Declutter your life to make way for the essential

I think it’s great that spring is here now. It’s my favourite time of the year, the air is so different, all the beautiful colours mother earth is presenting us with, and the days are finally getting longer again. And in addition, this gorgeous weather we are having at the moment, I just love it.

All this despite the omnipresent virus-panic. Amazing, right!? 

The coronavirus makes some of us work crazy hours to take care of all our physical well-being. A huge thank you to all of you, and please, stay healthy.

Most of us are staying at home, trying to avoid spreading the virus even more. Of this group many still work home office and have the kids at home – good luck to you and always remember, this too will pass!!!! 

And, there is another group of us, staying at home, less or no work and more time at hand than they might wish for.

Generally, most of us are spending more time at home, and have more free time, due to the present outer circumstances. So, what are we going to do with the additional time at hand?

My suggestion would be to make good use of the time at home in order to be ready to take off after the virus. I want to show you 3 steps of my energy management in the coming days. You could also see it as some kind of spring cleaning, but not only for your home and office, but also for your mind and your behavioural patterns. 

The first step, we will take together, today, is decluttering your home and office space.

It can be hard to concentrate and focus when we drown in clutter. The junk we all collect over time, all this clutter, can drain our energy and can be quite stress inducing. It weighs us down and literally invites more chaos into our lives. 

Even when your flat seems orderly on the surface but inside your cupboards, wardrobes, drawers, etc. resides chaos, it will affect your energy. This also applies to our attic, basement and garage.

When we declutter and clean our homes and offices, we release energy blockages and the energy can flow freely again. While doing so, very often the same happens inside of us. We create order in our mind, we gain more clarity in general, we start feeling more energetic and stronger, we create well-being for our soul.

When we want to establish change, when we want to bring something new into our lives, it would be sensible to create space first of all. One way to do so, is to declutter our home and/or our office. 

Decluttering means to throw out everything, we don’t need or like anymore, and to create order for the rest of our stuff. While doing so, we automatically start thinking about what we really need and want – in our homes, our office, our life – and what we really do not want and need anymore. This helps us to open up space and to clear our mind for the essential things in our life, to gain clarity.

     1. Put your mind on decluttering

Accept that you are not your stuff and your stuff does not represent who you are. They are just interchangeable objects. 

If you think it is a pity to throw away and waste all the good stuff you have, remind yourself that decluttering does not necessarily mean you have to throw things away. You could sell it at a flea market or on ebay. You can also give it to a second-hand shop and someone who really likes and needs some of your stuff can buy it at a reasonable price. I personally am a member of a Gospel choir. There is always someone who needs something.

When we share our goods and chattels with others, we experience personal growth. And you might agree with me, that collecting and keeping everything to yourself is kind of selfish, or isn’t it? Furthermore, everything that’s just lying around in your shelves and cupboards, not being used, might make someone else happy.

One simple and helpful rule in decluttering is:

Everything you have not touched, used or worn in the last 18 months goes out.

     2. Set yourself an adequate and realistic goal

This could be something like, “Today, I am going to sort out my bedroom cupboard, or my drawer desk, or my desk in the office.” Set only goals you can achieve in one day. In case you have a goal, that might take longer than one day, set daily milestones. For example, you have a wardrobe which is six meters long full to the rim. In this case you only do one part (like one meter, or one door) of it every day. 

Attention: No one can do everything at once. Setting your bar too high, you will – most likely – either never start, or never finish. Both options clearly having the same disappointing result. Therefore, one step at a time. Even doing baby steps will get you to your goal, eventually. Rome was also not built in one day.

Once you have get started with your task, make sure you have a regular break every 60-90 minutes for 10-15 minutes. You could set a timer not to forget about it. Do some stretching, walk around the block, call a friend, have a cup of coffee/tea. If your chore takes longer than 3-4 hours have a proper (at least 30 minutes) lunch or tea break. Have something light to eat and rest a bit. However, do not stop decluttering before you have finished; and stop once you have reached your goal. No more at the same day, okay. There are more days to come. 

There is only one exception to this rule which is when you find yourself doubtful about more or less anything you touch; or when you find yourself in a rage throwing everything out that comes into your hands. Either way, stop for this day and think of a new date to continue decluttering. Mark this date in your calendar and maybe set some kind of reminder.

You could also decide to declutter for 15 minutes every day and be amazed how much you will get done.

    3. “A, B, C” – an easy-peasy system with a huge effect

Best is to take three bags, boxes, baskets, etc., or just make space in a different room than the one you are decluttering for three piles and mark them:

A) “Throw away”

B) “Sell it” or “Give it to charity”

C) “1-year box”

Arrange an extra pile for the things you want to keep.

“A” and “B” are self-explanatory. “C”, the “1-year box “, is for some rare objects you are really not sure if you can let go of them, yet. Those objects go into this box – and make sure it is only ONE box and not too big. Once you have finished decluttering your home you seal the box properly and write the date in one year’s time on it. Store it in the attic, basement or garage, on top your cupboard, etc. Remember to write a reminder in your calendar or your timer to review the box at that time.

After one year you can take the box out again and most properly you won’t even know anymore what is in the box. Open it and decide what you want to do with those objects in the box.

Use this one simple technique for your whole environment: your rooms, basement, attic, garage, and your office.

6. Celebrate

Celebrate your success, reward yourself, pamper yourself with e.g. a long hot bath, a gorgeous meal, your favourite movie, a long walk in nature, whatever your heart desires. Do yourself a favour, forget about online shopping as a reward .