“The more you have, the more you are occupied.
The less you have, the more free you are.”
Having a place to live that is comfortable and organized is intimately related to your well-being and how you approach life every day. Make your home your healthy haven. How?
1. Look around. How does your place look and feel to you? Are the items on tables and furniture surfaces neatly arranged with plenty of empty space around them? Are you pleased with the selection of wall art and table décor?
What feelings do you experience when you sit in each room and survey the area? Do you feel tranquil and relaxed? Or is it uncomfortable and you are anxious to leave the room?
2. Think about whether you would like to alter any specific areas in each room. If you have too many figurines arranged on a side table, it might appear over-loaded or messy. Remember Kathy Bates‘ table in “Misery?” That was part of her craziness.
Do you have space on tables for your electronic tablet, books, and beverage glass or coffee cup? If so, perhaps you are perfectly happy and satisfied with the way you have your items arranged.
3. Finish this sentence: “Regarding the furniture and arrangement of personal items in my home, it would make me happier if _____________.” Maybe you’d like to get rid of a few pieces of furniture because over the years you have squeezed in a few too many pieces without getting rid of anything.
Perhaps the walls are covered top to bottom with too many wall hangings, making the room look and feel cramped or “busy,” keeping you from feeling at peace in the room.
Really sit and think about how you feel in the room and what would might make you feel better while you are in it.
For example, have you started hating entering your spare bedroom because you are now using it as a “dumping ground” for items you don’t know what else to do with? Now, you feel tired and disgusted, and maybe a little overwhelmed, as soon as you walk into the room. In fact, the room has grown quite cluttered. It is stacked up with clothing that no longer fits, and boxes of miscellaneous possessions you never use. You are disappointed in yourself and now see the room as a true misuse of the space. You think, “Why haven’t I gotten the room under better control so I can use it as my library and reading room?”
First, get clear about how you can best free your home of clutter. A pleasing result will bring you greater feelings of peace, comfort, and freedom.
4. Embrace the idea of getting rid of unused and/ or worn out items. Open your mind to the possibilities of what your home will be like whenever you discard unneeded, unused and sometimes un-usable items. You will create space for more of the things you enjoy. You will experience a sense of “newness.” You may even feel more relaxed as well.
A n additional benefit of cleaning out each room is how contented you will feel that items not currently being used might be better appreciated by someone else. Box items and clothing to drop off at the Salvation Army, Goodwill, your local mission, church or some other charitable organization. Experience the positive feelings of giving to others.
5. Allow yourself to daydream about what it will be like when that “spare” bedroom is clear of clutter. It will be easier to keep clean now that there’s less “stuff” to clean and move around. You will experience deeper sleep due to decreased dust lingering in the room.
6. Work on one room at a time. Rather than becoming consumed by feelings about how much you have to do, commit to unclutter your home over the long haul. Do something each day to get rid of items or organize things you want to keep. Your mental health is worth preserving. Unclutter your home bit by bit.
Even though you didn’t realize the clutter you had in your home, taking a good look in each room will help open your eyes to it. Think about changes you want to make. Ask yourself what would make you happy related to your surroundings.
Get excited about ridding yourself of unnecessary stuff. Daydream about the results you want and then produce them, a single room at a time. If you unclutter your home, you will give yourself the precious gift of an uncluttered life.
Thoughts?
photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/clintjcl/2556897614/sizes/z/in/photostream/
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