Why we need to declutter our lives

Am I the only compulsive purchaser of things that I don't need, want or are ever likely to use ? Am I the only 50 year old teenager who still doesn't know how to keep a tidy bedroom? Am I the only Mother who can talk the talk but can not walk the walk of the need to keep your space tidy? Surely not.

If like me you have all of the good intentions of every time you get your space tidy that you're going to keep it that way, yet within 30 minutes it is as bad as it ever was , welcome to challenge no 2. Apparently creativity is messy, so yeah I am very creative.

Admiral William McRaven, gives an incredible speech, his book is even titled " make your bed - little things that can change your life... and maybe the world." So I am taking my first instruction from him, taking baby steps day by day to make my life less cluttered and a hell of a lot tidier in the process.

A chaotic work space is very much like our mind. If we have too much going on we fall victim to overwhelm, procrastination and an inability to do anything. It is almost as though we are froze in time, and what does this resolve? Nothing, it simply leads to more disappointment and frustration with ourselves.

This next thirty day challenge is an eight step program. Two projects per week to de clutter, organise and fulfil another item on the year of getting closer to the best version of myself. Living within the confines of a cluttered physical space also leaves space for a cluttered mind which ultimately can lead to other mental health issues, so, sorry, I am not willing to go there simply because I was too lazy in the first place to take care of my space.

This challenge is not just related to personal space it may even relate to work space, leisure space or perhaps outdoor space. No matter how tidy you think you are, I guarantee there is somewhere that you have a weakness. Some secret place where the outside world is oblivious to , that you could apply this challenge to- so let's get started. Let's do this together.

The Plan

Although the challenge is primarily for me I thought I would include areas for everyone, something or somewhere that each of us could relate to. Places perhaps you haven't considered as clutter but once we begin exploring over the next few weeks who knows perhaps you will be surprised at what we can achieve.

The areas that we are going to cover over the next 30 days -

1. The refrigerator

2. The desk

3. Purse

4. Closet

5. Digital files

6. Childrens storage

7. Kitchen cupboards

8. Laundry closet

As with all good challenges, we need to find out why? Why should we bother doing this? Everything's fine just as it is - right ? Not for me. My why - I want to declutter and re organise and tidy all of the above just as I do with my mind, it is a new year and a new year brings new opportunities, dreams and desires.

Decluttering gives me a feeling of calm and gives me back control of my space. When my space is tidy I am more relaxed and my thought process is much more clear.

I look forward to sharing my experience with you and can't wait to hear about how this experience worked or didn't work for you, please feel free to comment below if you are joining me in this challenge. Good luck.

xx Lei

WHEN WE THROW OUT THE PHYSICAL CLUTTER, WE CLEAR OUR MINDS. WHEN WE THROW OUT THE MENTAL CLUTTER, WE CLEAR OUR SOULS. - Gail Blanke