Mindset

Sick of your old home? 5 Ways to fall in love all over again

By Julie Stobbe / November 13, 2018 /

Reading time – 5 minutes


Photo Credit: Bruce Mars on Pexels

My guest blogger is Haley Kieser of Zog Digital.  She always shares an inspiring fresh approach to solving problems in your home.

Our homes are supposed to be the place we go and feel relaxed and inspired. Unfortunately, there are times when it feels very cluttered and closed in. After so much time, we can end up feeling sick of it. It’s time to get you to fall in love with your house again! You deserve an inspirational sanctuary that takes your stress away. Here are 5 ways to get there.

Decluttering

One of the biggest reasons why we feel that we’re getting sick and tired of our place is because we get buried in the clutter. Our home can be a representation of our minds. Therefore, we must professionally take care of both! We can start with professional organizing. The first step is assessing your clutter and really considering what you can let go of. This can be trash or receipts that are unnecessary. Once you identify the trash and trouble spots, you can move on to creating a functional environment that will work for you. Take note of how you feel once you take care of the decluttering. It’s like a brand-new home to obsess with, followed by a brand new you!

[Need help? Let us lend a hand. Read more about our organizing services.]

Painting

Photo Credit: Rawpixel on Pexels

After you’ve decluttered your home, you might be inspired to take things further. What better thing to pursue next than repainting your interior? Assess what colors give you the feeling that you desire and find the complementary interior colors as well. If you’re having a hard time trying to find the right colors on your walls, use your smartphone to visualize what different colors can do for your home. It might not be perfect, but you can get a sense of what it may look like after it’s painted.

Refurnish

Sometimes the furniture can be old and can drag you down. This can be a sign that it’s time to reassess some of your furniture. A new couch or table can reignite the passion for your home and have you looking forward to inviting guests or going home every day! Maybe try sprucing up your media center while you are at it. After all, the living room is where most households spend the majority of their time.

Kitchen

Photo Credit: Sarah Jane on Pexels

One way to get back into the groove of your home is by making it a place where you are excited to invite company. This can begin with the kitchen! The kitchen tends to be a place where most guests start their evening in your home. Whether it’s eating or sharing a glass of wine, you want conversations to be able to flow here. Creating an open environment with an island you can sit at with guests is where most would start. You can even start by changing up the cabinets entirely. The cabinets breathe a lot of life into a home.Small changes in your home, decluttering, painting or updating furniture can give you and your home a new vibrant feeling. Click To Tweet

Smart home

The times are flying by – maybe it’s time to try to keep up! Getting a smart home is easier than you think and can be less expensive than renovation. Just start by picking up a smart assistant and placing it in your home. You can then ask the assistant questions and get instant answers. If you find yourself liking it, you can then dive deeper by getting smart lights, smart thermostats, and smart TVs. All of which will be commanded by your voice! Imagine turning on your television to your favorite Netflix show without having to grab the remote across the room. Pretty awesome, right?

There is a whole assortment of ways to tackle the stale image one has of their home. The most important thing is just trying. In no time the love for your home will be reignited!

Virtual Reality Apps

If you’re wondering what the changes will look like there are apps available so you no longer need to use your imagination.  Technology is at your fingertips and is ready to assist. Augmented reality allows you to overlay computer-generated graphics (such as that sofa you’ve been eyeing) onto real-life viewpoints.

Here are 6 virtual ways to turn your decore dreams into reality. Rachel Cook of mymove says “These mobile apps will help you virtually outline your vision before you hit the ground aimlessly running-and most of them are free. Download away, then dare to dream. ”

Share one way you make a change in your home to it feels fresh and new again. 

Julie Stobbe, professional organizerJulie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, in person and virtually. She enjoys working with her clients to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situation. She reduces clutter, streamlines processes and manages time to help her clients be more effective in reaching their goals. Julie can coach you to break-free from the physical or emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. 

Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca

 Twitter –  Facebook  Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space 

Click here to learn more about working with a Professional Organizer?

