Un-Clutter to De-Stress: Steps to Simplify Your Life · •Review a room-by-room guide to de-cluttering •Learn techniques for disposing of clutter •Explore other methods for holistic

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Un-Clutter to De-Stress:

Steps to Simplify Your Life

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Objectives for Today’s Session

• Define clutter

• Identify basic strategies for de-cluttering

• Review a room-by-room guide to de-cluttering

• Learn techniques for disposing of clutter

• Explore other methods for holistic life management

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What is Clutter?

• Low, stagnant energy that constantly drains you.

• Clutter clearing is a very emotional process—it takes

emotional stamina to go through it.

• Once you clear your clutter and have a system to

avoid its accumulation in the future, you will:

– Enjoy higher energy levels

– Experience greater clarity

– Feel a heightened sense of well-being

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Laying the Groundwork for ‘De-cluttering

Getting rid of clutter means doing one of five things:

1. Throwing it away

2. Recycling it

3. Donating it

4. Selling it

5. Organizing and keeping it

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Core Questions for De-cluttering

• How long has it been since I used this?

• Do I like it?

• Do I feel obligated to keep it because it was a gift or belonged to someone important to me?

• Does it work properly? Is it broken?

• Do I have similar things? How many do I need?

• If I keep this, what will I get rid of to make room?

• Can I locate this information somewhere else (probably on the Internet) if I need it?

*Be realistic about repairing broken items!

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Begin with the Basics

• Begin to tackle a room, basement or closet by arming yourself with four large boxes or garbage bags, as well as a laundry basket.

• Designate one of each bags or boxes to hold items for:

– Garbage

– Recycling

– Giveaways or donations

– Yard sale or resale/consignment shop (if you’re not planning to sell anything, you’ll only need three containers)

What about that laundry basket?

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Basics, continued

• Items that you plan to keep but need to return to correct places in other rooms should go in the laundry basket.

• Give yourself a time limit before you start, and use a timer!

• Don’t leave the room at all during that time.

• When your time is up, toss out the garbage, and make one tour around the house with the laundry basket.

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A Room-by-Room Guide to De-Cluttering

Here are the main areas where we recommend you start to clear your clutter (and always keep fresh and clean!):

Bedroom

Kitchen

Front Entrance

Office

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Your Bedroom

Where to start:

• Take out all the items that create visual clutter and do not really belong in the bedroom.

– i.e. the TV, any exercise equipment, office/work related items, storage items, etc.

• Clear the clutter under the bed

• Thoroughly de-clutter and clean your closets.

• Let go of as many items as possible that you have not used in a long time.

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Your Kitchen

Where to start:

• De-clutter & thoroughly clean the refrigerator

• Clean the stove and all the pots and pans

• Let go of all harsh chemical cleaners from the kitchen and replace them with natural, environmentally-friendly cleaners (look online for tips on safe disposal)

• Clean out all the drawers and cabinets—especially that ‘junk drawer’ we all seem to have in the kitchen!

• Wipe clean surfaces, light fixtures, etc.

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Your Front Entrance

Where to start:

• Let go of any objects that are not really needed such as recycling bins, chipped pots…etc.

• Find a way to deal with mail! A small drawer in the closet may be a solution if the space is limited in the entryway area.

• Keep only the ‘in-season’ items in your entryway.

• Bring a sense of beauty to your main entryway – add a mirror, plant or a spot of bright color!

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Your Office

Where to start:

• Bundle up your electrical cords and wires with a twist tie or tubes made specially to contain them.

• Remove the books from your shelves and dust—put back only the books you use/current manuals.

• Remove dead leaves from your office plants. If you have silk plants, dust or replace them if faded.

• Wash your windows if possible.

• Open your top drawer and toss the following things into the trash: Dried-up pens, bent paper clips, plastic utensils and ketchup packets…etc.

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Your Office, continued

• Clean your computer, including keyboard and monitor.

• Keep a recycling bin and/or a shredder near your desk and treat it like a baby—feed it often and change it frequently.

• When mail or memos come in, immediately toss the junk mail, circulars, and FYI mail into the recycling bin or shred it.

• Organize your email into accessible and logical folders.

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Tackling Specific ‘Clutter’ Items

• Clothes:

– Give them away, or ‘lend’ them to a friend if you’re really struggling to let go.

– Or, select some you’re particularly attached to and store them.

• Memorabilia:

– Differentiate between junk and memorabilia.

– Throw out the junk.

• Photographs:

– Organize them—photos can become physical and emotional clutter when they depict people or events that bring up painful or conflicted feelings.

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Specific “Clutter” continued

• Bills/statements:

– Maintain a separate file for bills.

– Keep credit card bills until monthly statements come.

– Service bills can be discarded after payment.

– File away bank/other transaction statements.

• Receipts: Keep receipts detailing a warranty; throw out the rest.

• Important documents: Make a digital record of documents so that accessing them is easy.

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Recycle It

• If you have curbside recycling, find out exactly which items are accepted and which are not. Check to see if there are drop-off locations for other recyclable items.

• Look for hazardous waste pickup locations or events in your area.

• Search online for special programs to recycle computers or other items that you can’t recycle locally.

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Donate It

• Multiply the benefits of getting organized by donating your unneeded items to help others and possibly getting a tax break at the same time!

– Be sure to drop off your donations where you can get a receipt.

• Identify organizations that accept donations of clothing and household items

– Some organizations may pick up large items, such as furniture.

– Other groups, such as Friends of the Library, deal with only one type of item—in this case, used books.

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Turn Clutter into Cash

• Yard Sale/Stoop Sale:

Have ample garbage bags. Much of what is left will truly be trash—don’t bring it back into the house!

Identify a place to donate items—if you need a receipt for tax purposes, end your yard sale in time to load and deliver your leftovers before they close.

• Resale or consignment shop: If there is a shop in your community, call to find out their rules and determine if it’s worth your time.

• Internet: Investigate auction sites or others where you can register and sell used items.

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Realistic Reminders

• Repairing broken items and selling items still in good condition takes work and time—consider whether that’s a realistic option for you right now.

• Have a buddy

– You may reach a point where you feel you can’t make decisions any more.

– Have a good friend, sibling, or your spouse help you. It will make the tasks easier.

• Shred or tear up documents containing personal information that you intend to toss.

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Good Self Care = Less Clutter

• Eat a balanced diet and try to maintain a healthy weight

• Aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night

• Schedule regular exercise as well as ‘down time’

• See your doctors at regular intervals

• Practice relaxation techniques (i.e. yoga, meditation)

• Work on ‘letting go’ and positive self-talk

• Assert yourself by saying “no” when appropriate

• Develop/maintain a support system

• Become involved in the community; volunteer

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Life Change Strategies

• Nurture yourself and your relationships

• Allow adequate time between new commitments

• Try to anticipate life changes and make adjustments you need to make before you are forced to

• Set personal and professional goals

• Create a personal stress management plan and identify someone who can help you stick to it

• Seek professional help – call Work-Life Assist

©UFS

Work-Life ASSIST

Always available. Always confidential.

1-877-286-0269

www.work-lifeassist.com

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