May
06
How To De-Clutter Your IttyBiz
You’re hanging out here on the IttyBiz blog because there’s something you want to do, something different than what you’re doing. Maybe you just want to get the hell out of your day job, maybe you have a tiny spark of a dream of doing something you actually love, maybe you saw a need that you could fill better than anybody. Doesn’t matter why you care about having an ittybiz, but I bet you might also be here because something stops you.
When you want to do your thing, or even just spend some time figuring it out, does other stuff get in the way? Sometimes it’s “stuff” (picture big finger quotes) like a crammed schedule, tight finances or family responsibilities. Other times, it’s actual stuff, as in physical clutter.
Clutter Sucks
The clutter can show up in different ways. Maybe you’d love to get started on an artsy-craftsy thing, but the spare bedroom, which would make a perfect studio, is full. Or you’d like to sit at your desk and write, but the stacks of papers threaten to fall in on you. Maybe you really want to experiment in the kitchen more, but finding the utensils you need is a nightmare.
Maybe money feels tight because of all the stuff you buy that ends up as clutter (even the organizing stuff that you think will help you), or you have to buy things over and over, because they get lost in the clutter.
Not only does clutter create these physical barriers, it can be draining. If clutter is a problem for you, how much brain power do you use up looking for things, feeling frustrated about the mess, or just beating yourself up about how you should be? It can suck your energy until you don’t have any extra left to fan that spark of creativity you’re protecting and nurturing inside you.
Clutter is surprisingly complex
There’s usually a fair amount of brain clutter going on with the physical clutter. You should be able to just put things away, keep your desk organized, empty your email inbox every day. At least that’s what you tell yourself over and over. But it doesn’t always happen.
But why does it matter for you? Stop for a second and think about what you think about, when you think about your ittybiz. What do you picture? What do you focus on? What do you hear? Smell, taste, feel? Just observe, no need to draw conclusions or make judgments.
Do you have a clear picture, is it bright and inspiring? Or is it more jumbled and unclear? What are you paying attention to, what’s keeping you stuck, holding you back? What’s overwhelming you?
Now imagine what it would be like if the physical clutter were gone. If the crazy mind chatter were muted. If you could create a really clear, bright, engaging picture. This is your imagination, go crazy with it!
When you’re feeling really great about it, think about one small thing, something that feels pretty easy to do, that will help you move forward with your ittybiz. Maybe it’s file a few papers, put away some books, spend some quality time with your email box. Maybe it’s one of Naomi’s Get Off Your Ass suggestions. Doesn’t matter, just do one little thing. Then, rinse and repeat.
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Shannon Wilkinson specializes in de-cluttering mind, spirit, home, and office. Her next course Declutter Happy Hour starts tomorrow. If you’ve ever thought you might need some help clearing out the unnecessary junk that accumulates in your life, you should seriously check it out.
I can’t stand clutter. I was raised amidst its evil and declare “No more!” Unfortunately, with two children and a recently closed pre-school, my crusade is slow going. My office area however, is squeaky clean. If it wasn’t I’d ruminate rather than write.
Do you have a Declutter Happy Year? I’d love to send my mom your way, but an hour’s only a nutshell. : > )
Thanks Shannon! My one thing is taking the damn stuff to the thrift store. We cleaned it out, organized it and then….it’s just waiting to be taken away!
“…one small thing, something that feels pretty easy to do…”
Yes! Yay!
The idea that it all has to be done in one huge push is seductive, but a little at a time really is the sanest, most humane way to clear your stuff.
Go Shannon!
My clutter actually has its own studio apartment right now. I’m absolutely dreading coming face to face against it when I finish moving at the end of this month. There will be no little, tiny step. Massive trash cans will be needed. There are files I haven’t looked at since high school. There are old stories written on scraps of paper. This is more than clutter. It is my whole life in paper format. It seems wrong to throw away all those old notebooks. Magical Clutter Fairy, halp?
“…all the stuff you buy that ends up as clutter (even the organizing stuff that you think will help you)…”
Oh, the irony! And the TRUTH! If someone forced me to total up all the time and money I’ve spent on organizing products over the years, I’d be blushing as red as the IttyBiz header!