 

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Coaching Column 1 – Focus

By Julie Stobbe / May 22, 2018 /

Thank you for the question “How do you recommend managing mechanical “mesmerizing” tasks like data entry that can literally put me to sleep?”

I think we all have tasks that we find difficult to concentrate on and begin to daydream.  Here are a few suggestions to try, let me know if any resonate with you.

  1. Use music with or without words, this may make the setting you are working in more enjoyable and help you to feel like working
  2. Do this task at a time of day when you are most productive and can focus well
  3. Break the task into smaller tasks (batches if data entry, invoicing etc) do a little each day instead of a lot all at once
  4. Add white noise to your working space so you are not distracted by other sounds that can draw your attention away from what you are doing
  5. Set a timer – agree to work until the timer goes off and then change tasks or take a break.  Do this until the task is completed.  Getting up and moving can really help to let you be able to go back to the task and concentrate again.
  6. Give yourself a reward, when it is done I can …….
  7. Change the place where you do the task, perhaps you need a cooler space, a better lighting, an out of the way space, etc

I hope you find that these suggestions can help you to focus and get it done quicker.  If it takes less time because you are focused you will need to focus for less time.

Julie Stobbe, professional organizerJulie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, in person and virtually. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situation. She uses her love of physical activity to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you to manage your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.

Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca

Click here to learn more about her online course Create an Organized Home.

 TwitterFacebook Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space

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Top 10 productivity time killers

By Julie Stobbe / January 10, 2018 /

Carolyn Shannon is my guest blogger today.  Her business Venting Creatively helps people to find creative ways to shine a light on their life from a different view.  She publishes a magazine called Women of Worth magazine.

Being productive leaves time for the things that are important to you

Top 10 Productivity Time Killers

Every day countless hours are wasted away due to non-productive activities. Time is money, so when distractions and procrastination set in profitability will decline. A survey conducted by OfficeTime.net has revealed 10 of the biggest time killers. The main offenders that reduce our productivity are:

1. Emails

2. Surfing the net

3. Watching TV

4. Procrastination

5. Meetings

6. Non-business conversations

7. Commuting & travel time

8. Social networking

9. Cell Phones & texting

10. Dealing with red tape

Types of Time Wasting

There are many factors that lead to procrastination. There are a few broad categories that most time wasting falls into.

1. Indecision.

Perfectionists will often struggle with indecision. Some things may never become perfect, and putting too much focus on perfection will mean too much time spent on one job. Splitting the work into smaller tasks is one way to deal with it more effectively.

2. Avoidance.

Fear of being judged can be the main cause of procrastination. It could be fear of failure or even success. Neither of these is something to be ashamed of. Success should be celebrated, and failure is the best way of learning. Think less about what others may think and more about trying your best at the task at hand.

3. Thrill Seeking.

This is when procrastination is justified because the worker likes the thrill of an approaching deadline. If this is the case it is best to move deadlines closer and set personal targets. This still gets you the thrill of working against the clock, while reducing procrastination.

How to Put an End to Time Killers

The first step to battling time killers is to understand and appreciate the amount of time that is being wasted. What is the value of all that lost time? Time wasters will directly affect your career advancement opportunities and reduce the amount of income you could have received. Tracking where your time is spent will allow for efficient time management. Don’t just rely on your memory to remember what you did during the day. Use a system so that you have a written record that can be looked over and analyzed. This could be as simple as creating a timetable on a piece of paper, or utilizing a computer program or app to record your daily activities. Cutting down on time killers is a good start, but there are other strategies that should be used to effectively manage your time:

1. Define your purpose.

You need to know exactly what you want when starting a task. Without a definite purpose, you will lose focus.

2. Smart goal setting.

Choose realistic and specific goals and targets. It should be measurable so you know when it has been completed.

3. Plan on a regular basis.

As factors change, your plan should be adjusted to reflect the reality of the situation.

To truly beat time killers you need to work on your mindset & stick to your plan for the long term.

Which type of Time Waster Are You?

