If you’re feeling stuck either personally or professionally, look to the environment you’ve created for yourself. You’re unlikely to feel focused and inspired if all that surrounds you are mountains of mess.
“Any clutter, whether physical, digital or emotional, prevents you from focusing on the things at hand and from working effectively,” says Heidi Meyer, professional organiser and CEO of Cloud 9 Organised. “It increases stress levels, wastes time and curbs creativity, leaving you feeling anxious, overwhelmed and frustrated.”
“Lifestyle Guru” Retha Kok agrees. “Clutter is stuck energy, it presents an obstacle to your flow, creating confusion. Your life works better when you know where things are, allowing for better focus and more centred energy.” Rather than wasting hours hunting for an elusive document, a bunch of keys, or whatever item is constantly eluding you, take control of the clutter.
Get cleaning
When it comes to tackling the mess that surrounds you, start small, suggests Kok. “Make a list of clutter zones and systematically clear them – small successes will inspire you. Create rubbish, repair and recycle boxes, and break larger areas up into small chunks. A place for everything and everything in its place makes it easy to put things away.”
Meyer offers the following decluttering tips:
- Commit to making the change.
- Decide what to do with the possessions you no longer need.
- Guard your time: Declutter your day by reducing commitments, saying no and prioritising.
- Don’t put off decisions – just do it!
- Rather than multitasking, prioritise and do one thing at a time.
Once you’ve decluttered, make sure you don’t fall into the same damaging patterns. “Get into the habit of putting things away immediately and clear your space regularly,” suggests Meyer. “Everything you own needs a home, so put things back where they belong. Do a ten-minute tidy-up at the end of the day to put everything where it belongs.”
Finding peace
Once you’ve decluttered permanently, you’ll find yourself feeling lighter and more at peace with yourself, attracting new experiences, says Kok. “The higher purpose of clearing clutter is to clear debris that prevents us from connecting with our higher selves.”
“Clearing up gives you more energy and time to do what you really love,” says Meyer. “Letting go of the emotional bondage of clutter, lets you live in the here and now. You’ll have better control over your life and will be more productive because there isn’t so much screaming for your attention.”
Visit: www.lifestyleguru.co.za or www.cloud9organised.co.za |
