Tag: clutter

No Fooling: April Is the Best Month to Declutter

Posted on by Jordank

Pranksters throughout the world like to kick off April with a deception that makes a “fool” out of gullible believers. From schoolchildren slapping paper fish on their friends’ backs to news reports that the Eiffel Tower is being dismantled, pranks big and small have tricked and amused many a person over the years.

But all fooling aside, April just might be the best month of the year to #declutter and #organize.

April is a month of rebirth. Flowers start to bloom and the weather gets more pleasant. And yet, it’s still too early in the year to be chockablock with social occasions, deadlines and all of the other things that tend to crowd a schedule. It’s the perfect time to spend a few hours or days sorting through your #stuff.

A great place to start is in your #clothes closets. You’ll be swapping out heavy coats and sweaters for breezier garments soon, if you haven’t already; why not make April the month you take a complete inventory of your #clothing? #Store whatever you want to keep, and #donate anything that just isn’t being worn to ClothingDonations.org.

#Spring #cleaning will unearth even more #household items that you no longer want or need, and April gives you the chance to throw open the windows and make a fresh start. As you #declutter, #clean and #organize, decide if you want to stage a #garage or #yard sale at some point in the near future, says Simplify 101; early-season sales tend to be a big draw.

#Clutter itself can make #fools of otherwise rational people. “#Clutter is a master of deception, tricking us into believing that it enhances productivity, comfort and creativity when it does the opposite,” says Miss Organized. “By unveiling the illusion of clutter and taking proactive steps to #declutter our lives, we can cultivate a sense of clarity, purpose and serenity.”

Don’t be the butt of your own joke or waste another minute of your April. Start #decluttering, #cleaning and #organizing now, and you’ll get the last laugh.

Embrace Simplicity During Lent and Ramadan

Posted on by Jordank

The season of repentance arrives for approximately 3 billion people this week. Christians and Muslims throughout the world will begin observing the traditions of Lent and Ramadan Feb. 17 and Feb. 18 by engaging in fasting, prayer and abstinence.

If you’ve ever wondered why the observances are so similar, it’s because the two religions trace their origins to the mystical experiences and religious quests of Abraham. Lent commemorates the 40 days the Hebrews spent in the desert; the month-long Ramadan recalls the moment God revealed the Koran to the prophet Mohammed and follows the broader theological principle of advancing toward holiness on a pilgrimage.

Whatever religion you practice, the season invites everyone to embrace #simplicity. Even if you aren’t observant of a major religion, the monthlong or 40-day timeline can support you in your efforts to be more sensible, healthy, penitent and/or #organized.

Lenten sacrifice calls for prayer, fasting and almsgiving. You may be familiar with the season’s abstinence from eating meat (particularly on Fridays) or individual choices such as abstinence from temptations such as chocolate, alcohol, television or gossip. Almsgiving includes #charity in many forms, including #donations of money, services and goods.

Similarly, Ramadan suggests that Muslims strengthen their connections with Allah by practicing selflessness. “Through acts of charity, Muslims express gratitude for their blessings and demonstrate compassion towards others, embodying the values of empathy and kindness,” says Al-Ayn Social Care Foundation.

For Christians, Muslims and anyone else who feels beset by #clutter, we offer a simple strategy to add to the calendar: #Clean out a #closet, drawer or other #household space and #donate any #extra #stuff to  ClothingDonations.org. You can feel good that the simple act of almsgiving will go toward programs that help #veterans in need.

Whatever else you choose to do during the season of Lent and Ramadan, make a #donation! Whether or not it is part of your religious observance, it will help you embrace a more ascetic and sustainable existence.

Go for the Gold in the Decluttering Games

Posted on by Jordank

In the spirit of the Milan Cortina Winter #Olympics, try “gamifying” your household #cleaning and #decluttering efforts. One strategy is a 30-day minimalism challenge that asks you to declutter X number of items based on the date of the month — one on the first, two on the second and so on. In a 30-day month, that’s more than 400 items you can #donate or #trash! Even if you do the challenge for only a week, it can help your #decluttering and #organizing efforts snowball, Apartment Therapy says. Go for the gold by scheduling a #free #donation #pickup with ClothingDonations.org. #OlympicDecluttering

Schuss Your Way to a Clutter-Free Home

Posted on by Jordank

#Decluttering takes on an #Olympic bent when you attempt the “ski slope” method. “Much like skiing, where you don’t start by going straight down the hill, the ski slope method allows you to crisscross a room, one small section at a time, building momentum as you go,” says its originator, “home therapist” Anita Yakota. “By focusing on smaller areas, I found that I could actually clean up the space without feeling completely defeated — and it worked! This method gave me the freedom to take breaks while knowing I could finish by the end of the day. No more procrastination or paralysis.” Let the Games begin! #OlympicDecluttering

Declutter to Create an Olympic Environment

Posted on by Jordank

#Olympic athletes are used to spartan conditions. Housed in temporary dorms during the competition, their #focus is on training, nutrition and performance. No matter what you do on a daily basis, your environment may not lend itself to that kind of #focus if you are surrounded by #clutter, says Medium. “Decluttering isn’t just about #cleaning. It’s not about perfection, or buying matching baskets or becoming a #minimalist monk who owns two forks and one beige shirt. #Decluttering is about #energy. It’s about focus. It’s about emotional relief. There’s something deeply empowering about intentionally shaping your space.” #OlympicDecluttering