1. Thrill Seekers

They feel they can procrastinate, as they enjoy the feeling of working against a deadline

Tip: constantly set and adjust deadlines so that you still get the adrenaline rush but are using your time more effectively than procrastinating

2. Avoiders

They prefer to procrastinate as a means to avoid being judged. Whether it is a success or a failure

Tip: Success is a good thing and nothing to be ashamed of. Failure is a way to learn and improve. Focus on doing the best job you can and not on what others think.

3. Indecisive people

They are often perfectionists but procrastinate to shift responsibility from themselves

Tip: Not everything has to be perfect so try to take small risks and use your intuition. Mistakes may mean you learn something new. Try to split the task up into more manageable parts.

Need help setting new patterns and mindsets this year contact me.  I can work with you virtually to help you become more productive and have time for the things that are important to you. 

Julie Stobbe, professional organizerJulie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situation. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.

Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca

Click here to learn more about her online course Create an Organized Home.

 TwitterFacebook Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space

 

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11 Mindsets to fight to obtain organizing success

By Julie Stobbe / July 18, 2017 /

As a Professional Organizer, I hear comments from clients that suggest they will not succeed at getting organized.  When I hear these words and phrases I try to coach my clients through the feelings that are represented in their words and help them to overcome their internal conflicts.

I asked my colleagues from Professional Organizers in Canada to share words that set off alarm bells in their brains, make them take a step back and have a discussion with their clients to help them become successful.

Janet Barclay, Organized Assistant from Hamilton, ON phrase is:

Someone else will deal with it. –  Success in an organizing project occurs when the person is willing to take ownership of the task and decisions that need to be made.

April Miller, April Miller Professional Organizing, from St John, NL word is:

Purge – This word has negative connotations related to eating disorders so sometimes this word is replaced with edit, let go, reduce and part with. How a person thinks and feels about their stuff affects their ability to make good decisions.

Natasha Solvason, Home Free Organizing Solutions, Saskatoon, SK phrase is:

For now, “I’ll put this here for now” –  In an organizing task many decisions need to be made and putting off decisions delays getting the job completed. The more decisions a person makes the better they get at making decisions.

Michelle Wright,  Wide Open Spaces Farm Cleanups,  Smokey Lake, AB phrase is:

“It doesn’t bother me but my (kids, spouse, mother) thinks I should get organized” –  It needs to be the goal of the person to get organized, not someone else’s, because the person will not be motivated to get the job done. Helping people to set SMART goals helps them to be successful.

Set goals that you can attain

Karen McIntosh Murdock,  Your Organized Friend, Saint Albert, AB word is:

“But,” – Anytime a reply starts with this word you know that a problem is going to be suggested for the solution that is recommended. This sometimes highlights that the person is not interested in getting organized and is preventing themselves from being successful by discounting ideas.

Ida Tetlock, Smart Organizing , Orangeville, ON word is :

“Ready” –  Many conversations I have with people result in comments such as…. “Oh, I really need to get your help when I’m READY to organize” or “I could really use your help, but I’m just not READY to tackle this yet”.  It can be an excuse to delay starting instead of dealing with an underlining fear.

Carolyn Caldwell, Caldwell Evolutions Inc., Toronto, ON word is:

“Should” -Translate: someone sitting on my shoulder whispering in my ear that what I’m not doing they think I ought to be doing. Replace with “Could”: the language of potential

Erika Bookbinder, In the clear Organizing, Toronto, ON word is:

“Just” – as in “I’ll just leave it here for now”. Whenever the word “just” is inserted into a sentence, it usually means  that the person is doing something they shouldn’t (I tell this to my kids all the time!)

Shawn Ferguson, Everything Organized,  Kamloops BC words are:

Can’t, overwhelming – These words identify a situation where a client is lacking self-confidence in their skills or knowledge about getting organized.  Fortunately with some reassurance clients can begin to gain knowledge and success.

Alison Lush, Alison Lush Certified Professional Organizer, Montreal QC word is:

Should – When clients think they should be doing something, they may not want to do it, they may not want to do it that way, or they may lack the motivation to do it.

