Being wrong.

Some people think “learning” is “knowing.”
But that’s not learning; that’s repeating what you know.
Learning is not knowing. Learning is getting a lot of things “wrong.”

Don’t prepare yourself against surprise and not knowing; prepare yourself FOR surprise–say “I don’t know” or “I was wrong” more often. It liberates you from perfectionism.   Patti Digh

Plugged in

but not always connected.

Smart phones and iPads, Facebook and Twitter, podcasts and email, Words with Friends and the nightly news, and and and....
Some devices may indeed be wireless-but we're still tethered.

Once again, more isn't necessarily better-it's just more.
The constantly available stream of information, updates, images, sound bites as well as requests to Like, Friend, LinkIn, support and forward can be overwhelming.

How do you know when it has all become too much?
Just like with other clutter in our lives we need to take a giant step back, take a breath and decide:
Is this how and where I want to spend my limited time and energy?
Does this connection add value to my life and relationships?
Do I have room (mentally and emotionally) for this in my life?
Is keeping up with all this across the cyber world interfering with me making real live connections?

Only you know how much is enough for you.
If you're unsure or perhaps unaware of whether you're connected or just plugged in-try unplugging for a while and see how you feel.
Turn off the radio on your commute.
Only check Facebook once a day.
Make Wednesday TV free.
Leave your phone in the car the next time you go out to dinner.
Call your friend instead of texting.

A less cluttered life isn't just about dealing with the junk mail or hanging up your coat instead of dropping it on the chair-
it's about making decisions about all the interwoven, over lapping, amazingly complex as well as obviously simple aspects of our lives.
And the choices are all yours.

Your collections.

Collect moments.
Not things.

Shoulding on yourself.

Eww....
How many of our thoughts begin with "I should.........."
I should get more sleep. I should eat better.  I should get more exercise. I should learn to meditate.
I should be thinner, richer, kinder, smarter, more successful, a better friend, parent, co worker.
I should be doing more, having more, being more.

Where did those expectations of behaviors come from?
How was it decided that those results are important to you and what gives your life meaning and joy?
Despite the constant Should Tape looping in your mind, why is it that so many of those things never happen?

The next time the Should Whisperer leans in and tries wielding their Should Stick, pause.
Take a breath.
Figure out just who or what is actually behind that urging.
What voice from your past, or the media, or self help book, or younger you is fueling the Whisperer's insistence.

The problem isn't the actions or the results you're hoping to achieve.
The problem is in automatically assuming that all those Shoulds will make your life happier, easier, more successful.
Letting go of the Shoulds happens when you consciously decide which things really are important to you.

You only have a limited amount of time and energy-where do you want to spend it?
And who do you want to spend it with?

Let go of the shoulds that make you feel ewwww....
Decide for yourself, for the life you want to be living now, which actions you want to take.
And begin taking small steps in that direction.
Maybe:
Go to bed fifteen minutes earlier.
Have an apple.
Call a friend and meet for coffee.
Walk around the block at lunch time.
Spend ten minutes in silence on the drive to work.

It's your one true life.
Mindfully choose how you want to be living it.

Simple, but not necessarily easy.

Decide what is important.  Let go of everything else.
Sounds simple enough, but it isn't always easy.

Things we've purchased, gifts we've received, sentimental items, relationships, beliefs, all of Justin Case's stuff.

Although we've committed to having a less cluttered life, moving from desire to action requires more thought and effort than we initially realized.

Some times the letting go is easy-the ugly clothes, the books we'll never read, or the telephone bills from three years ago.

Other choices present us with reminders of who we used to be, things we thought we might enjoy, people who are no longer in our lives, unnecessary or duplicate purchases, and gifts we don't need or even like, but have felt obligated to keep.

It is when we are faced with these harder choices when we need to remember the simple part.
What you want is a simpler life.
A life that holds only what important and supports the life and activities you truly love.
A life of connection and meaningful relationships.
However that looks to you.

Only you get to decide what things resonate with you.
What clothes make you feel fabulous.
Which gifts bring you joy and warm your heart to the giver.
What supplies allow you to make the art you want to create.
How many _______ is enough to make you feel you have an abundant and full life.

It is only clutter if it gets in the way of you having your one best life.

Actually quite simple if you pause and take the time to really think about it.........

Process/Results

What we want is a less cluttered life.
What we sometimes forget is that the process to get there is just as important and interesting as the results.

It is through the sorting and deciding, keeping or giving, arranging and organizing that we realize some of the reasons why we have clutter in the first place.  

When we take the time to look at what is piled up and where, what never gets put away, what we've purchased but never used; we get little Aha moments.  It is in those moments where we can start to shift our mindset or set new priorities about how we want to be living and maintaining our homes.

Sorting and organizing can be tiring, not because we're moving many many items, but because each of those items requires a decision, consideration, and perhaps a mental or emotional connection we hadn't consciously made.  The process literally involves processing our connections to what we own.  (Or may own us....)

By paying attention, making conscious decisions about what activities we want to happen in what spaces, how many is really enough, why  we keep some things and readily  let go of others, and what is the easiest and simplest way to store our belongings; the results of the process of decluttering will be easier to maintain.

It's true that the results/destination are a great motivation, but paying attention during the process/travel makes the journey far more interesting and the arrival more appreciated.

Price vs Cost

Sometimes we confuse the price of something with its cost.

The dollar sign with the numbers after it is the price.

The cost involves not just money, but also what was involved in getting the item to you, how long did you work to get the money to buy it, the time you spend using it, the space it takes up in your life-on every level, and what will happen to it when you no longer need or want it?

Cheap things usually are. Just because something was on sale or a good deal doesn't necessarily mean it's a bargain.
Try to keep in mind the difference between wanting something and actually needing it.  And there's always the how many is enough question!

Having fewer things of better quality, considering cost per usage and better understanding why you purchase certain items will help you avoid bringing clutter into your home.

Before you put it in the cart or hit Buy Now, think about what it is that you're hoping this purchase will change/improve/add to your life and home.

  

Make the money you do spend buy happiness in ways that are important and meaningful to you.

Pay more attention so that the price you pay is worth the cost.

It's your life and your decisions.

Oh, watch The Story of Stuff to get another perspective on the cost of things.