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Making Space
Making space in your physical world can have an amazing effect on making space in your emotional and intellectual world too. Clearing clutter works in all dimensions.
This is a transition, so let's transition already. I am not talking about you giving away all your material possessions, renouncing your western ways and living in a mud hut. Nor am I talking about some prissy idea about 'getting organised'. I'm talking about making space in your living space. Space you can move in. Space you can breathe in. Space you can be creative in without moving through, moving around, managing or trying to find things amongst your stuff. There is often a great deal of guilt associated with clearing clutter. There may be items that were gifts, items that were once highly prized but have been overtaken by newer things, items that were useful once but are no longer. We often hang on to things on the basis that 'one day' we may need it when that day is yet to dawn and may never.
We think, 'but that cost so much when I bought it, I should continue to value it. It is wasteful to get rid of it. ' If you are storing clutter, that is what is wasteful. It is taking up your space and being held back from someone who might actually use it. Find it a new home, either by giving it away, sending it to a charity shop or holding a garage sale and get it out of yours. What are some of the things you are likely to come across?
Still waiting for an opportunity to re-introduce fondue to your new circle of friends? Forget it. There's a reason fondue sets feature in every garage sale you've ever been to.
Have a wide collection of corkscrews, nutcrackers and tin openers? Most homes only need one. Keep the best and turf the rest.
You think it might be valuable one day? In your lifetime? Everything will be valuable one day if you wait long enough. Are you a museum? Do you want to be? Are you storing it so your kids will get rich one day off of your rubbish? Are you a (GASP) closet bag lady?
Sporting equipment or hobby gear for pursuits you no longer uh, pursue? Is this to remind you that your knees could once do tennis? Move on hun, it's shuffle board and golf from now on.
Anything that is not working perfectly or has bits missing. I know, you keep meaning to turn the house upside down for the widget you just KNOW is there and makes the whole thing work perfectly. Nup. If you've lived this long without using it you can throw it out. Trust me, that is the only way you will find the widget that makes it work.
And some special sub-topics for clothing.
If you haven't worn it in a year, get rid of it. You're tired of it.
If you are waiting for it to come back into fashion, be kinder to yourself. Things never come back into fashion exactly the same way each time. Your skimping will be recognised.
I will wear it again when I lose weight. This is just cruel. If you lose weight you deserve to buy yourself new outfits.
Give yourself a break. Clear clutter in your physical space and you will notice the clearing of clutter in your mental space. It's astonishing.
Other articles in the Setting Personal Goals section:
Setting Personal Goals
Setting personal goals at regular stages is the way we move forward and mark our progress. The third age is one of the key refocussing points in your life, so don't ignore it.
| Retirement Advice
Retirement from full time work is one of the most anticipated rites of passage in working life. But as soon as you get close, some tin pot expert will tell you why it's bad for you.
| Unlock Your Creativity
You might not think that you are a creative woman going about your daily tasks, but you are. Unlock your creativity and astonish the world and yourself!
| Making Space
Making space in your physical world can have an amazing effect on making space in your emotional and intellectual world too. Clearing your clutter works in all dimensions.
| Clearing Clutter
Clearing clutter will clear your mind and space. After that, it's about storing by proximity for ease of use.
| Adult Education
One of the great things about getting older is that you can indulge your interests rather than worry about the necessities. This applies in spades to adult education.
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