Melody Oshiro, Organize to Optimize Nanaimo, BC phrase is:

“I don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings” – Fear is a big deterrent in getting organized. People can be worried that their decisions may cause problems.  Gaining confidence in decision making makes a person successful at organizing.

In the comment section tell me what words or phrases you have heard people use that stop them from getting organized.

Join my Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space

Julie Stobbe, professional organizerJulie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, in person and virtually. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situation. She uses her love of physical activity to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you to manage your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.

Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca

Click here to learn more about her online course Create an Organized Home.

 TwitterFacebook Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space

 

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Why do I have clutter, how can I let it go?

By Julie Stobbe / June 10, 2017 /

Clutter is different for everyone but most people have some clutter in their lives. There are many reason why it can be hard to let go of things.  Let’s look at 4 scenarios.

Scenario 1: Fear 

Perhaps it is fear that causes you to hold onto things

  • What if I need it someday – fear of scarcity
  • I’ll keep it just in case – fear of uncertainly and doubt
  • I can’t give that away it was a gift – fear of rejection
  • I can’t decide so I’ll keep it and what if it is worth something someday – fear of making mistakes

In an article by Hellen Bittigieg, she talks about: Steps to eliminate your fears and conquer the clutter

  1. As you sort through your items notice the thoughts that come up and begin to acknowledge them, say okay now you’ve got my attention.
  2. Notice where you feel the fear in your body, stomach, chest head ache?
  3. Analyze the fear and try to understand where it’s coming from then thank it and move on
  4. Replace fear with trust
  5. What if I need it someday replace it with all my needs are abundantly supplied
  6. I’ll keep it just in case – replace it with what are the odds I’ll ever need to replace it?
  7. I can’t give that away it was a gift – replace it with my real friends always love and support me
  8. I can’t decide so i’ll just keep it – replace it with I’ll make a decision and trust that everything will be okay
  9. What if it’s worth something someday – replace it with it will never be more valuable than joy, health, friendships etc

Scenario 2: Sentimentality

I have clients who if they touch an object they will automatically keep it, so I hold up the object and don’t let them touch it when they are deciding to keep it or give it away.  Other clients need to touch an item before they can donate it, it is like saying good by to it.

The sentimentality we feel towards an object can be associated with:

  • Someone you loved gave it to you or
  • Someone you once loved used or
  • The object is associate with a time when you were happy. ( memorabilia)

Being able to separate the object from a person or event can be difficult . Learning that you can still have the memory and the corresponding feeling without having the object will help you to be able to let go of  items.

Scenario 3: Control / Personality

Clients will hire me and want me to do their plan.  As I work with them and make a few suggestions about alternative ways to organize things generally they say no and then at our next appointment they usually say I thought about your idea, let’s try it.

Control

  • People want to have control over their decisions and environment. Avoiding power struggles over decisions about what stays and what goes and make decluttering easier.

Scenario 4: The cost of getting rid of stuff

I have clients who want to make lots of money selling their stuff.  Sometimes it is possible and sometimes it isn’t. They will hold onto stuff for garage sales, to put on Kijiji or EBay.  Sometimes they hold onto it for so long that it has lost its value. They think,”I paid good money for it.”

PSSST: The money is already spent…..

Just because it was costly to purchase does not mean that it’s valuable today! Items change in value. What’s important is whether you are using what you have now or,  if what you have is distracting you from the lifestyle you want. If you are not loving, using and enjoying your things,  reconsider their ‘value’.

The important thing is to discover what reasons make it hard for you to let go of things and change those mindsets.

There are 3 things that are true

  • We all have too much stuff
  • It is hard to let go of our own stuff
  • One day we will part with our stuff.

 

Join my Facebook Group Organizing Mind and Space 

Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, in person and virtually. She enjoys working with her clients to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situation. She reduces clutter, streamlines processes and manages time to help her clients be more effective in reaching their goals. Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca

 

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A Day in the Life of a Child with Cystic Fibrosis

By Julie Stobbe / May 24, 2017 /

In May many families are raising money to help find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.  This video show’s one families motivation and determination.

