day: The day you need it, you won’t be able to find it. When you do eventually come across it, having emptied cupboards, boxes & bags to find it, chances are, it won’t be 100% perfect for your requirements anyway. You’ll spend more time adjusting it, so you may as well have gone and bought a new whatever to serve the purpose.
Give yourself the benefit of the doubt that you will find a way to survive without it.
7) I don’t have time to tidy up: 10 minutes a day putting away will save 20 minutes of trying to find something when you need it – I promise you. As long as everything has a home, this tried & tested system works. Read the rest of this entry »
Handbag Q & A
A. It all begins with selecting the right handbag for your lifestyle. Inner and outer pockets and zippered sections help sort and separate the contents. Limit the contents to those basics you really need each day: cash, credit cards, keys, lipstick, and planner. Your chiropractor will thank you. If you need additional beauty products consider a small makeup case that will prevent spills. If you find yourself lugging around an umbrella, paperback, file folders, baby formula, toys, camera, snacks and more, either consider a larger tote-style bag that can accommodate all your needs. Or consider keeping a separate bag with these items in your car or office. Another option that works for some women is carrying a small clutch purse (that’s quick to grab and go) in a larger tote-type briefcase. Whichever option you choose, remember to regularly purge the store receipts, old tissues, lint-covered candies, and business cards that can load you down and steal precious space.
Q. How can I stash everything I need for my busy work life without resorting to wheeled luggage?
–Desperate
Haircuts – How About a New Style
You looked into the mirror this morning and thought…”oh my, what a mess!” So you showered and washed your hair, in preparation to head off to the office to work. Everything was going great in your morning routine…teeth brushed, outfit ironed perfectly, make up applied just so. Everything, that is, until you tried to dry and style your hair! You struggled and wasted twice the time usually spent on this step in the process…and for what? As you look at yourself in the mirror, you find yourself wondering who this tangled and unmanageable mop of hair belongs to. It can’t possibly be yours! It defies all your attempts to make it look presentable, curling iron, styling gels and hair sprays notwithstanding. What do you do?
My solution to this problem is to coil it up and put a claw clip on it and get on with life! My next step is to call my local beauty operator in Oregon City and beg and grovel for a haircut appointment today, on my lunch hour if necessary! And then pray she understands my desperation. Have you been here before? Have you experienced this dilemma? It seems that my long, thick hair is pretty manageable and really doesn’t require a great deal of styling to look good most of the time. However, if I don’t keep up with trims and style refreshing, it will suddenly become the most unruly mass of curls on the planet.
I try not to allow my hair to get to this point for several reasons:
1. First: I simply can’t get a comb or pick through it when it gets so tangled despite the use of every conditioner on earth.
2. Second: it looks bad, stringy with the dry and broken ends and that adds to the problems in number 1.
3. Third: when I get this desperate, I usually demand a drastic haircut that I instantly regret.