This week when I was doing some personal development reading I was struck by one section I read about productivity.
That clutter in your space can lead to overwhelm and procrastination, because you subconsciously see all the things that need to be done and you don’t know where to start, which leads to nothing happening.
This was so true! I had been saving up some “projects” in the house for the colder months and focusing on outside/yard/garden projects. This has led me to be far less productive with the activities and work I need to do in the house because I keep running into these projects that need to be done. It was a light bulb going on for me.
So I started researching de-cluttering, and of course that led me to Marie Kondo and Konmari. If you want the best advice on how to de-clutter your space and life style it’s fairly clear she is the expert.
Since her book hasn’t arrived yet, I set about learning from her website.
Here are her 6 rules for tidiness and my takeaways so far:
1. Commit yourself to tidying up. This is not a once in a while tidying up, this is committing to the time and effort which will pay off in the long run as you spend more time with things you love and at peace in your space.
-Tidying now before you plan to move will make moving easier.
-A tidy space and one where every item has it’s place is more relaxing to the spirit, plus it’s easier to keep your space clean when everything has a place it belongs.
-Constant clutter in your surrounding is mentally exhausting.
2. Imagine what it will be like. Take a short period of time and write down what it will be like to have your space tidy and uncluttered. What does it look like- be specific?
1. Commit yourself to tidying up. This is not a once in a while tidying up, this is committing to the time and effort which will pay off in the long run as you spend more time with things you love and at peace in your space.
-Tidying now before you plan to move will make moving easier.
-A tidy space and one where every item has it’s place is more relaxing to the spirit, plus it’s easier to keep your space clean when everything has a place it belongs.
-Constant clutter in your surrounding is mentally exhausting.
2. Imagine what it will be like. Take a short period of time and write down what it will be like to have your space tidy and uncluttered. What does it look like- be specific?
Then write down how you will feel after it’s completed. What will you gain?
After you have that list, go back and write down the why behind each of those visions. This is clarifying to your goal and will help keep you motivated.
3. Finish discarding first. Look at every item you own in each category and decide which ones to keep, not what to get rid of. Finish going through all of the items in one category before you start to organize them. That way you know all of the items you want to keep and you know how much space they will need.
4. Sort by category not by room. So start with all of your clothes, put all of them in one pile, even coats and seasonal items that might be in a different room, and sort to see what you want to keep. Put everything in 1 spot so you can see what you have.
5. sort things in the right order. Start with the least emotional items and move on to the more nostalgic items.
3. Finish discarding first. Look at every item you own in each category and decide which ones to keep, not what to get rid of. Finish going through all of the items in one category before you start to organize them. That way you know all of the items you want to keep and you know how much space they will need.
4. Sort by category not by room. So start with all of your clothes, put all of them in one pile, even coats and seasonal items that might be in a different room, and sort to see what you want to keep. Put everything in 1 spot so you can see what you have.
5. sort things in the right order. Start with the least emotional items and move on to the more nostalgic items.
For example, start with clothing, go on to books and magazines, and then paper. Then your miscellaneous category, which will include kitchen utensils, CDs, Home Office, pantry, small appliances or electronics, and tools. Do the sentimental items last like photos, trophies, special gifts and souvenirs.
6. Learn to Joy check. Choose 3 items that absolutely spark joy. This feeling is your standard to determine what to keep.
6. Learn to Joy check. Choose 3 items that absolutely spark joy. This feeling is your standard to determine what to keep.
Items that bring joy could also be items that, are a simple design that puts you at ease, a high degree of functionality that makes life easier, or recognition of usefulness.
A bonus tip. Nostalgia is not your friend- stay focused on the category and don't succumb to going down memory lane.
I will be spending some time in the coming weeks doing some de-cluttering around my house.
A bonus tip. Nostalgia is not your friend- stay focused on the category and don't succumb to going down memory lane.
I will be spending some time in the coming weeks doing some de-cluttering around my house.
What tips do you have for de-cluttering your space and lifestyle? Share with us in the comments.
If you liked this post you might like my post “Organizing your kitchen for easier and faster meals”.
If you liked this post you might like my post “Organizing your kitchen for easier and faster meals”.
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