Learn more about Cystic Fibrosis  and how you can help.

Please share your stories in the comments below.

Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, in person and virtually. She enjoys working with her clients to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situation. She reduces clutter, streamlines processes and manages time to help her clients be more effective in reaching their goals. Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca

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National Multiple Sclerosis Day

By Julie Stobbe / May 20, 2017 /

Dancing with MS

Near the end of May  is National Multiple Sclerosis Day.  I have met a wonderful lady who has this disease and conquers it every day.  She has written a book about her life.  It is an amazing story by Eva Marsh  called Black Patent Shoes Dancing with MS.  Go to her website and order it.  It will make you laugh and cry and rejoice with her.  You will learn a lot about this disease in a fun, entertaining way.  If you need a speaker for your group she is the lady for you, always upbeat, insightful and fun.

If you need help organizing because your health may make some tasks difficult, call me and let me be of service to you.

Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, in person and virtually. She enjoys working with her clients to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situation. She reduces clutter, streamlines processes and manages time to help her clients be more effective in reaching their goals. Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca

 

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What are you worried about? Don’t worry; take action!

By Julie Stobbe / January 3, 2017 /

And what does worrying do to us? It causes stress, sleepless nights, stomach aches, arguments, etc., and sometimes it causes us to not enjoy life’s pleasures…..yes?So, who am I to tell you to stop worrying?

While I’m not a therapist or a psychologist, I am a professional organizer who sees clients every day who are worried about all sorts of different things. I’m also an engineer. Therefore, I make no judgments on my clients’ clutter, and I don’t see disorganization as a character flaw: I only see it as a problem to be solved. You’ll be relieved to know I only try to solve it for you if you ask! Friends say, “I don’t want you to come over and see my mess!” To which I reply, “I don’t care about your mess unless you are paying me to care about it!”

Naturally, I have problems too, and I worry about them, but I think I worry less than others do because of the methods I use that I will tell you about.

But first…

I want you to start thinking about worrying as a form of clutter.

What is Clutter? Here’s what I believe:

  • Clutter is anything that stands in the way of the life you want to live.
  • Clutter takes many forms. Little things like paper; big things like furniture; negative thoughts; and unfulfilling activities.
  • Clutter weighs us down. Physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
  • Everyone deserves to feel lighter. My logo, the egret taking flight, represents the freedom of rising above your clutter!
  • Less clutter in your home, your office, your schedule, and your mind means more room for the life you want to live. Less clutter. More life.

So, it’s easy for me to say that worrying is just Mental Clutter, but what do I propose we do about it?

Now let me ask:

Do you believe in the power of words?

Let’s talk about positive words first. I’m thinking of positive affirmations, inspiriting quotes, and prayer of all kinds…do you believe in those things? Do they help motivate you, encourage you, and lift your spirits?

Now, what about negative words? How about verbal abuse from others? And what about negative self-talk? Do you think negative self-talk tears us down and affects us as much, and possibly more than negative talk from others?

Here is a quote I like, which has been attributed to many, but I like the way Meryl Streep said it in her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in the movie “The Iron Lady”:

She said:

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become your character.
And watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.
What we think, we become.

Do you agree with that? I sure do!

So, now, back to worrying…

If you think you can manifest something positive by thinking, talking about, and envisioning it, do you believe you can also manifest something negative by thinking, talking about, and envisioning it?

Or as I like to say:

Worrying is like praying for something you don’t want.

And why on earth would we want to do that?

If you believe in the power of thoughts and words, that’s what you’re doing…aren’t you? Paying undue attention to, and repeating over and over, the thing you don’t want?

If worrying helped, believe me, I’d recommend doing it more often!

With that in mind…

The first step in dealing with Mental Clutter is to identify what you are worried about.

It could be fear, regret, anxiety, shame, guilt…and, actually, it’s fear about a thing, or regret about a thing.

It’s that thing you need to identify, and the more specific you are, the better your chances are of doing something about it.

The next step is to decide: Can you do something about it? Or not?

