Now that we are in March spring is just around the corner here in the UK and thankfully we will soon be converting to British Summer Time and experience more daylight. I like this time of year, as we normally see more sunshine and enjoy some greater colours from the flowering bulbs in our gardens and parks.

I’ve always found that it’s a good time of the year to declutter, simplify and let go of things. It’s said that clearing clutter helps to create some space for growth, new projects and adventures. I find that decluttering energises me and gives me a sense of accomplishment. It helps me to feel lighter and sharpen my focus and prioritise my key objectives. This week, is national spring cleaning week in the UK and a perfect time to do some decluttering.

The Oxford Dictionary defines clutter as a “crowded and untidy collection of things”. That is true but it is only part of the story and describes clutter on a physical level.

A more complete definition would be:

  • Items that you no longer need, want or love
  • Things that are untidy and disorganized
  • Too many things in a small space
  • An overloaded busy mind and too many priorities
  • Anything unfinished which can be projects or emotions

Clutter can affect us on a physical level and have a negative impact on our energy levels and lead us to feel tired and lethargic. It can make us feel stressed and overwhelmed. We can waste valuable time searching for things e.g. looking for a document in a pile of papers.

It can weigh us down, make us put things off, procrastinate and keep us stuck in the past. It can mean that “we can’t see the wood for the trees” and that there is no room for anything new to come into our lives. Disposing of clutter is an important part of the change process and aligns with the Socrates quote “The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old but on building the new.”

Pause for a moment and consider how much of your home and workspace is taken up with clutter.

Clutter prevents us from focusing on what’s really important and valuable to us, our key priorities and the people closest to us. Everything we have has a call on our attention and therefore the more clutter we have means that more of our energy is tied up in mundane matters.

When we clear out the clutter, it allows us to focus and put the important things in our life into perspective rather than being bogged down in the details of day to day maintenance.

The process of clearing clutter is all about learning to let go. It isn’t just about letting go of the belongings but the feelings and fear that keep us holding onto an excess of stuff. Life is constantly changing, so when something comes into your life, enjoy it, use it well and when it is time be prepared to let it go so that you can experience new things.

As well as physical clutter, our minds can become overloaded and we can suffer from mental clutter. A bi-product of the modern world and our access to many forms of technology and distraction. It’s said that our conscious brain can hold just 7 bits of information. Is it any wonder that we can feel overloaded mentally sometimes given that we’re exposed to millions of bits of information every day?

Here are some tips to help you to declutter your mind:-

  • Spend a few minutes at the start of each day getting clear on your top 5 daily priorities.
  • Journal regularly – this allows you to externalise your thoughts. Transferring thoughts and information from your brain onto paper brings greater clarity and inner calm.
  • Get into the habit of 15 minutes quiet uninterrupted time at the start of the day to help you prepare mentally for the day ahead.
  • Less is more – ensure your daily personal and professional action lists are focused, realistic and not too long.
  • Resolve to check your e mail at specific times during the day to stop yourself being distracted from the task at hand. Turn off notifications from your pc and phone.
  • Take a walk at the end of the working day to unwind, reflect on the day and draw out lessons from the day’s events. This helps you prepare for a relaxing evening.

This week, why not take some time out to reflect and consider the following questions:

  • Are there any things that you no longer use, need, want or love that you need to let go of?
  • Is there any mental clutter that you need to let go of?

This week’s quotation:

“When we clear the physical clutter from our lives, we literally make way for inspiration and good, orderly direction to enter.” Julia Cameron

To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk