Decluttering Made Easy

As the trees slough off their leaves, I am inspired to clear away my own detritus. For six weeks I have culled, cleaned and decluttered my house. Not without effect.

It was evident that our new-found roominess was having an impact on my family. Just last weekend I caught my husband with arms outstretched at a 45° angle from his sides. He bobbed to the left, then to the right.

“Something feels different,” he remarked. “I’m not banging into anything as I walk down the hallway.” After a pause, “What is it?”

This from a man who doesn’t notice my new hairdo after I’ve spent three hours at the hairdressers. Hard work, I tell you. Hard work!

“I got rid of three major pieces of furniture, sold all the kids’ toys* and removed 25 pounds of books from the shelf. What’s for lunch?”

Decluttering is a tactile thing. You really feel the space clear as you reclaim it. My clutter diet has changed the way even my husband perceives our surroundings.

Everything just feels lighter. I see swift surfaces on which you can glide your hand. No knees are knocked or knuckles scraped. Air mingles with the few items left. Wind dances between things.

It is bliss. And it makes me ask myself “Do I really need this?” before I bring anything new into the space we just cleansed.

Defragmenting your own home doesn’t have to be hard. Be realistic. These things take time so tackle smaller projects, one after the other. For instance, if you want to make more room quickly, consider getting rid of extra furniture that no longer works for you. Donate old books to your local library (and enjoy a possible tax deduction). Clear out one closet per weekend until they are all clean.

What area of your life needs clearing today?

 

*Editor’s Note: We sold the children’s toys at their behest. They’ve moved on. So have we!

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5 Comments

  1. Tania Tyler | Whole Living Today

    October 27, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    It is such an empowering feeling as well. The end of August with hurricane Irene bearing down, I really looked at my “stuff”. Living on the water and with the projected storm surge that would have put over 5′ of water in my home (without flood insurance), I packed up my most important possessions and took them to safety. Sitting here after, I looked around and wondered why I had all this other “stuff” that I could live without if I lost everything.

    After many trips to the landfill and Goodwill, I have room and more clarity. It’s a process and I still have a ways to go but I know have a spare room dedicated to a new office / sacred space.

    I even went as far as leaving a job that wasn’t allowing me to live my passions and left a relationship that was taking away my spirit. All part of the process 🙂

    Peace & Blessings,
    Tania

    1. powerofslow

      powerofslow

      October 27, 2011 at 2:15 pm

      Wow, Tania! What an inspiring story. I am so glad you found the clarity you needed, inside and out!

      Kind regards, Christine Louise Hohlbaum 917-477-3788 ++49/177-863-8661

  2. willowdrinkwater

    October 30, 2011 at 1:18 am

    I am doing the same, and luckily have two homeless kids living here helping me sift and sort and throw away things that no longer serve me.

    1. powerofslow

      powerofslow

      October 30, 2011 at 9:19 am

      They aren’t homeless anymore! 😉 Decluttering is so liberating. Rock on, Mama!

      Kind regards, Christine Louise Hohlbaum 917-477-3788 ++49/177-863-8661

  3. Decluttering feels good - Frugal Portland » Frugal Portland

    January 8, 2012 at 7:41 pm

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