The Worry Matrix will help you decide what’s worth worrying about.

(Click to read more and download your free copy of the Worry Matrix.)

The Worry Matrix

 

This is probably the hardest part of the whole process. Because sometimes we feel powerless. We don’t know if we can do something about it or not. Sometimes we need help figuring that out. Sometimes it’s become such a habit to worry, and we are so busy worrying, that we don’t stop to think whether maybe we could do something about it.

Or, maybe something’s changed. In the words of Maya Angelou,

Do the best you can until you know better.

Then when you know better, do better.

Part of this step can include determining whether or not your fears are realistic. If you’re anxious about the future, being prepared for actual, likely events is the key to a peaceful mind.

But the bottom line is:  If you are having persistent, worrisome thoughts about something, ask yourself: Can I do something about it? If you aren’t doing anything about it — or if you can’t do anything about it — it’s just Mental Clutter.

If you think you can do something about it – great! Take action!

The pure fact that you are doing something about it will help you to not worry about it so much.

Here are some examples of actions you can take:

Research your situation; Make a plan; Set some goals; Do or delegate a dreaded task; Document vital info; Save money, Make that appointment, Have that awkward conversation.

Forgive someone. Forgive yourself. It’s not easy, but this rationale for forgiveness makes sense to me:

Forgive others not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace.

Also:

Refusing to forgive someone is like drinking poison, and waiting for the other person to die.

Um…right?

If you regret the past and feel guilty about something, but there’s nothing you can do about it, forgive yourself and move on. Remember, you know better now.

One of the reasons why it is so hard to part with your mental clutter is that you’re afraid of not having, or being, enough. Is this because you are comparing yourself to others? Stop it! Have a little faith in yourself.

Here are a couple of quotes I like about not being envious of others:

Grass is greener where you water it.

and

Don’t compare your bloopers to someone else’s highlight reel.

(Especially on Facebook!)

If you’re concerned about what others think, try following Dr. Seuss’ advice:

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.

Here’s another quote I love about having faith in yourself:

A bird sitting in a tree
is never afraid of the branch breaking
because her trust is not on the branch,
but on her own wings.
Always believe in yourself.

What does this mean? Some people would rather trust in God than to trust in themselves. For those of you who want to trust in God, that won’t hurt either. But you still need to do your homework and take action.

Have you heard this expression?

Trust in god but lock your car.

I also like the Middle Eastern version:

Trust in Allah but tie up your camel.

If you really think you cannot do anything about it, then stop worrying about it!

It’s Mental Clutter.

A good example of something you cannot change is someone else’s behavior.

Are you familiar with The Serenity Prayer?

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change the things I can,

And the wisdom to know the difference.

That’s what I’m saying too: Accept what you can’t change, and change what you can’t accept. Get help if you really don’t know the difference.

Focus on things you are grateful for, and on the things you can change (such as your own behaviour).

Examples: preparing for emergencies; planning for your financial future; repairing (or releasing) damaged relationships; and addressing health issues head on.

If the task ahead seems daunting, break it down into smaller steps. Do them one at a time until you are finished, or you feel prepared, or you have established the new habit that will improve your life and help you worry less.

So, what if, despite your best intentions, you are still living with Mental Clutter? If you have tried taking action on things you can change, and you have tried not worrying about things you cannot change… and you are still worried, ask for help from a friend, therapist, clergy member, or someone who can help with your specific situation – like a doctor, a financial planner, a personal trainer, an attorney, or a professional organizer.

Worry less. Prepare more.

Have those difficult conversations! Make that appointment!

Believe in yourself. And live your life free of Mental Clutter!

What are you worried about? What action are you going to take?

Please share with me in the comments!

Let me know if this helps you, and share it with your friends who may need it.

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Copyright 2015-2016 by Hazel Thornton, Organized For Life.

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Julie Stobbe, professional organizerJulie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, in person and virtually. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situation. She uses her love of physical activity to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you to manage your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.

Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca

Click here to learn more about her online course Create an Organized Home.

 TwitterFacebook Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space

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