I have been rifling through the same shirts for years. Shirts I never wear anymore, though I keep them. Why do I do it? Well, there are plenty of reasons that I tell myself. This one only has a tiny stain on it, and I can wear it for home improvement jobs. This one doesn’t quite fit me, but I could still wear it around the house. I got this one for a steal, and even though it doesn’t go with anything else I own, I’m keeping my eyes open for something that might match it. This type of nonsensical thinking about why we keep things is probably behind most of our clutter.
So, what’s the advantage to keeping all this stuff we don’t use? Well, I suppose there’s the chance we might actually use it someday. The disadvantages are more numerous. Just the idea of opening my shirt drawer makes me anxious. How many times have I had to refold clothes that I threw out of the way to get to the item I knew would fit me? How many times did I try on that one shirt, forgetting it was too small and then had to refold it and put it back in the drawer? How many times did I chastise myself for not fitting into it? I wonder how much time I waste in a year?
William Morris said, “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” Doesn’t that just sound wonderful?
We hang onto unused gifts, ugly heirlooms, broken trinkets and even relationships. Socrates said, “How many things are there which I do not want.” How many of you have a box stuffed full of art projects from your kids? Knickknacks from past vacations? Books you’ve never read? Some of them are treasures for sure, but how many could be sorted into your “circular file” - if you’d just the guts to do it!
We’re all a bit unorganized, it’s true, but try this quiz to see whether your clutter has gotten out of hand: http://clutterworkshop.com/quiz.shtml
When it comes to our workspace, we’re usually just plain too busy to get to it, and organizing truly takes a time investment. However, a cluttered environment clutters the soul. It drags down productivity and creates anxiety. Think of it like this: “clutter creates resistance to the natural energy flow in a room and creates “stuck energy”. Stuck energy causes procrastination, lack of motivation, a feeling of being in limbo… confusion, and even depression.” [1]
At work it can be worse and the overwhelm of tackling the clutter is real. Perceived lack of time is a real roadblock though we realize in the end it will save time. Staying on top of clutter helps. A clutter basket that is cleaned out weekly can be a good tool. The freedom that comes from a clutter-free work environment is worth the investment to create some positive flow. Here is a quiz to see how badly you need to clean up your own workspace:
http://www.taylorintime.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=95
And also, some great decluttering tips for your life and your mind:
http://www.lifedesignstrategies.com/art/clutterbusting_tips.html
Visit this site and pick up your free declutter calendar:
http://www.mysimplerlife.com/decluttercalendar.htm
If you could use some professional help with your clutter:
http://www.clutterfreeforever.com/index.htm
Remember:
The sculptor produces the beautiful statue by chipping away such parts of the marble block as are not needed - it is a process of elimination. ~Elbert Hubbard
[1] http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Cluttered-Office-Is-Like-A-Hairy-Swimmer&id=645075