I love lists ... and, given my personality, this should come as no surprise. For me, there is an immediate impact and take-away. And, as I gleaned this list I noticed, with great interest, #'s 5 and 7.
#5. Never tolerate a disorganized living space
To some this might sound a tad dramatic, but to me ... it's my national anthem! It's not just a driving need for things to be pretty and tidy, it's bigger than that. It is the pursuit of having a home that is filled only with things that we absolutely love and fill us with good memories, and, to be able to find things when needed. It's having a beautiful and functional living space that lets you relax and recharge. It's about making a place which allows you to focus on what is important to you .. a place to actually live life (crazy concept, right?)
Clutter is an emotional drain - every object in your house requires some sort of attention whether it's storage, physical space, cleaning or maintenance. If things are old or broken; no longer fitting you or your lifestyle; projects lining up to be completed; they take up space in your home and ultimately in your mind. Letting go of things frees up more than just physical space. It cleans up your mental space. If you don't believe me, try it. Take a "mini-challenge". Let's say that you re-work your closet ... keeping only the clothes that you love, fit properly and make you feel fab ... you will find that getting ready in the morning is much more of a joy. Not only loving what you have will be a bonus, but, giving away things (your surplus) to those in need is a rewarding act itself. Or, even selling at a consignment shop provides welcome extra money.
#7 Don't tolerate too much stuff
This one is easy ... "less is more". You can literally apply this theory to almost anything in your life. Fewer things on your shelf means less to dust. Fewer so-so friends, focusing only on your special friends, nurtures relationships and builds stronger and deeper long-lasting friendships. A less stuffed fridge means that it's easier to find foods to eat or prepare; less food will spoil or go bad, and it will take less time to clean out your refrigerator. Fewer commitments in the evenings mean less running around, more dinners together, more conversations and less stress.
Just like anything in life, this idea of organizing is a commitment. It involves letting things go ... and, for many, that is hard and scary.
But, if you give it a try, even on the smallest scale or level, you might be surprised at how much more life you gain.
Feel free to share your successes with me!