You think you wear all the clothes in your closet,
but what’s true is you wear about 50% of them.

You think you know what’s in all the piles on your desk;
but what’s true is you’ve missed paying bills, lost checks, 
and misplaced important papers.

You think you’re going to rewatch all those dvds on the shelf;
but what’s true is there are always new movies available,
and you didn’t even enjoy some of them the first time around.

You think you have the time to finish all those projects you have the materials for;
but what’s true is that hobby no longer interests you or you no longer need or want 
the object you were planning to create.

Clutter can be the result of the difference in what we think we do,
and how we really live our lives.

Take a serious look at what’s hanging in your closet.
Let go of what you don’t wear.

Sort through the paper piles.
Switch to a vertical system of folders, keeping like items together.

Cull your dvd collection.
Consider switching to renting or streaming movies.

Let go of the supplies and projects that no longer interest you.
Make some space in your closet, on your shelves, in the garage.

Create the clutter free reality that supports the life
you want to be living now.

Photo proof of my excuse for not posting last week.

One reason I choose a simple, uncluttered life is to be able to have time and space for relationships.
Last week at a State Park in Eastern Washington my siblings and their kids (and their kids kids)
met for our  biennial Family Reunion. 

Months in the planning and organizing, with lists and crossing out;
making it all happen was fun as well as challenging.

We ate, laughed, swam, played games, did arts and crafts, played water balloon volleyball, 
talked until the wee hours, and ate some more!

But mostly what we did was had experiences, made memories, connected with each other and
left on Sunday a tiny bit richer in our hearts than when we arrived on Wednesday. 

I will admit families can be challenging.
There were moments when I had to bite my tongue.
But, when I’m old (not there yet!)
and I look back on my life, 
I believe it will be the experiences I’ll treasure and not the stuff.

This is now.

Now is where we live.

One cause of clutter, one challenge of letting go of things,
is that we often forget the difference between then and now.

Many of our belongings and habits are left from a time when we had
other interests, priorities, relationships, jobs and hobbies.
Sometimes we miss those activities and the people,
or we imagine that somehow we will find the time to resume that
lifestyle again.
We think that holding onto the stuff somehow keeps then a part of our now.
Mostly it just clutters up our lives and homes, and can keep us looking back; 
when we really need to be looking forward.

Pausing to consider this life now; where you spend your energy, time,
money and commitments will help you let go of things from then.

Letting go of reminders, evidence, supplies and equipment from our then self
can be challenging.  
Yet, choosing to live in the now, surrounded by the items and people that best support our 
current lives and dreams, frees up space; literally, mentally and emotionally.

That was then.
This is now.
Choose to be present.

Unstuff your wallet.

It’s amazing how much stuff people are able to cram into such a small space.
Money, receipts, coupons, ID, loyalty cards, cookie fortunes, photographs,
notes, business cards, etc. etc. etc.

Clear a space on your desk or table and take everything out of your wallet.
Yes, the process is the same whether we’re sorting and organizing an entire room or 
this container.
    As you remove things, throw away or recycle the obvious:  Unreadable scraps of paper,
    unnecessary receipts, business cards of people you have no interest in, expired cards,
    outdated coupons, etc.
    Sort and group like with like.  Money, credit cards, membership ID, business cards,
    contact information, loyalty cards, love notes and photos. 
    Lift all the flaps, check all the pockets, and make certain you’ve cleaned out each section.

Now think about what really needs to live in your wallet.
How much cash are you comfortable carrying?
Which of these cards do you use on a regular basis?
Is it really necessary to have certain cards or ID with you all the time?
Might you be less tempted to shop if you only carried your debit card?
Could you use the Key Ring app and not have to carry all those loyalty cards?
Would entering the information from a business card into your phone’s Contacts list be helpful?
How could you simplify what you’re carrying around?

As you start to refill the wallet, consider which things you pull out on a regular basis.
Make it fast and easy to access the items you use frequently.
Group like kinds of items together. 
(Perhaps even leave some slots empty)

With your wallet, as with your home, try to maintain the One In, One Out rule.
If you’re going to add something to what you’re carrying around, decide which thing you’re willing to eliminate.

Organizing your stuff, no matter where you have it, makes life easier.
Start with a small space. 
Make a difference you can take advantage of on a regular basis.
Choose less to have more.

That’s it.
Be grateful.

Whether someone has just paid you a compliment, held the door for you,
given you change from your purchase, or let you merge into traffic.
Consciously acknowledge the kindnesses you receive.
The little acts do matter.

Saying Thank You over and over throughout the day opens our hearts to 
all that is rich about our lives on a daily basis.

There is much is the world that breaks our hearts, tries our patience,
scares us, angers us and sometimes overwhelmed us.
But, there are moments and events every day that should give us pause
and remind us how rich and easy and hopeful our lives are.

Thank You.
That’s it.
Two words.
You don’t need to elaborate, explain, qualify.

