Un-Clutter to De-Stress: Steps to Simplify Your Life · •Review a room-by-room guide to...
Transcript of Un-Clutter to De-Stress: Steps to Simplify Your Life · •Review a room-by-room guide to...
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Un-Clutter to De-Stress:
Steps to Simplify Your Life
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Objectives for Today’s Session
• Define clutter
• Identify basic strategies for de-cluttering
• Review a room-by-room guide to de-cluttering
• Learn techniques for disposing of clutter
• Explore other methods for holistic life management
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What is Clutter?
• Low, stagnant energy that constantly drains you.
• Clutter clearing is a very emotional process—it takes
emotional stamina to go through it.
• Once you clear your clutter and have a system to
avoid its accumulation in the future, you will:
– Enjoy higher energy levels
– Experience greater clarity
– Feel a heightened sense of well-being
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Laying the Groundwork for ‘De-cluttering
Getting rid of clutter means doing one of five things:
1. Throwing it away
2. Recycling it
3. Donating it
4. Selling it
5. Organizing and keeping it
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Core Questions for De-cluttering
• How long has it been since I used this?
• Do I like it?
• Do I feel obligated to keep it because it was a gift or belonged to someone important to me?
• Does it work properly? Is it broken?
• Do I have similar things? How many do I need?
• If I keep this, what will I get rid of to make room?
• Can I locate this information somewhere else (probably on the Internet) if I need it?
*Be realistic about repairing broken items!
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Begin with the Basics
• Begin to tackle a room, basement or closet by arming yourself with four large boxes or garbage bags, as well as a laundry basket.
• Designate one of each bags or boxes to hold items for:
– Garbage
– Recycling
– Giveaways or donations
– Yard sale or resale/consignment shop (if you’re not planning to sell anything, you’ll only need three containers)
What about that laundry basket?
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Basics, continued
• Items that you plan to keep but need to return to correct places in other rooms should go in the laundry basket.
• Give yourself a time limit before you start, and use a timer!
• Don’t leave the room at all during that time.
• When your time is up, toss out the garbage, and make one tour around the house with the laundry basket.
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A Room-by-Room Guide to De-Cluttering
Here are the main areas where we recommend you start to clear your clutter (and always keep fresh and clean!):
Bedroom
Kitchen
Front Entrance
Office
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Your Bedroom
Where to start:
• Take out all the items that create visual clutter and do not really belong in the bedroom.
– i.e. the TV, any exercise equipment, office/work related items, storage items, etc.
• Clear the clutter under the bed
• Thoroughly de-clutter and clean your closets.
• Let go of as many items as possible that you have not used in a long time.
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Your Kitchen
Where to start:
• De-clutter & thoroughly clean the refrigerator
• Clean the stove and all the pots and pans
• Let go of all harsh chemical cleaners from the kitchen and replace them with natural, environmentally-friendly cleaners (look online for tips on safe disposal)
• Clean out all the drawers and cabinets—especially that ‘junk drawer’ we all seem to have in the kitchen!
• Wipe clean surfaces, light fixtures, etc.
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Your Front Entrance
Where to start:
• Let go of any objects that are not really needed such as recycling bins, chipped pots…etc.
• Find a way to deal with mail! A small drawer in the closet may be a solution if the space is limited in the entryway area.
• Keep only the ‘in-season’ items in your entryway.
• Bring a sense of beauty to your main entryway – add a mirror, plant or a spot of bright color!
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Your Office
Where to start:
• Bundle up your electrical cords and wires with a twist tie or tubes made specially to contain them.
• Remove the books from your shelves and dust—put back only the books you use/current manuals.
• Remove dead leaves from your office plants. If you have silk plants, dust or replace them if faded.
• Wash your windows if possible.
• Open your top drawer and toss the following things into the trash: Dried-up pens, bent paper clips, plastic utensils and ketchup packets…etc.
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Your Office, continued
• Clean your computer, including keyboard and monitor.
• Keep a recycling bin and/or a shredder near your desk and treat it like a baby—feed it often and change it frequently.
• When mail or memos come in, immediately toss the junk mail, circulars, and FYI mail into the recycling bin or shred it.
• Organize your email into accessible and logical folders.
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Tackling Specific ‘Clutter’ Items
• Clothes:
– Give them away, or ‘lend’ them to a friend if you’re really struggling to let go.
– Or, select some you’re particularly attached to and store them.
• Memorabilia:
– Differentiate between junk and memorabilia.
– Throw out the junk.
• Photographs:
– Organize them—photos can become physical and emotional clutter when they depict people or events that bring up painful or conflicted feelings.
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Specific “Clutter” continued
• Bills/statements:
– Maintain a separate file for bills.
– Keep credit card bills until monthly statements come.
– Service bills can be discarded after payment.
– File away bank/other transaction statements.
• Receipts: Keep receipts detailing a warranty; throw out the rest.
• Important documents: Make a digital record of documents so that accessing them is easy.
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Recycle It
• If you have curbside recycling, find out exactly which items are accepted and which are not. Check to see if there are drop-off locations for other recyclable items.
• Look for hazardous waste pickup locations or events in your area.
• Search online for special programs to recycle computers or other items that you can’t recycle locally.
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Donate It
• Multiply the benefits of getting organized by donating your unneeded items to help others and possibly getting a tax break at the same time!
– Be sure to drop off your donations where you can get a receipt.
• Identify organizations that accept donations of clothing and household items
– Some organizations may pick up large items, such as furniture.
– Other groups, such as Friends of the Library, deal with only one type of item—in this case, used books.
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Turn Clutter into Cash
• Yard Sale/Stoop Sale:
Have ample garbage bags. Much of what is left will truly be trash—don’t bring it back into the house!
Identify a place to donate items—if you need a receipt for tax purposes, end your yard sale in time to load and deliver your leftovers before they close.
• Resale or consignment shop: If there is a shop in your community, call to find out their rules and determine if it’s worth your time.
• Internet: Investigate auction sites or others where you can register and sell used items.
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Realistic Reminders
• Repairing broken items and selling items still in good condition takes work and time—consider whether that’s a realistic option for you right now.
• Have a buddy
– You may reach a point where you feel you can’t make decisions any more.
– Have a good friend, sibling, or your spouse help you. It will make the tasks easier.
• Shred or tear up documents containing personal information that you intend to toss.
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Good Self Care = Less Clutter
• Eat a balanced diet and try to maintain a healthy weight
• Aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night
• Schedule regular exercise as well as ‘down time’
• See your doctors at regular intervals
• Practice relaxation techniques (i.e. yoga, meditation)
• Work on ‘letting go’ and positive self-talk
• Assert yourself by saying “no” when appropriate
• Develop/maintain a support system
• Become involved in the community; volunteer
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Life Change Strategies
• Nurture yourself and your relationships
• Allow adequate time between new commitments
• Try to anticipate life changes and make adjustments you need to make before you are forced to
• Set personal and professional goals
• Create a personal stress management plan and identify someone who can help you stick to it
• Seek professional help – call Work-Life Assist
©UFS
Work-Life ASSIST
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1-877-286-0269
www.work-lifeassist.com
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