Last night, I curled up on the couch after dinner and treated myself to a movie. From the many choices, I decided on an old favorite, “Father of the Bride,” starring Steve Martin. In it was an old Ella Fitzgerald song that I had totally forgotten about titled “Give Me the Simple Life.”
It reminded me that it’s that time of the year again—time for household inventory and a bit of decluttering. Where does this stuff come from? Why am I hanging on to it when I haven’t used it for years? What is inside those boxes that haven’t seen the light of day for the past decade? What purpose do these things serve in enhancing my life experience? The nice thing about the process is that it can also be a productive time to look at all the “clutter” inside my head (that “sinking thinking” that Zig Ziglar used to talk about, because we know that the mind does what we tell it).
So while I route through the closets and cubbyholes, I expand the process and refresh my daily schedule. Here is my plan to simplify life and maximize my enjoyment of it:
- A simple morning routine: shower, brush teeth, dress, and make the bed before coffee. Coffee is my payoff for the discipline to get ready for the day.
- Review, rotate, donate, or discard clothes to declutter the closet. My payoff is space for a special new item.
- Breathing fresh air every day. Just going outside and walking around the yard, experiencing the weather, looking, listening, and breathing deeply is refreshing and perks me up.
- Tidy up and prioritize my workspace to organize my thoughts on the main task at hand. The reward as Winchester said in “M*A*S*H”: “I do one thing really well and then I move on.”
- Take a break! I cannot do it all. I have limits. When I start to feel overwhelmed, I need to step back, reevaluate, and simplify. The payoff is acknowledging that I’m only human and that saying “no” is OK.
Please, tell me what works best for you. I’ll be listening.
I Care, Barb
By Rebecca Achilles April 28, 2021
I have just started the “declutter” journey! Thank you for the inspiring words to help make this task more manageable! I have three bedrooms that I am sorting out & I must not take too long pondering what to keep or I’ll never get the job done! Remember to KISS yourself by “keeping it simple silly”…
By Rebecca Achilles April 28, 2021
I have just started the “declutter” journey! Thank you for the inspiring words to help make this task more manageable! I have three bedrooms that I am sorting out & I must not take too long pondering what to keep or I’ll never get the job done! A good cleanse is worth it’s weight in gold!
By Ronald or Laurie kuklinski April 17, 2021
Thank you Barb I have Lots of trouble with #4 I need to remember the quote you put from M*A*S*H* one thing at a time.. I go from one thing to another. I must remember ONE at a time.
By Ardith (Joyce) Munroe April 18, 2022
Yes, I too get sidetracked and must remember “one thing at a time”, no multitasking. Thanks for the reminder.
By Alma April 16, 2021
Ever since my husband passed away I am having a hard time decluttering my desk and work table, I start but never finish. any suggestions please?
By Carol Mac Aulay April 15, 2021
Very interesting that you wrote about decluttering. I accomplished that two weeks ago. Clothes that are never worn or will be. Some with tags still on them. We have an organization here on Prince Edward Island that gives away needed items to needy families. I was more than happy to help out other people while getting closets cleaned out. Glad you are out and about getting some fresh air and enjoying your yard walks during this time. We are doing well here on the Island with six cases of Covid. Take care and keep up the writing. I enjoy them very much.
By Norma C. Holcomb April 15, 2021
After reading this………all I can say is WOW! How did you know? I am in the process of decluttering my office. I am a volunteer/worker for 2 organizations. My work habits are good with them. I have been with one group 25 years and the other 14 years. I can tell them in a minute what the bank balance is, posting is always up to date, forms are filed on time etc. Then comes my personal life. I have so much paper clutter. I hve been working on that and doing a good job….so far. #4 on your list made me realize that is what I have been doing. and to keep doing it every day. Then when I think I am all done, start again. Keep making a list for each day, mark them off at the end of the day, and tell myself “you did good today”. #5 Simplify my life. Thank you for making me realize I am on the right track. Watch out trash can, another load is on the way!!!!
By Carol Ann McTigue April 15, 2021
So agree and acknowledge that it is time to find new homes for things that are just sitting in a drawer or hanging in a closet. Many are in need or just would appreciate something that is new to them. Thanks for the reminder. I’m thinking small steps like a set number of items or one drawer a day with my favorite music on to help it along. Feeling that the item was appreciated and passing it on feels right to me.
By Irene R April 13, 2021
Good reminders! Prioritize and simplify is key here. My disability is getting ahead of me and have had to do without some of the homemade things I have always done and go for more ‘convenience.’ And throwing out old and unused things is ‘cleansing’ to the soul.
By Janice Johnson April 13, 2021
Oh my you put that nail through the board! I do needed to read this! Thank you
By GAIL KITTMER April 13, 2021
Terrific message! When I am cluttered my mind is cluttered. Then my weight goes up! Am so thankful for your encouragement, Barb! Even today on TOPS, discussion was on portion – this applies to decluttering, as well – step by step – can’t do it all at once!
By Sylvia Duncan April 13, 2021
I love all of your very thoughtful perceptive suggestions but I also like to share creative ventures such as music, writing or art . It is important to me to share prayers or meditative thoughts daily with others, “real voice” rather than on social media.
Keep up the great support,Barb.
By Marjorie Gaulton April 13, 2021
Downsized 2 years ago but really need to go thru my closet again! Tks for the reminder
By Shirley Renaud April 13, 2021
I needed this so much at this time..thank you Barb.
By Joyce Hayward April 13, 2021
Thanks Barb. I too decided to declutter and chose the hundreds of family pictures to sort out and distribute to family members who may enjoy looking at them and reminiscing. Big job but satisfying.
By Nancy Strauss April 13, 2021
Thank you for these helpful hints. I have been staying in my house most of the past year unless I really have to go somewhere. But we have started meeting again so I do get out more and have had both my shots so I do more outside more.
By Molly Davis April 13, 2021
Fits my life right on the button.
By Cat April 13, 2021
It’s “AMAZING” what you can do when you set your mind to it and have a time line to get it finished before going on vacation w/family. What I am working on now is getting rid of paper clutter by taking advantage of a free shredding service offered on certain days this month…since husband has been retired for two months now, he inspires me by his “motivation” (He is used to getting things done at his job and had his own dept. for 37 years! People would send in letters praising his work as well.) in discarding clothing via donation and fixing everything!!! Agree w/u that it’s important to take “time outs” after finishing projects and our “plan” is to go on vacations in order to break up the “all work and no play”. (Just bought a new beach chair and beach cart too!);D Thanks, Barb, for your well said “Moment Of Truth/How-To-Simplify-Your-Life.”
By Gina April 12, 2021
I have issues with 4 and 5. I am working in them but not succeeding. Always seems I need more time to get through everything. Good advice. Thanks, Gina
By Cathy Avallone April 12, 2021
Thank you for this. No. 1 is excellent. If I go have tea before I get dressed in the morning I sometimes don’t get dressed till noon. I am doing this, no tea until all that other stuff is done and I can feel accomplished. Also will be moving out of my house in maybe a year or two and No 2 will get me going. Thanks Barb!!
By Teri April 12, 2021
I spend some time on Sundays thinking of what my priorities are for the coming week and then schedule them on my calendar. Limit to one/day and most days I get them done and feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the week
By Phyz Peck April 12, 2021
Thanks, Barb. I’m beginning to have trouble with my life after living in for 1 year and 2 months at home aloneI think you have excited me to the point where I am going to try something new, since going to TOPS is out of the question. Anyway, thank you – you always have some good, new ideas.