Love Your Space News

Clearing the Way to Peace of Mind
By Professional Organizer, Angela Irvine

Take a moment to close your eyes and imagine what it would be like:

• to walk in your front door without tripping on anything
• to open your kitchen cabinets with nothing falling on your head
• to have a clear desk to work on and an organized filing system
• to have space in your garage for your car

The energy of clutter is unmistakable. It has a stale, stuck, blocked feel to it and can drag your energy down. You may feel stressed and confused, and making even simple decisions can become difficult.

Clearing your space gives you a fresh start. Letting go of everything that has no real meaning for you, allows you to bask in the inevitable lightness in body, mind and spirit. You will create more harmony in your space and life. Wonderful new opportunities will come to you when you remove the obstacles to the flow of energy in your living environment. You will be truly amazed by the pleasure you experience getting rid of something - almost as much pleasure as when you acquired it in the first place. You can begin this space clearing process right now by setting an intention to make your space a reflection of your best self.

What is clutter?

Anything that you don't really love and use regularly.

Anything that needs repair or is an unfinished project.

Anything that is unused, including unwanted gifts, or anything that no longer reflects who you are.

Why do we hang on to all these old possessions?

The answer is often "just in case". Your thoughts create your reality, so trust that what you need will come to you when you need it. You may try to purge an item several times before you're really ready to admit you're not using it and let it go. Are you trying to justify keeping it with the following reasoning: But I spent good money on that; Grandma gave it to me; I'll get to that project soon... Well you've just created an awful lot of unnecessary guilt to carry around - let the items go and trust that they will land in the hands of someone who can really use them, now.

Benefits of letting go

Clearing clutter is one of the best remedies for stress, worry and anxiety. It offers a feeling of freedom and room to breathe. It removes stagnant energy and allows you to regain clarity of mind and refocus your vision. The process leaves you feeling reawakened, rejuvenated and alive. As you remove the "stuff" that has blocked the flow of energy in your space, you inevitably sweep away some of the issues that may have been blocking you in your life. Don't be surprised if you suddenly experience improvements in your cash flow, relationships, health, career, etc.

What to toss?

My personal litmus test = anything you would be embarrassed to present to a houseguest = CHUCK IT!

Why tolerate surrounding yourself with second best? Decide to give yourself the best. When you affirm that you are worth it, you will attract the best in turn. Be honest - do you have a surplus of threadbare towels and sheets in your closet? Stained clothes and items that need mending? Holey socks? Are you still wearing tattered pj's & slippers? You deserve to go to bed looking cute! Toss the faded jammies and put on the nice ones you received last Christmas. Uncomfortable shoes? They make you cranky - donate them to a shelter. Used plastic containers? No one can use more than a handful of these at once. Let them go. Piles of magazines, newspapers, and literature you've printed off the internet with the intention of reading it all one day? Good for you for your ongoing desire to learn, but we are bombarded with so much information these days that we need to be selective. Consider paring down your subscriptions to the one you really love and carry your current issue around with you in case some spare time pops up (a lunch break, waiting in line, etc.). If you want to keep articles of interest, clip and create a filing system for them, then donate the magazines to office waiting rooms, co-workers, or recycle them.

Still can't decide whether to do away with an item or not?

If you find yourself waffling, ask yourself the following questions:

Is this item vital to my existence on the planet? Is it truly useful to me every single day?
Does it make me feel good when I look at or think about this item?
Does it fit me and is it flattering on me today? Is it representative of who I am today?
How many water bottles, books, jackets, etc can one person use?

Need a helping hand?

If you're still not sure how to move forward, a professional organizer can help you move through the process of deciding what to give away, what to sell, and what to throw away.

They will assist with creating simple, effective organizing solutions that harmonize with your style and budget. Take the plunge! You're worth it!