Declutterization

In the spring of 2010 Jersey Canada staff initiated a process that has proven to be extremely valuable and reaped huge rewards. What we did was take part in a truly major version of what is commonly known as "spring house-cleaning".

Major discoveries were made as part of this process. One prominent discovery was that we were keeping/storing many items that we had no use for and thus there was not one valid reason to be keeping those items.
After all if the item is at least ten years old and you haven't used it in at least eight or nine years do you really need to keep it? Really?
We also discovered that there are not that many items that justify their existence on the basis of "sentimental value". When the "pitching" process starts a ruthless approach is decidedly the best one.

Think about some really impressive places, rooms, houses, barns that you have visited. Are they often cluttered? Are they often overflowing with items? The ones I recall most clearly are not stark and essentially empty but are well-organized, living up to the maxim: " There is a place for everything and everything in its place", and radiating a sense of order and peace.
When you declutter and organize those items that remain are either tucked away out of sight or easy to see because they do not compete with unnecessary items.

As part of the process we learned another maxim from a very wise lady who knows the subject of cleaning and organizing inside out. Her words were: "If something remains in your work-space or barn or home you have made an decision that it can stay there-even if you never use it, you simply walk by it and in essence no longer even notice that it is present. You are still making a decision about it every day, if if you don't realize you are!" Now, I grant you that at first that seems far from profound. I do, however, invite you to apply that kind of thinking to the area where you live and move and have your being. A massive percentage of that which surrounds us is there because we have made the decision that it can stay around us! What we have to ask ourselves is: Do we need each physical item to stay around us?? Really and truly? Sometimes the answer will be yes and sometimes no. "When the answer is no, the item should go"! Just creating a one-line poem!

We'll be honest that the declutterization process made a demand on us that we make a ton or two of decisions and that we had to work to do the pitching. BUT.....was this process ever worth it, was it ever laden with value!!!
After a big chunk of two separate days we had the lion's share of what we needed to do done! The results were very close to having a brand new work area!
One extra benefit of the work was that there was a palpable sense of peace in the office once the process was completed. Things "felt organized".

We've also learned that good habits can be maintained. Once you have things cleaned up you really notice piles accumulating. You "nip the rebirth of clutter in the bud so to speak"! You also find that time spent searching for items or information that you truly do need is radically reduced. Without making too much of an issue of it you are partially "taking back your life" when you declutter!

Having enjoyed the immense benefits of the process at work I applied it at home and was amazed by the transformation there! That which was once cluttered is now wide open and those remaining items are so easily visible and accessible.

As another step in the process I "went after" an overflowing e-mail in box and deleted or filed in folders, let's just say " a lot" of e-mails, and made notes on a surprisingly small number that required action.

Ultimately it is a matter of focus and being able to focus on the right tasks and projects. Once decluttering has taken place you can access what you need, when you need it with relative ease.

We've noticed that once you've gone through the process and then followed up by keeping things in order and pitching the non-useful on a regular basis you notice circumstances that could use a serious decluttering. As much as possible should be decluttered so that we can think effectively and save time and spend more of our precious hours reaching goals!

Yes, I'm a convert and a reformed believer and fan of the idea! I know some will argue that there daily agendas are too full, every day, to be able to take part in the "time-consuming" process of clutter-busting. I would argue that you are not consuming time but rather investing it wisely when you declutter! Time and effort spent sorting and letting go of "stuff" can be some of the best time and effort that you'll ever expend. Getting back to the basics of what you need can and does prove to be golden!

Then you have time and desire to sort out the clutter that lives in some minds!

Congratulations to those who have never had to deal with clutter or who have been free from it for years! It is one of life's great delights to "join the club" of those who have wrestled clutter to the ground and vanquished it and want that state to be maintained!

Couldn't recommend the process of declutterization and all the benefits that flow from it more highly! Great stuff it is to release stuff from your life!