The getting organized I can do. It’s almost (shhh, don’t tell anyone) FUN for me. The sticking with a system to *maintain* the organization is the tough part!
You are all kinds of wonderful Shannon :)
Thank you for this uber helpful information… decluttering completely shifts so many things for me… and I love this reminder :)
Dear Shannon,
I just LOVE the visual picture you painted of a gorgeous, clutter free space. It just felt so CLEAN and good and EXPANSIVE!!! No guilt. Just pleasure. Thank you for that bit of clutter clearing kung fu!
Big hugs and gratitude,
Chris
@Chris Clutter clearing kung fu! I love that visual! And saying it. Very fun.
@Leonie Isn’t it wonderful what a little mindfulness around your space can create?
@Michelle The keeping it that way is the tricky part. Often there’s a little back-sliding, but once you have some good systems in place, and speaking of places, places for the stuff you love and need and want to keep, it gets so much easier. That, and the not beating yourself up about it part. : )
@Kelly You have my empathy! I made a big move a couple of years ago that was quite similar, but instead of my stuff having it’s own apartment, it had its own 3 bd 2 ba house with basement! Downsize that into a shared space half the size. Oy. So yes, it’s hard, and the magic fairy dust is what I add to the Declutter Happy Hour, my partner Janine is the magic of tips and strategies. Anyway, be kind to yourself as you do it. And get whatever kind of support you need. Even if it’s just a friend to be on the phone with you as you toss stuff into the trash.
@Lisa Isn’t that doing one small thing just the magic in and of itself? I know you know all about that. The big stuff just looks so well, big.
@Tara Good for you for cleaning stuff out. Now here’s a little mojo to finish the job and get it gone, and into someone’s life who can enjoy it!
@Writer Dad It’s hard when the stuff isn’t yours, and your partner/spouse/family may or may not have the same opinions about stuff. It’s gotta be nice for you to have your office oasis! And, Declutter Happy Year. Love it. Well, with 6-ish hours of classes, all recorded, it could last for quite some time!
Wonderful post Shannon – the more I learn about life and business, the more I see that the biggest obstacles to our success and happiness are the obstacles we create.
Finding out why we are doing that – as you recommend – is the key.
And the comments are filled with gems too – Tara I share your pain! Actually taking stuff down to the Salvation Army bins seems nigh impossible – as a result my car boot was completely full for about a month and every time I went to use it I thought, ‘oh no there’s that stuff in there!’ Haha but it’s gone now :)
Hey, Shannon! I do the same sort of thing you do, and I LOVE the idea of Declutter Happy Hour!
Great post, Shannon! I know when I can get myself to start small, it makes a world of difference. And I do believe that clearing clutter helps make room for great stuff for your business too. Crazy how that works, isn’t it?
Amen to starting small! As with any big change, really.
I love the visualization. Right now when I picture my work and my business I see a vibrant green, which just happens to be the color I just painted my walls. We are so tied to our physical surroundings. Great read, thank you!!
I’m winding up a semester studying abroad. I carried everything with me in a suitcase and a carry-on bag. With that little stuff, there was no room for clutter! It’s been amazing how much more relaxed I feel with less “stuff”!
As I move back home and find a place to live, I will consciously be striving for this same feeling there. I will plan out my work and living quarters for maximum efficiency.
As for the mental clutter, I have gotten into the GTD habit of writing down everything as I think of it. This frees up my mind to work on the important tasks.
Shannon…
I’ve been cluttered and I’ve been clear, bright and engaged…I know which one is better…thanks for the reminder…
Lovely exercise, to imagine a bright, clear, chatter-free picture of the clutter being gone… And then do *one* thing. Right, what stops me is how much needs to be done. So, one thing. Off to imagine my clutter-free space–thanks Shannon–
“Doesn’t matter, just do one little thing. Then, rinse and repeat.”
This is going to be my new mantra. It feels like one of those doable things, which means a) I’ll do it and b) you rock!
Thank you for this great big waterfall of wisdom on clutter. Sometimes this subject feels too big to touch. You managed to make it accessible, and not scary, and that’s awesome.