Do You Control Clutter or Does it Control You? Part 2

That which you cannot give away, you do not possess. It possesses you.” -Ivern Ball

Clutter is:

• “Anything you do not need, use or love, and doesn’t love you back” (fellow organizers, tell me who said this and I would be happy to give credit!) 

• “Unmade decisions” (Barbara Hemphill).

Yesterday, we reviewed why it is tough to let go of clutter. I also offered reasons why you should let go of clutter, regardless of how tough it is to let go. 

So, now that we know what we know, what do we do about it? 

• Look at your Big Picture, appreciate the people your life and realize how blessed you really are. Next time you feel like acquiring more stuff or getting lazy maintaining a clutter-free room or office, look at stuff more objectively and people more lovingly.
• Change really does come from within. Act differently this moment, even if it just having more positive thoughts. 
• Build your Clutter Clearing Muscle. Perhaps today you recognize why you have kept something that is clutter, and you let go of that piece of clutter instead of piling it up. Letting go of clutter gets easier with practice.
• Exercise your memory muscles, too. Use your memory intentionally and purposefully. 
  • Respect the memory of a person by celebrating and honoring the life, not clinging to stuff. Letting go of clutter does not mean you are letting go of loved ones.
  • Keep a memory journal and photos, of course. With just a few words or small tokens, you can remember what you want to remember, instead of keeping piles of clutter.
  • A recent Faithful Organizer devotion read “Jesus left his people with little more than memories. Yet Jesus did give his people something tangible to remember him by: the Last Supper. This was a ritual of communion based on his words “Every time you eat this bread and drink this wine, remember me.” (Luke 22:19) He gave them a beautiful parting memory that they could touch and taste and feel.”  Remember this the next time you struggle with keeping stuff because you’re afraid of “losing the memory.”
  • Attach good memories to rituals and actions. For example, I have tangible keepsakes from my grandparents, but actions hold stronger memories for me. Every time I play euchre, make deviled eggs, smell Palmolive dish soap or eat paczkis on (Fat Tuesday), I remember fondly those who have gone before me.

Remember that life is not about the stuff, it’s about the People in your life. Take control of your clutter, and live a better life!

This is part of the March 6 edition of Colleen CPO's Blog.