Something to read this week instead of watch….

Have you ever had one of those days when you don’t feel like doing what’s on your to-do list? I’m having one of those weeks, and enjoying it, thank you very much. Those things that absolutely have to be done, I’m doing. Anything that is negotiable or optional, I’m not doing. There went my videos for the week. I just couldn’t get into recording mode. I hope I’m also modeling a healthy attitude for you. It’s okay to change the to-do list and actually remove some things or at least move them to a different date. Instead of a video, I have two other items for you.

First, I want to be sure you know about a book called The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family From a Lifetime of Clutter by Margareta Magnusson. She is also the author of The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly. Both are excellent. As we grow older, many of us are faced with a lot of stuff. If we have children and grandchildren, we might be holding on to some things for them. Or perhaps we had a spouse who passed away and we have his or her stuff to deal with. Even the tidiest among us has physical items that will need to be dealt with now or in the future.

Margareta offers down to earth views of how to go about handling your clutter long before death arrives, to clear out our stuff so family members don’t have to deal with it. Her book is not only practical, it’s full of wisdom, good humor, and great life stories. You don’t need to be anywhere near death to enjoy and use the book. Even youngsters in their 40’s and 50’s will find value in her ideas.

The second thing I want to share is a post in a newsletter by my friend and colleague Karen Clifton. Her website is LifeUnstuffed.com and you can sign up for her newsletter there, if you wish. She is a decluttering expert and we hired her to help us when we moved from Washington state to Arizona a year and a half ago. After living and working in the same space for over 26 years, we had a lot of stuff to deal with. I asked her if I could share this with you and she graciously said, “Sure.”

"That was then. This is now"  
I often comment to my clients, in my least Bossy Voice, of course.
 
One source of clutter comes from holding on to items connected to a life we no longer live.
(Or ever did for that matter)
Supplies for a hobby we stopped engaging in years ago.
Sports equipment from an activity we abandoned.
Clothes from a different body or life style.  
Supplies for a Do It Yourself project that will never happen.
 
We want to believe that our lives, tastes and commitments haven't changed.
That we have the same bodies, abilities and interests we had two, five, or ten years ago.
What's true is that isn't the case.
If those hobbies and activities were important to us,
we would be making time and room in our current lives to do them.
 
Take an objective look at what's living in your closets,
stacked on your shelves,  
or piled in the garage;
that no longer has use or meaning in your life.  
Get rid of the unused, excess, nagging, guilt inducing stuff.
 
If you're not quite ready to let go of things (or is it what they represent that has the hold on you?): 
Set yourself a deadline.
If you haven't pulled out the yarn, played tennis,
or refinished the chair by X date,
be willing to admit it and let the items go.
 
 
I invite you to take look at what you've been holding on to
that no longer serves the life you want to be living now.
Admit that yes, you're done with that hobby, activity or project.

It's okay, really.

Give the supplies, equipment and clothes to people who will use them,
right now, for the lives they are presently living.
 
Your letting go will create space in your house and life; physically, mentally and emotionally. 
You'll have more room for this life, the one you're engaged in right now.
Make that life a reflection of the people and activities that feed your soul and fill your heart.
 

 

Let’s keep growing older and wiser! See you next week!

Krysta