Relieving Stress

Stress Proof

About 75% of us make lists. It is the one way that our brains help to make sense of our lives. As we cross off items it is a reminder that we are moving ahead, making progress and getting a handle on things.

50% of us jot things down after we've done them! There is such a sense of freedom, space and peace in putting together a list.

If you aren’t a list maker, challenge yourself in the next few weeks to start. The list is not about what you take off. For this exercise it is about what your body/mind might feel like when the list is made.  Your brain can only keep about 7 things in your working memory.  Help it out, put down things as you think about them. You will free the mind to become more creative and productive.

If you ARE a list maker, try something different. Make a list of the things you are grateful for, books you want to read or simply jot things down as they come to mind. No rules, allow themes and solutions to emerge.

TIP:

If anything on your list hangs around for longer than 60 days, it’s not that important. Not worth the
guilt you might feel about it, delete it. #springclean 

Priorities

Often when the process of decluttering and organizing needs to happen we stop before we even get to the gate.  The whole thing seems so overwhelming that we procrastinate.  Our thinking mind works us into indecision and works us into thinking that it isn’t that bad.  We then leave it for another opportune time that never seems to happen.

As mentioned in previous blogs it is really the small steps that work.  The ability to keep in the moment, not project into the future is the key to success.  Too much thinking causes missteps in the clearing process.

If you have had false starts more than perhaps three times it may be time to hire a Professional Organizer.  These men and women have the ability to see spaces, prioritize the needs and work efficiently with you.  Very often you might just need a 2 hour session with the professional just to get you started.

If however you want to do it on your own, here are some steps to help you.

STEP 1

Go into your kitchen and pull out a drawer that is small and needs some help.

STEP 2

Put the timer on for 30 min. Dump the contents onto a counter or in a box.  Now quickly, without thinking or pondering over the items put back into the drawer, anything you want to ‘live’ there.   Recycle the rest.  You’re done!

STEP 3

Find a place or home for the things that don’t belong there.  Put all the elastics in ONE spot, all the twist ties in another location.  And for goodness sake you don’t need 100 twist ties.

Tip:

General rules for sorting through kitchens…keep what you use, recycle or throw away the rest. If you don’t love it or use it, give it away.