Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Reduce Stress and Increase Positive Energy by Clearing Your Clutter

Clutter in your home or office creates stress, because it is a visual distraction that pulls at our attention.

Let's say you need to think through some action plan. Do you:

  • Go to the mall when it's really crowded
  • Take a hike or walk in the woods
The mall will overstimulate, distract and probably cause stress (particularly if you need to think about something.) The hike will allow you to focus and is relaxing.

The visual and auditory distraction of a mall is similar to clutter in our homes and offices. We can only focus on one (or maybe two) things at once. When we are overstimulated by our environment, stress is a result because it is a constant struggle to think.

Clear your clutter (and organize the rest) and you will feel a difference in the energy of the space. With unwanted objects removed and items attractively and practically organized, new, vital energy will flow unobstructed throughout your home.

If you have always had a cluttered home, note the difference in yourself once your space is cleaned up and organized. When your desk and office are organized, for example, you immediately become more efficient. No more anxiously searching through random piles of paperwork as a client waits on the phone. You will be calm as you know where your paperwork is and you will be more productive as a result.

Purging your home of unwanted items and organizing the remainder of your possessions has another benefit as well—you will learn how many things you have accumulated and this will likely result in fewer future purchases. Because it feels so good to purge yourself of unwanted things and because the energy in your environment will feel so much better, you will be turned off by the idea of gluttonous purchasing. End the tyranny of being an uber-consumer! When you do buy, it will be out of necessity or because you truly love an item.

Copyright 2007 by Norma Lehmeier Hartie from Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify & Energize Your Life, Your Home & Your Planet

2 comments:

Tranquil Places said...

Clearing clutter is a must-do for me to feel less chaotic in my head. I love to clear clutter and make the clutter my charitable contributions throughout the year. I clear the clutter out of all my clothing drawers and closets once a year. It is a purging of sorts and really grounds me. I also feel good about giving clothing to women in need.

Norma Lehmeier Hartie said...

Good for you for donating your clothes! Not only is this charitable, but it keeps stuff out of landfill.