"The smallest deed is better than the greatest intention." -John Burroughs How many days do you start out with good intentions to do something useful with your day. A little decluttering here, some tidying up, finishing a craft project, getting some exercise etc. Unfortunately, good intentions don't mean anything unless you actually follow through with action. Unfulfilled good intentions aren't that different to procrastinating and neither help you feel good about yourself. What is blocking you from following through. Some of the reasons may be... Inertia caused by sadness due to … [Read more...]
Day 307 To believe
A friend and I were having one of our philosophical chats while walking a couple of weeks ago. At some point, the subject changed to the psychological benefits of my decluttering process. Having known me before I started on this mission and being that we often discuss it she has noticed the changes it has had on me. We discussed how my blog has added purpose to what seemed at first to be just a household chore. We talked about the side effects and lessons I have learned along the way. How I now receive so much satisfaction out of helping others with their clutter issues and that shopping no … [Read more...]
Day 304 Should I stay or should I go?
A guest post by Cindy Bogard Darling you got to let me know Should I stay or should I go? If you say that you are mine I’ll be here ’til the end of time So you got to let me know Should I stay or should I go? The Clash Should it stay or should it go? Who hasn’t asked that during their decluttering efforts? One things I think we need to keep in mind while decluttering is the future usefulness of an item. Now I’m not trying to enable those who say, “Perhaps I can use it later…My sister’s husband’s next-door neighbor might want it … You just never know ….†I’m … [Read more...]
Day 271 Brain waves
We stayed at a very eco-friendly hostel in Rome called The Beehive. They only wash towels and sheets every three days if you are staying four days or more. They encourage you to turn off all electricity in your rooms when you are out. They have a little cafe that provides organic home made snacks and breakfast. And they have a community area where you can access the Internet on the computer provided and there are free magazines to read and a small collection on books (travel and otherwise) that have been shared by passing travellers who have no use for them anymore. There is also a recycling … [Read more...]
Day 208 Time to tackle the tricky stuff
For the last 207 days finding things to declutter has been a reasonably simple task due to the sheer volume of stuff that needed to go. Now it is time to tackle the tricky stuff. The stuff that so far I have avoided simply because I didn't want to make the hard decisions. Things like... Those craft items that I keep telling myself I will eventually use one day but after years that day has never arrived. Some of the sentimental items that deep down I know are just clutter that no one but me would ever want. Items that I know I don't want but have been struggling whether I should give … [Read more...]
Day 181 Listening to your inner voice
I don't know if I am interpreting "Inner Voice" the wrong way but I don't happen to agree that you should always listen to it like people often advise. I think of "Inner Voice" as that niggling little feeling inside that makes you feel cautious when faced with certain situations that you aren't to sure about. In my experience that little voice often tells lies and undermines your common sense. I have suffered from depression on and off during my life and I can tell you for sure that that little voice hasn't helped during those periods. It has come right to the forefront causing me a whole lot … [Read more...]
Day 162 Savour the moment
Due to all I have learned since starting my 365lessthings resolution where I have taken a relaxed approach to a job that could otherwise be quite unpleasant I am really starting to mellow and learn to savour the good feelings evoked during the process rather than just being satisfied when I am done. Through links to minimalism and inspirational web sites that I have discovered along the way I am learning to live in the moment and enjoy the process. If you approach an event with dread, determined that you will not get any enjoyment out of it, chances are it is going to live up to all your … [Read more...]
Day 141 Mind Games
Procrastination is a subject I have touched on probably more than once already as on Day 100 Procrastination-Clutter of the mind. It is a subject worth revisiting on a regular basis because it is a road block that often holds people back from getting things done. One of the biggest problems with procrastination is that you feel like you have put a lot of effort into tackling a job when in actual fact all you have done in exhaust yourself with the mental stain of over thinking the situation and not actually physically doing anything about it. It is a similar problem to taking a day out … [Read more...]
Day 125 Ah ha moment
I often check the discussions taking place on Unclutter Forums and sometimes even start a new topic myself. Recently I began a topic called The Neil Armstrong Approach to Uncluttering. This topic has attracted a reasonable amount of interest mostly due to the curiosity about the title but one comment really struck a cord with me. Pol wrote - I've been decluttering regularly and it simply gets easier and easier the more I do it! "Sentimental" clutter has always been the worst with me...   Each small step has opened my eyes to the damage I was causing myself, the stuff owned … [Read more...]
Day 113 Too much pressure
I read forums and posts on other blogs and I can't help but think that people put themselves under too much pressure when it comes to decluttering. Below are a few suggestions I have to help release that pressure... The clutter didn't appear overnight so don't expect it to disappear overnight. Don't look at the big picture it's too scary sometimes. Pace yourself, there is no hurry. Don't set a deadline. Save the hard to decide items until last. I find the further I get into this the more ruthless I become. Be rational, way up the pros and cons when it comes to what stays and what … [Read more...]