cluttered minds vs cluttered spaces
As the fall is fast approaching, we all want to feel ready - ‘in control’ of our spaces.
To ensure that your home/office is organized, comfortable, and healthy really begins with decluttering your mind.
I know it is easier said than done, but our spaces reflect our state of mind as well as influence our feelings and perceptions of ourselves. I know for myself when my space is messy and disorganized, it clearly affects my attitude and work flow.
I try to stick to a few key habits that help keep both mind and space organized and productive:
Lists! Think of it - write it down!
Is it my age, attention span or motivation that causes me to instantly forget whatever it was I remembered to do? If I don’t write it down (or just do it, see #2), it’s gone! I have lists in every room, for every topic - but you know the best part of a good list? Crossing the items off! I am the thick pen/multiple cross off type, not the simple sweet checkmark type! For me, it's all about the instant gratification of the cross out; I will even write things down I already did just to have the pleasure of crossing them off!
When I think of something that will take less than 5 minutes, I try to do it right away!
Too often, our lists become pages long, cluttered with quick, easy to-do’s. The longer the list, the more overwhelming it becomes, the less likely we are to do any of it! If I really can’t do it when I think of it, I add it to a separate(short) list of small, reasonable tasks to complete before bed or right when I wake up. Think of the cross out opportunities there!
Setting goals is a tall order!
In every aspect of my life, I try my best to keep my goals attainable and do-able, not lofty or unrealistic. Sometimes, the smaller the goal, the easier it is to accomplish. (Kind of like the list of easy cross outs!) I try to commend myself with acknowledgement if I have met a few goals each day - whether they are personal, household, parental or work related. Too often we focus on what we do not do - let’s take more time to acknowledge what we DO do!
My life is a constant version of the chicken vs egg - does my cluttered head make my space cluttered, or if it's the other way around? For me, keeping on top of the smallest chores and goals make the biggest difference.
If these ideas or others like them sound helpful, please reach out to me! Order is here to help!