Existing in an unorganised environment can be linked to how we look and act. Professional organiser (and decluttering extraordinaire), Peter Walsh, backed up this particular theory recently when he said "I do not believe you can separate how you live with the vision of who you are", he went on to went on to explain this school of thought in saying "...how you live is who you are ... in terms of your mental outlook". This theory comes from realising that despite being made up of a number of aspects of self (emotional, physical, lifestyle) you are only a whole person when considering all parts, realising that they are inextricably linked to create who you are and acknowledging that you can not simply compartmentalise your life.

The concept of linking a cluttered physical environment to a less than fabulous existence is not a new one, it could even be considered common sense. The difficulty is in accepting that you are still going to be you with or without your "stuff". In a lot cases, that "stuff" you are hoarding is not exemplifying the best version of you. Depending on the type of stuff you are harbouring, it can be anchoring you to your past and distracting you from making the most of being truly present in everyday.

Recognising The Two Types Of Clutter
Peter says there are two types of clutter: "I might need it one day clutter" and "Memory clutter ... stuff that keeps you in the future or the past ... [meaning] you can't live right now ... [and] you can't imagine what it is like to get back into the present". Most of us will have clutter of both varieties. It is important to recognise why you have the stuff you have as this can help you break the ties with that stuff. Most women have a particularly hard time decluttering & letting go of pieces from their wardrobes, simply letting them expand exponentially until the built in wardrobe has turned into walk in closet encompassing what was once a bedroom (with only one third of what exists within ever actually seeing the light of day). Throwing out old shoes does not mean you will forget the memories of your favourite nights on the town in those heels just as parting with that too small little black dress will not be something to regret if you ever return to that dress size. In the spirit of acceptance and moving forward, recognise that we are blessed in that we have access to whatever we could possibly want or need almost whenever we want or need it (& yes you will find another fabulous LBD that actually fits).

Personal Chaos Threshold & Clutter Mentality
It is also important to recognise that each of us have our own person 'chaos threshold'. The point at which we can allow the mess to get to before we overhaul with a mini spring clean. To use our wardrobes again as a metaphor; for some, the chaos threshold is reached when there are more then 3 pairs of shoes that have been thrown aside rather than placed on the shoe rack, for others it is coming to the realisation that they are down to the last pair of clean knickers and the remainder of their wardrobe is now dirty and making itself at home on the bedroom floor. However, being used to living like this should not be used to excuse an untidy environment. You may feel accustomed to living in a bit of a squalor but that does not mean you need to keep accepting it! You should also be able to recognise that you have the potential to flourish when your surroundings are in line with you personal vision for your most marvellous self. Don't confuse a routine of mess with what is best for you; take a stand and be critical of your environment. Remember that everything you do in the practice of decluttering is not to punish yourself; it is to push you towards a better place, one where your environment can reconcile with your ambition to be the best you can be.

Affirmative Actions To Declutter & Gain Life
Here are a few points to get you started on decluttering your environment:

Start in your wardrobe. Be brutal. Pull everything out onto your floor. You now have 3 minutes to go throw and pull out only the things you are absolutely certain you want to keep, use your first instincts, if you have to weigh up the pros and cons then it stays on the floor. Next go through and make a pile of anything you've not worn in the past 6 months, it's gone (this is a perfect example of "I might need it one day clutter" - you haven't needed it & you won't need it!). Anything that doesn't fit can go in the 'gone' pile too, saving jeans as inspiration to drop a pants size very rarely leaves you feeling positive when you spot them, they might have once been your favourite old faithfuls but times change & so it is time to adios the old and accept that YOU WILL find a new favourite pair, that fit you just as you are. Got the general idea? Remember not to literally throw any of your old clothing out, take it all down to your local charity store and revel in the fact that you have not only helped yourself but you've also done a good deed for charity!

Organise papers & trinkets such as payslips, receipts, journal notes, pens, accessories & costume jewellery and notebooks into old shoe boxes. Decorate the shoe boxes with your favourite photos or cut outs from newspapers and magazines. It's cheap, easy, fun & will make you want to keep your important bits and bobs organised. Use a labeller to help remind yourself which box is which.

Overhaul your work environment. If you work in an office, clean out your in tray (yes, even that pesky invoice that you've been putting off for the last 3 weeks). Resolve to have an empty in tray when you walk out the door at the end of each day. A good way to do this is by adopting a fantastic little tip into your mentality: Touch each piece of paper/email once only. Action everything as soon as it falls into your hands, putting things off is what creates clutter & backlog (& subsequent work related stress)!

Don't try and be perfect: allow yourself a 'junk drawer' to throw bits and pieces into every now & then (you know you have one!). Just don't allow your junk drawer to become a junk bench, or junk room! Also do a regular clean out of the junk drawer, file away the important stuff and chuck, recycle, ebay or thrift the rest.

Take photos pre clean up & another post clean up. Notice the difference and pin up the photos to remind yourself of where you were and how far you've come - it will help you get a realistic sense of your own progress and maintain a clutter free environment.

Use personal affirmations. Scrawl them in your journal, write them on your wall, chant them to yourself, do whatever it is that floats your boat. Make reinvention an affirmation. Another great affirmation to create is about the real importance of the things you own. Don't mourn the loss of your stuff when you declutter. Be present in your life: enjoy your relationships & events. Accept that the physical stuff in your home, office, wardrobe will all come and go and that is okay. You are still you with or without red heels, 5 year old size 8 jeans, emails & txts that have made themselves home in your inbox for the last year and those once quirky, now kitsch, deck chairs you once found for cheap in a yard sale but have never come to use.

Bookmark Peter Walsh's website and take note of his Tip of the Day section, you'll thank yourself for it!

Also see this great poster over on Zen Habits: Life Laundry Day.


What is cluttering your environment? How do you declutter? What benefits do you achieve as a result?