5 steps for clearing clutter

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One of the things that really helps me stay positive is keeping things organized. It's really important to have a clutter-free space if you want to live a positive life. Clutter holds you back and holds you down. Today I'm featuring a post written by Tisha Morris, author of 27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home, and she's going to help you eliminate the clutter in your life with 5 easy steps. 

Clearing clutter has fast become one of the most popular facets or subcategories of Feng Shui. When Feng Shui was first used thousands of years ago, clutter was not an issue like it is in today’s world.  I believe our culture has hit its climax of consumption, either voluntarily or forced. We are realizing how little we actually need in the physical world and turning more to the simple pleasures in life.  

Furthermore, it simply doesn’t feel good to be in our living space if it is filled with items that we no longer need. And, for good reason. Anything in your space that you no longer use or love is simply taking up space for something else to come into your life. While I am talking about something as simple as a new pair of jeans, I am also talking about job opportunities, relationships, and so forth. The space in your home is a direct reflection of your life. 

Feng Shui is based on harmonizing the free flow of energy, or chi, in living spaces. If the flow is restricted, then it becomes stagnant.  By keeping your spaces clutter-free, you are not only allowing the free flow of energy, but you are also removing stagnant energy that was created by that clutter giving yourself new opportunities in your life. Clutter is anything that you are keeping that stagnates your energy because it serves no purpose in your life. 

5 Steps for Clearing Clutter

 

1. Set Aside Time. For many, clearing clutter can be overwhelming which is why it has accumulated to begin with. We put it off and just let stuff collect. So the first step of clearing clutter is to make time for it. Make it a priority. To do this, create a block of time out of your schedule.  For example, take a day off from work or carve out an afternoon or simply designate the next 30 minutes for clearing clutter. The point is consciously making time knowing that this is important for your well-being. If clearing clutter seems especially daunting to you, then break down the job into small tasks. Do one box, drawer, or closet at a time. 

   
   
2. Have Materials On Hand. Make sure you have boxes and/or plastic bags, recycling bin, and garbage bags on hand.  Also Sharpies are great to label boxes. This step is important because you don’t want to clear one closet just to shift it all to another closet.  While you are clearing, you want to be able to immediately place the item into its destination to reduce any further clutter. You will want to sort the items accordingly: trash, recycling, returns (all those things that you’ve borrowed over time and not returned), donation, for sale, and an undecided pile. For trash items, place in trash bags. For recycling items, place in recycling container immediately.  For returns, place in a designated box.  For items that will be donated, place in an appropriate bag or box for immediate delivery. The items you have designated for sale, whether it be for a garage sale, craigslist, or ebay, make sure the item is worth your time to sell. Make sure you are not using the “for sale” items as a way to distract yourself into keeping it. For items in the undecided pile, keep reading…
   
3. To Keep or Not to Keep. Knowing what to keep and what to get rid of is the quintessential question of clearing clutter. In determining what to keep, ask yourself the following questions: Do I use it? Do I love it? If the answer is “No” to both, then it goes.  You should love or lovingly use everything in your home. If you don’t, it is taking up valuable space. There seems to be two categories of items that people get hung up on: “just in case” items and gifts. “Just in case” items are those that you keep just in case you need them. The message that this puts out is “I don’t trust the Universe to provide for me in the future.” This is different than those items that you use infrequently, like a snow shovel in Tennessee. A “just in case” item is an item that you keep only in the event of a negative consequence that is within your control. One example is someone who loses weight and keeps their ‘big’ clothes just in case the gain the weight back.  What message does this put out?  Gifts.  When you begin clearing clutter you will be amazed at how many of the items that you don’t use or love are gifts from friends and family. Getting rid of these gifts usually conjures up some guilt. This is the exact reason you need to be rid of them. The best way to stop the cycle of keeping unwanted gifts is to being nonattached yourself when giving gifts. Also giving gifts that they want as opposed to gifts you want them to have is also important. When in doubt, give a gift card!
   
   

4. Final Decision. For those items that you either can’t make your mind about or just can’t part with, then ask yourself why? You will find a deeper meaning.  And perhaps then you will be able to part with it. If not, then save it for the next round of clearing clutter. The emotional weight will eventually get to you. Just like everything in life, we hold on to it until it becomes easier not to. Each time you clear clutter you will be amazed at how much easier it gets and how much more you can part with. In fact, it becomes extremely freeing.  When you successfully do it once, you realize life really does continue without that item(s).

