November is here and the mall is alive with the sound of Christmas carols. Every year most of us hit the mall in search of the perfect present sooner or later. It can be quite stressful to find the perfect gift for one person let alone for all of our family members and friends. When we look around our homes most of us have too much unwanted stuff, useless clutter, and dust collectors. Have you ever considered what it might be like to have less stuff and more space?
Marie Cerantola, aka clutter coach of Blue Skies Organizer states in her most recent blog that “retailers are selling LOVE wrapped in a red bow. She believes we hang onto cracked, broken, un-usable items from times gone by. We hang onto hostess gifts that we hate and things we never use. We hang onto clothes that won’t and don’t fit and flatter us. Items we purchased or received from people create memories and moments in time. These things may give us joy for a period of time and we hang onto them because we think they create security (I must be loved – look at all my stuff!). People use things to calm and soothe themselves. Buying and keeping more and more things leads to clutter. Mess attracts more mess, and clutter attracts more clutter. And, so the cycle continues. If you are ready to take one tiny step to help yourself, read on…”
Marie’s suggestion is to start with a small space. “Pick one small place: medicine cabinet, sewing box, even one small drawer or shelf. Empty the contents and sort into “keep it” “donate it” “toss it”. Try to use the “touch it once” approach. Clean the space and return the “keep it” contents only. You will have more space INSTANTLY.”
From a psychological perspective less clutter and stuff typically leads to more serenity and peace. If de-cluttering does not reduce your stress, try some of the self-soothing strategies outlined in the last blog. Often when we shop we actually need to calm ourselves. Once we are calm the need to shop will recede. Alternatively instead of clutter, opt for connection. Reach out to people in your life. Go for coffee or a walk with a friend. Spend time communicating instead of spending. A new activity is also an option. If you don’t know where to start there is a website meetup.com that organizes people around interests. If you are interested in board games or hiking or meditation or just about anything else, you will find it on this site. Don’t see anything you like – start a new group.
Plan to handle the holiday season differently this year. Do less shopping. Have less clutter. Create more space. Be more at peace.
Season’s Greetings.
If you need to talk to someone about the stress in your life contact Annette by clicking here or book online. Listening. Guiding. Caring.
