Living for today and not the "what if's"
I was especially taken with an article I read in Family Circle (November 2009 Issue) called House Call (by Meredith Janson). Not realizing what the article was (after all it was under the "Health" section of the magazine), I was pleased to see this discussion about....
...how clutter effects our overall health and quality of life.
The author brings in all the experts that I love and follow, Laurie Marrero (Clutter Diet), Peter Walsh (Clean Sweep), David Allen (Getting Things Done) and Julie Morgenstern (SHED Your Stuff). It really is an amazing thing to think about how your stuff truly does effect our overall health. Too often I hear about clutter situations and how it effects the household and one's quality of life (or in some cases even death).
It's an interesting thing... clutter. Most people really do have genuinely a relationship with their clutter and often, find that it fills a space in life similar to like a family member does. Taking it away would make them feel badly and often sad. One of the points made in the article, which is frequently an "ah-ha" moment for some, is when they talk about the "what if's."
- What if I need that someday?
- What if I can give it to a family member or someone who will need it?
- What if it I should find a better way to recycle it?
- What if it will harm someone or the earth?
The "what if's" are a never ending list and there will always be a reason to have a "what if". Taking a look at how the clutter is impacting your life TODAY is where the focus really needs to be. Ask yourself...
- ...what are you sacrificing TODAY to keep your clutter around?
- ... are you living the life you want to TODAY?
- ... what does keeping the stuff do for you TODAY?
- ... what value does keeping the stuff give you TODAY?
Are we living our best when we can't eat a meal at the table with our family?
Are we living our best when we can't invite our loved ones over for dinner?
Posted by Megan Spears at 10/19/2009 10:31 AM 
Categories: Organizing,Motivation,addictions,reading materials,YES TO LESS; hoarding
Tags: article reference hoarding organizing
Categories: Organizing,Motivation,addictions,reading materials,YES TO LESS; hoarding
Tags: article reference hoarding organizing
Gosh... It has been quite a while since I last visited your blog (though I do read your feed regularly in GoogleReader)... Love the new look!
Reply to this
This is so, so wise! Thank you.
Reply to this
Thanks for being so great! I hope you have a very happy holiday season!
Reply to this
Most people really do have genuinely a relationship with their clutter and often, find that it fills a space in life similar to like a family member does. Taking it away would make them feel badly and often sad.
Reply to this