When you think of the word decluttering, what comes to mind? Papers? Knick-knacks? Clothes? I want to talk about a different kind of clutter today: the kind of clutter that junks up your mind. Buddhists often refer to an overly-busy mind as the Monkey Mind. I think it’s an apt description for what happens when […]
Lies you tell yourself (Day 10 of 31 Days of Organizing)
Did you even know you tell yourself lies? It’s true. Here’s a sampling of lies that keep us in chaos, disorganized and stuck: I’ll remember (the appointment, time, address, verbal commitment) If I’m good, that’s enough Someone will see how good I am and will choose me I don’t know how (this is the one where […]
Instead of being busy (Day 9 of 31 Days of Organizing)
I know you say it. I know I catch myself my saying it, even though it’s one of my pet peeves: “I’m so busy!” Part of my Make Some Room Manifesto contains “bad words.” The part of my Manifesto related to “being busy” is intentionally provocative: Busy is a bullshit word. Choose to say something […]
Mind full or mindful? Day 8 of 31 Days of Organizing
For this week’s worth of 31 Days of Organizing, we’re going to go inside…inside our heads. Let’s get introspective! There’s a beautiful illustration I love (though I don’t know the original source of it nor the illustrator’s name). It’s called Mind full or Mindful? and I feel it speaks to each and every one of […]
Useful and beautiful? (Day 7 of 31 Days of Organizing)
One of my favorite quotes in the world: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” (by William Morris) This quote makes my heart sing. I find it the perfect instruction for anyone struggling with clutter – I mean, how nicer can it get than […]
Too much stuff (Day 6 of 31 Days of Organizing)
I spent Thanksgiving weekend with my family at a state park in South Carolina. We rented a cabin (it was more like a duplex), went skeet shooting, and learned a bit of archery (I hit the target once – yay me!). At one point, my sister’s boyfriend and I were sitting in the living room […]