   
   
5. Delivery Time. This step is as crucial as the first step. There is no point in going through your items, just to put them in a box in your closet. Instead, immediately take the trash out. Recycle items. Deliver the donation items within 24 hours, along with any items to be returned. Begin the process for selling the items to be sold. This step can be more time consuming than you think, so build in plenty of time for properly disposing of your items. This last step can be the most annoying, but also the most therapeutic. Once you have properly rid of the items you will feel so much lighter. And one of the biggest payoffs from clearing clutter is that you will be so much less likely to accumulate clutter in the future. 

Tisha Morris, author of this post, is a certified life coach, feng shui consultant, energy healer, and author of 27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home (Turner Publishing). She practiced law for ten years and holds a Fine Arts degree in Interior Design. Tisha’s transformational journey from attorney to healer has given her invaluable experience in which to help others make desired changes.Tisha’s passion is healing spaces by blending traditional feng shui techniques and interior design aesthetics with healing energy. In doing so, not only does the space undergo a transformation, but all those who occupy and encounter the space as well.Tisha is based in Nashville, TN with most of her services available in-person or distance at www.tishamorris.com. 

Comments

[Zareena]

Once again Positively Present comes through bringing more great material for us to read and grow with. Thanks Dani!
Hats off to Tisha, She's got a winner.

[Writersinthesky]

Great article. Love the photo in the closet, too! :)

[positively present]

Zareena - I'm so glad you found this post helpful. I really do believe that being organized and working to declutter my life makes it much more positive so I hope this helps others as well.

Writersinthesky - Thanks for the comment! I really enjoyed the article too and I'm glad you liked the picture I chose for this post.

[Allen Loomis]

As Always I love your blog. I am a old viewer and self improvement blogger as well. I think you will remember my blog, hopefully :)

I have been gone for a little while and I know we had exchanged links in the past, I was wondering if you would like too again. My old domain has been picked up and parked by someone else sadly. But I am adding you to my blog roll, and would be honored if you could do the same.

http://www.successdemandsaction.net

[Lauren]

Great tips!

Lauren

[Zoya]

What a great article, I have tried on several occasions to declutter but it never seems to work, hopefully these hints will help.

[Topi]

I love this post! I declutter almost constantly, and I use the tips you've mentioned and they definitely work! Another thing I've started doing is to try not to acquire in the first place - for example, if someone wants to give me a gift I ask for an experience (meeting for a coffee, or lunch) instead of a physical item. The less I own, the more free I feel!
Topi

[positively present]

Allen - Great to see you back in action! I've added your site to the "Wonderful Websites" list and I'm looking forward to seeing some great new content on your site.

Lauren - Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed Tisha's post!

Zoya - I've you give Tisha's tips a try, I'm sure you'll have some luck. Decluttering can be hard, but if you really put your mind to it, you can do it!

Topi - Like you, I'm a big fan of decluttering and these tips are definitely some of the things I use when I'm getting rid of what I no longer need. Great point about trying not to acquire things in the first place!

[Phil - Less Ordinary Living]

Tisha -

You can feel your calmness and zen in these words. I love the practical and no nonsense nature of your 5 steps. I have been working with someone who had 30 years of clutter in his life and is slowly and bravely sorting it out. It is like lifting a weight off every day and transformational. I have some time set aside this weekend to attack my basement which is my primary clutter zone. Can't wait. Thank you

Phil

[positively present]

Phil - Thank you for your comment on Tisha's post. I agree that you can really get a sense of calm just by reading her article. Good luck decluttering this weekend!

[SpiritusShelagh]

I love what Tisha is doing, because the whole process of decluttering for me is linked to the Dynamic Law of Creating a Vacuum and allowing something which serves us eve better to come in.

And loving meeting new people on this Tour!

[positively present]

Spiritus - Thanks so much for stopping by and reading Tisha's article. I appreciate your feedback and I hope you had a chance to check out Positively Present!

[Syd]

I'm about to declutter in a big way. I'm throwing out things right and left in my office. And once retired, will go through things at home. I won't have much use for a bunch of clothes. Just a few comfortable jeans will suffice for the most part. I am looking forward to having much less "stuff".

[positively present]

Syd - Good for you getting rid of what you don't need. It's a great way to feel renewed and refreshed and it's especially great when you're moving into a new phase in life. Good luck with all of your decluttering!

[Vonnie]

I want to thank you for hosting our virtual tour and for your part in making this so much of a success!

The tour schedule is posted on http://www.tinyurl.com/TishaTour

She has some incredible articles and Radio interviews coming in the course of the tour! I know, I have the inside scoop :O)

[positively present]

Vonnie - You're welcome! Thank you for including Positively Present in the virtual tour. It was a pleasure to be a part of it.