Renewed Energy For De-Cluttering

A new year and a new workspace.  Both provided the opportunity to renew my physical, mental, and emotional decluttering efforts.  A progress report from the front lines:

You may recall that I had a workplace move 6 weeks ago, physically joining my department while moving into an office after 5 years in a cubicle.  I set up my office so I could take full advantage of the view out the window and natural light while I work at my computer and at my desk.  I’ve been enjoying the sunrises when I arrive at work in the dark during these winter months.  I’ve kept the walls and desktop pretty bare—not easy for someone who has typically covered her workspace walls with photos and artwork and memos.  I’m finding it calms me to look up from my work and stare out the window or at an open space when my mind is spinning over a work problem.  The open space on the desktop makes it easier to work with my files.  And while I don’t deny the influence of a ceiling and door, I have noticed that the less cluttered and more struggle-free environment has definitely improved my productivity.

At home, I took the opportunity of packing away Christmas decorations to go through and keep just those items that I would likely use in the future.  Out went old strings of lights with faded bulbs and other decorations that were falling apart after years of use.  I’m working my way through boxes of photos and getting rid of duplicate shots, out-of-focus shots, and photos of places and things I can no longer remember.  Since photos and negatives had been hopelessly mixed up over the years, I recognized that it was highly unlikely I would ever go through them in search of a particular photo to copy, so out they went as well.  I went through my clothes closet and pulled out those items I really do not expect to wear again, no matter how much I enjoyed the item in the past.  I scheduled a donation pick-up date and got rid of boxes of items that had been sitting on the floor against a dining room wall for the past year.

My reward is enjoying the feel of more open space in my life.  That feeling helps to motivate me to continue attacking the physical clutter, and expand those efforts to address the financial and emotional clutter that still clings about me.  It gives me the space to think about what I want to create for myself, how I can eliminate the stuff that stands in the way of that vision.  

Baby steps are fine.  I give myself credit for each de-cluttering move I make, no matter the size.  As I go through closets and drawers I’m being brutally honest about whether I’ve used or enjoyed this item in the past 6-12 months, and whether I really still need this item in my life.  I have a tendency to attach a lot of meaning and loyalty to the memories evoked by the objects I save, so getting rid of things is often not easy for me.  However, I am learning that letting go of the physical reminders does not have to detract from the memories. Onwards!

--Dot Snow