For all of us who accepted our 365 Days of Decluttering Challenge for 2010 at the beginning of the year, we are almost at the end of our challenge. I truly hope that no matter how you may judge your progress, that you feel amazed at what you've accomplished because any clutter gone is better than none!The last Focus Challenge being issued this year will be another thinking one; a little something to consider as we head into the new year, fresh with promise. Write down all of the reasons behind why you chose to accept your 365 Days of Decluttering Challenge. Look over your list and put a "P" (for positive) or "N" (for negative) next to each one. My list is below.
* to decorate my home with items that I would choose today (not keep just because they had been given to us when we were starting out) P
* stop eating so much processed food or going out to eat N
* only buy what I will use P
* don't get stuff that will be put off on my future self to do N
As you can see, they are all good for me, therefore positive. However, I didn't word them in that way. I was using these "improvements" to mentally beat myself up about choices I'd made in the past so that's why I gave them a (N)egative rating.
The challenge is to inspire a routine approach to looking at our stuff for signs of it being clutter. A routine that we can keep up with and develop into a lifestyle change...not to get on a decluttering high that will lead to a de-motivating crash & burn.
To me, decluttering doesn't end. We all buy. We all consume. And we all have the potential of letting clutter in the door or keeping it here when we get more stuff. Pretty much, we all have to decide what stays and what goes, because there is always more clutter trying to make its way into your space and into your mind.
The act of decluttering is not meant to be a weight around our neck dragging us down either. The processs is meant to lighten our baggage, both physical and mental. We are doing this to better our lives so each reason on our list of reasons should be, or can be redefined to be, one that is a (P)ositive in our life.
Over the next few days, consider revising the wording on any items that have a "N" next to them. Your past self was doing the best it could do at the time; now your present self is going to use perspective gained during your decluttering challenge to spin those reasons around and make them positive. I hope you'll also add a few more positive reasons why, from this time forward, you are doing this decluttering for you.
Here are mine:
* to decorate my home with items that I would choose today (not keep just because they had been given to us when we were starting out) P
* remove processed food from kitchen & purchase fresh food to eat P
* only buy what I will use P
* think about future self's needs more P
For those who are still in progress on their challenges, past Focus Challenge ideas are available to inspire you during the months ahead. And I am here, ready to share motivation and cheer you on, if you need it. My email address is in my profile.
Are you accepting another 365 Days of Decluttering Challenge for 2011?
Top 5 Posts:
How I Define Clutter
Decluttering: A How-To
I'd Rather Stay Home From Work and De-junk
Decluttering Made Simple (27-17-7)
Ever Felt Afraid to Declutter?
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When de-cluttering, consider using a professional cleaning service. We can help and not suffer from guilt pains.
ReplyDeleteDear Suzanne--I would like to e-mail you about this challenge. I hope you're still checking this blog for comments. I tried to e-mail you but it went right into Outlook instead of showing me an address.
ReplyDeleteI have some concerns that are private and I'd rather not post them on here. When I get onto my own private computer I will try the e-mail thing again. Thanks!