My word for this year is ‘simplify' and I am using it to focus my mind in all areas of my life – my business, my relationships, my time and my health. Whenever I have a choice to make, I ask myself, ‘How can this be simpler?' As I do this, I tend to breathe a sigh of relief and the choice becomes much easier.
One of the ways I am simplifying my life is through a process of decluttering, clearing space, getting rid of the old and outdated, allowing myself to feel lighter.
When we think of decluttering, we tend to think of having a good clear-out around the house, but there are many different ways to declutter. Here are my top tips for decluttering in your life and feeling fabulous in the process!
1) Start Small
The very notion of decluttering might strike you with dread. How can I clear out my whole house? It will take forever! It's easy to feel overwhelmed, so when you are decluttering your physical space, start small. Pick one drawer or cupboard to start off with. Once you have cleared one area, you will notice the benefits and naturally feel inspired to carry on.
2) Handbag Harmony
Now, it might just be me, but my handbag seems to accumulate ‘stuff'. Whenever I reach in to grab my purse or my keys, I find myself wallowing in a pile of tissues, receipts, leaflets, hair-bands – the list is endless! This means that I feel a low level of stress every time I reach into my bag and that's just crazy. If you are anything like me, take five minutes today to clear out your handbag. Throw away anything you don't need and find a home for everything else. There are very few items that you actually need in your bag and you will find them much more easily once you have cleared the clutter.
3) Calm in the Car
Do you store stuff in your car? Do you drive around with bits and pieces in your boot? Do you have parking tickets, food wrappers and CDs in the side compartments? Does your heart sink a little every time you climb into the driver's seat? I know that feeling. At times I've driven around with boxes of possessions in my boot for weeks that I was intending to take to a charity shop. It drove me mad every time I saw them, but they stayed there for ages. I felt such a relief as soon as I offloaded them. If this resonates with you, do it today! Clear out your car. You deserve to travel in a calm and clutter-free environment.
4) Diary Dilemmas
When you look at your diary, how do you feel? Is there plenty of clear space for you, or is it full-to-bursting? Often we say, ‘yes' to invitations without giving ourselves time to think about whether we actually want to accept. Go through your diary now, and decide what you want to stay and what can go. Be ruthless. This is your time and you can spend it how you decide. Cross out any appointments you felt obliged to say yes to, make your excuses and feel pleased that you've made some space for yourself.
5) To-Do List Trauma
How long is your to-do list? Whether it's down on paper, in your head, or stored in your phone or tablet, does it make you feel overwhelmed when you think about it? When we feel overwhelmed or stressed, we're likely to be paralysed by inaction. Then we end up feeling more stressed and anxious! Make the choice now to simplify your to-do list. Go through and get rid of anything that isn't necessary. Then go through and pick out the three most important things you can do today. Just three, no more. Write those three tasks out and tick them off as you go. You can pick another three tomorrow and so on. Declutter your to-do list and notice how you immediately feel lighter and more in control.
6) Ditch the Downers
I am having some fun with the headings here, but this is an important one. Which people add something to your life? Who in your circle makes you feel good? Who brings a smile to your lips and joy to your heart? Keep hold of them – they are priceless! On the other hand, who makes your heart sink when you see them? Who constantly complains and bitches? Who is it time to let go of? This can be a tricky form of decluttering, but even if you can't remove someone from your life completely (and I'm not talking about hiring a hitman here!), you can distance yourself. You can choose to spend less time with the downers and say, ‘no' to them more often.
7) Mental Magic
This is the ultimate form of decluttering! Often we are running a whole load of habitual, outdated thought patterns and beliefs that just do not serve us. As I've said before, we can choose our thoughts and install new beliefs, so let's start with clearing away any that aren't supportive for us. Over the next week, commit to noticing the thoughts and beliefs that are running through your mind. If you notice any that are negative or unhelpful, like ‘I'm not good enough', ‘I can't do it', or ‘This is too difficult', choose to let them go. Say to yourself, ‘Clutter!' and imagine that thought or belief going up in a puff of smoke. They may creep back in at first, but the more you do this, the more space you will make for new, positive thoughts and beliefs to flow in.
[Tweet “When we make space in our lives, we feel freer to make resourceful choices. @shw_mag”]Pick one declutter action now and do it. Once you've cleared your chosen area, comment below and let me know how you feel.
Happy decluttering!