Aloud or silently, express your thanks and gratitude.

There are two ways to have more money:
  Earn more.
  Spend less.

You could work more hours, ask for a raise or find a better paying position.
or
Decrease your expenses.  (I heard the groan, heavy sigh, eye rolling)

Everyone thinks having more money would improve their lives.
And it might.  Or not.

How you come by that additional money may be as important as the cash itself.

An increase in hours, meeting with the boss or starting a job search are all
options you may want to pursue.

Until you’re ready or willing to move in those directions may I suggest
paying closer attention in your daily life and routines to see where the money you currently earn is spent?
I’m not suggesting tracking every penny you spend, or  you vowing to only spend cash,
or planning some elaborate monthly budget-complete with a spread sheet.  
(Although your certainly welcome to do those things if you’d like…)

Just note if you’re throwing food away because you buy it then never take the time to prepare it.
Or you’re buying food you think you ‘should’ eat, but in reality never do.
Or do you buy take out, eat part of it and leave the rest in the fridge until it grows a furry green winter coat?

Do you buy things On Sale that seem like a good deal but
once you bring them home they don’t fit,
aren’t as easy to use as you’d hoped, or the bag never gets opened?

What about the money you spend buying duplicates of items you know you already own but are unable to locate?
Or you didn’t realize you already had six white shirts so you bought yet another, or shoes that look almost exactly like the pair
in the back of the closet you forgot you owned?

Do you end up paying late fees or interest on bills when you have the money in your account you just misplaced the bill
or didn’t open the mail or failed to cancel the subscription even though you never read/watch/use the service?

This week try paying a little closer attention to what you are buying with your money.
Is it the life you really want to be living?
Make conscious choices.  

Some times even just clearing off the dining room table seems a daunting task.
Or trying to bring some order to a book case or closet.
Much less deciding to clear out and organize the garage.

May I suggest  a break down?
No.
No.
Not one involving tears or hiding under the bed or sobbing in a corner.

Break down; as in divide and conquer.
As in just do one shelf, or work for ten minutes,
or five songs on your play list.
Just taking a few little bites of the problem, 
not having to swallow the entire thing at one sitting.

People often under estimate:  Oh, I can whip through this room in an hour.
Or over estimate:  This will take three days and I’ll still never be finished.
(Insert heavy sigh…..)

Remember this clutter didn’t just appear in one hour, 
the disorganization didn’t happen while you were sleeping, and
the fairies didn’t pile things up when you were running errands.

Setting aside a few minutes at a time, staying on task during that time,
and continuing to work in the area on a consistent basis will produce results.

Commit to fifteen minutes a day and deal with one area that’s bugging you.
You will see a difference.
Spend a little bit of time now to create a difference that you will benefit from
every day.

There are several common organizing problems that can easily be solved for under $15.
Display kid’s art work with an Easy Change Artwork Frame.
Get the piles off your desk, but still keep folders handy and accessible with a vertical file holder.
Use ice cube trays (yes, you’re old enough to remember them) to hold jewelry.
Repurpose an abandoned cd rack to hold the lids for your plastic containers.

You know what a fan I am of clear over the door shoe organizers.
Take advantage of the unused vertical space on the back of doors throughout your home.
  Use them to hold craft supplies, cleaning products, small boxes/cans/packets in the pantry,
    office supplies, kids toys, garden tools and seed packets, first aid supplies, make one into your
    vertical junk drawer, and of course, use it to store shoes!

Organization doesn’t have to be expensive.
Simple, easy to use solutions usually work the best.
Small changes can make a big difference is how your home looks, feels and functions.
Make choices that create solutions.

There’s a limited amount of room in your closet,
under the bathroom sink,
in the kitchen cabinets,
on the pantry shelves,
in the file drawer.

Act now.
Choose an area that’s bugging you.
  Remove everything from the space.
  Set aside the things that belong somewhere else in your home.
  Donate, recycle or toss the obvious.
  Sort like with like.

Then step away from the space for a moment or two.
Take a breath.

Decide which items deserve the prime real estate.
 What do you need access to most frequently?
  Put those items front and center.
Arrange the rest of the keepers in a way that makes sense to you.
Leave some breathing room.
  An empty shelf.  Space in the drawer.  A gap on the closet rod.

Space in your house really is limited.
Make sure that what you’re keeping fits, has value to you,
and helps support the life you really want to live.

Choose less to have more…..

Secret of Adulthood:
Focus Not on Doing Less, or Doing More, but on Doing What You Value.   Gretchen Rubin

How we spend our time and our money reflects who and what we value in our lives.

Look at your house, your schedule, your commitments, and how you feel at the end of a day.
Your results reflect your priorities.

By making conscious choices in what we purchase,  
what hobbies and activities we engage in,
and who gets our love and attention;
our lives will be less cluttered (physically, mentally and emotionally)
and more heartfelt.

You get to choose.