If you want to stay focused while decluttering and have a lot of fun during the process, then you’ll love this new episode of the Midway Decluttering Show.
My special guest in this episode is Beth Dargis of My Simpler Life. Beth is so prolific! She offers ton of practical tips and solutions at her blog. If you feel overwhelmed by a world of do more, do it faster and do it perfectly, then you need to pay attention to what Beth has to say.
Moreover, Beth is one of the awesome contributors to my book Midway Simplicity. This is what she said about the book: “You could go all over the internet to research simplicity. Or you can check out Tohami’s book which distills the best ideas from simplicity experts.”
Enjoy watching this new episode
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Here are some decluttering notes that I took:
- Since accountability is so important, you need to find people you can declutter with and have a lot of fun together (Check out Beth Dargis decluttering group)
- You can start decluttering by focusing on ‘one little spot’ at a time. (Check out Beth’s free decluttering calendar)
- Decluttering doesn’t have to happen through long, intensive and tiring sessions. You can decluttering little by little through out the day.
- Keep reminding people around you of how clutter makes you feel, so that they understand the reason behind your decluttering efforts…and, may be, join you!
- Decluttering has a domino effect. When you start it, you naturally inspire other people to follow your path.
- You can keep your sentimental items, but it is helpful if you keep them in a specific container or space.
- You don’t want to live in your household with too much of the past, because then you have no room for your current life to grow.
- If you’re afraid of losing the memory associated with sentimental items, write down the memory and you’ll always have it.
- If it doesn’t make you feel good or is not useful in your home, then it is not valuable…even if it was a precious gift!
- If you concentrate on the now and fully embrace the present, you won’t be concerned about “what if you need something in the future”.
- Always follow the “one in, one out” rule while decluttering, in order to control your purchasing desires.
- Keep these 3 questions in your wallet and review them before buying a new item:
- Can you afford it without credit?
- Do you have a place to put this in?
- Is this something you need NOW?
- So many things are stored for the past or the future that there is no room for your ‘now’ life.
- Do one decluttering action a day that takes no longer than 5 minutes.
- Don’t move around all over the place, because you won’t see a progress. Stick in one spot until it is done, then move on to the next spot.
- Don’t be worried or anxious about making a wrong decision while you declutter. You can almost always find anything you need again.
How do you stay focused and have fun while decluttering?
Please share your experience in the comments.
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Beth is starting a new time management class on March 4th. I highly recommend this class for the overwhelmed individuals who want to feel more ease, spaciousness and less stress.
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For more simple living tips, follow me on Twitter @MidSimplicity
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great post! I’ve participated in Beth’s Declutter Group & found the accountability, support & fresh ideas very valuable. I seem to declutter best in bursts – I’ll set my phone to start & stop times. When the stop time sounds, If I want to keep going I do. However if I have become distracted I am reminded to get back to it
That’s a great tip. Doing the decluttering work using a timer makes it easier and not too time consuming.
If you’re afraid of losing the memory associated with sentimental items, write down the memory and you’ll always have it. – I think this is great advice. You can even upscale that by taking a picture of the item and compiling all your memories in a special book/album/scracpbook. Or a memory tree/wall where you put the pictures and attach the story of that memory to the picture. You can write the story in a sticky note or on a small sheet of paper.
A memory wall is a great idea Jorge. So many people forget that they have accomplished so many things in life. Posting the memory in a distinguished place will keep it alive!