Clearing my own clutter.

I’ve been clearing out some interesting clutter this week: some emotional and mental clutter of my own. With amazing results. Using a process my, shall we say, spiritual guide, suggested, in a short time, I’ve found myself feeling lighter, brighter, and happier. The spin off has been an eagerness to make some changes in my home and wardrobe. Items that were not quite right are getting the boot (two floor lamps that didn’t provide good lighting, a painting…and more!) Bright colours, like an azure blue (some call it turquoise but Wikipedia calls it azure) are calling out to me from my closet.

It’s great because I get to be my own de-cluttering student and teacher, learning from my own life what it’s like to shed the weight of clutter (literally and figuratively since the pounds are dropping and my house is getting emptier). Things are actively coming and going at my house. I ripped up a few pages of a journal and the rest of the notebook went off to a daycare I donate things to. Photos from my trip to Germany in 2000 got the boot and a picture of Olivia appeared on the share shelf and was immediately wisked off to my home. I let go of some dishes and a friend gave me a pair of leather boots.

I’m so much happier when I let go of attachments and step into the flow of life, giving away what no longer serves me, and opening up to opportunities coming my way. So much like clutter in the homes of my clients. They let go of unwanted, unloved, unnecessary ‘stuff’, report that they are feeling lighter and better, and start to discover things that are actually important to them and lifts their energy.

I love how this all works. It’s spring-time. The urge to purge is strong, and I’m walking with a bounce in my step. What about you? What’s your clutter costing you? “Best money spent” was what several recent clients told me. Are you ready for an investment in yourself that has a great return rate?

Weekend mornings are made for nesting

Just when I start to wonder where and how I can downsize my 'stuff' to create an easier to live in, easier to clean, more comfortable, less crowded castle out if my 400 square feet home, along comes a weekend morning without plans. The best kind of morning at home for me. I love nesting.

This week I'd glanced at a corner of my home and got the idea for a minor switch in furniture. I'd wondered how things would look with just a bit of rearranging. Today I implemented my idea and in the process reviewed my entire book collection, purged, dusted, rearranged furniture, and had a delightful hour letting go once again.

Wait, my curiosity got the better of me and I've just measured my floors. My home is actually 385 square feet. Not bad. I live by the 'less is more' philosophy, so I feel a sense of pleasure learning I have less square feet than I thought.

My curiosity and love of numbers/details/data also led me to count how many books I've decided to keep. 48. That includes 13 in my 'to read' collection, some of which I will pack for my trip to Scotland in May and leave along the trail, 27 books (fiction, travel, atlas, non-fiction, running...) that I've read and like enough to keep and 8 children's books from my childhood (Splish, Splash and Splush) and adulthood (Olivia Saves the Circus -- my adorable hero). That doesn't include the 11 books about organizing I've tucked away in my antique cabinet with other business things.

The first day of spring is only one week away. This is a great time to spring clean, purge, pitch, organize, de-clutter, downsize. I love the feeling afterwards, feeling a little lighter, more free, unencumbered, more relaxed, more in love with my home, happier to see the things I love (a 1950's brown leather suitcase, the globe from my Dad, my precious tractor won at Massey Ferguson day in 1964...)

With the tragic global events to remind me that stuff doesn't matter I feel like I've had the best morning, doing what I love, creating my castle, and being the me that I love to be.

So if you're thinking of spring cleaning your castle, I encourage you to think of Goodbye Clutter. We'll help you make room for what matters.