Decluttering

I find that more and more our lives are being controlled by clutter; in it's various forms.  We have endless To-Do lists scratched on scraps of paper and most of us only feel as though we really accomplished something when we can cross it off a list.  With that in mind  I spent this week setting out to find areas of my life I can de-clutter to help me de-stress.  Fall, for me, has always been a time of renewal and fresh starts.  I prefer to have a "new year" celebration as school beings and the craziness of summer settles down.  In this "new  year" I have some resolutions.  

De-clutter at work:

I have always been a bit of a work-a-holic.  I worked through college, and as soon as I graduated jumped head first into a job.  From that day on I have never gone without at least one job.  Most of the time I have two, but currently I am working three jobs.  Now, it's not as though I need these jobs; my husband and I do well for ourselves.  I have always just enjoyed being busy.  In the wake of our wedding I began to realize that I was finding my own self-worth in having so many jobs.  I was proud of my balancing act, and proud that I always managed to excel in all forms of work and still maintain a lively social life.  These past weeks I have woken up tired on a daily basis.  I no longer jump at the chance to take on a new endeavor.  Call it wisdom coming with age, or newly realized sanity, I realized I need to get my priorities in order.  Step one is learning how to say no to the right people.  I never say no, I am always happy to take on something new.  Saying no is key to de-cluttering life.  

De-clutter around the house:

My husband and I are not the neatest of folk.  Don't get me wrong, we do not need to be nominated for Hoarders or anything, but we do have a bad habit of coming in, dropping our stuff and crashing onto the couch together.  We need to get a plan.  We need to have better habits of walking those few extra steps, putting it all away, then crashing.  It will come with time.  

De-clutter the closet:

My closet has come to be quite the collection.  Rather than cleaning, I would say that my closet needs "curating."  My whole morning routine is totally out of whack because I stand at my closet, look in, and decide "I have nothing to wear..." I need to start cleaning house, keeping only solid pieces that I've worn recently and keep my head on straight when I shop.  

De-clutter my budget:

I've made budgets quite often, and have never been able to stick to them.  It's just so hard.  Sometimes I feel like I just lack self-control.  Other times, I don't have a reason at all.  What I do know is that at this point in my life the only way to get ahead is to live on a budget. I need to separate my "needs" from "wants" without depriving myself completely. Do I need a new sweater?  Most likely not, but one won't hurt.  Do I need to stock up on it in a million colors?  Definitely not.  That's where the line in the sand has to be drawn.  Everything in moderation.  

Just typing this list I feel better.  I feel like I have a jumping off point rather than just a giant list of things I may or may not get to.  One of the most important things I've found is to start small.  Don't make a huge list, you'll already feel defeated.  Put one thing on a sticky and throw it out when you're done.  It will feel great!  Keep the sticky with you as you complete the task.  Throw it away once its done and if you feel up to it, grab another sticky and get started.  Rather than seeing how much you have left, focus on that one task.  You will always feel that you can accomplish what's in front of you.  Be an effective user of time and you will see great things!  

xxoo