By: Donna Selma Lind
It's that time of the year. The time when I get into my Fall nesting mood. You know the mood, when we swap out the summer clothes for warm knitted sweaters, scarves and boots. And summer beachy home decor for comfy quilts, toasty fires and pumpkin spice coffee, candles and everything else pumpkin!
It is also the time of year when I like to become a "CONQUEROR OF CLUTTER!"
Spring and Fall at my house are the two seasons that I like to do a thorough cleaning of everything in our home. I get what I call "The urge to purge." This involves de-Cluttering every room in our house from top to bottom.
I do an inventory of all my stuff and then I make three piles: KEEP. SELL. GIVE AWAY.
No Rocket Science here, just basic CLUTTER CONQUERING 101.
I have discovered that :THE MORE STUFF WE HAVE, THE MORE THE STUFF HAS US!
Stuff leads to clutter, clutter leads to confusion, confusion leads to stress and anxiety, which leads to unrest and no peace!
When we have too much stuff it not only clutters our home, it also clutters our mind.
It costs us more time because when everything is a confusing mess we can't find anything. When we can't find our stuff it also costs us more money because we go out and buy things that we already have but can't find at home in all our clutter!
Clutter and disorganization steals our time, money, peace and joy!
All that stuff is a heavy weight that keeps us in bondage.
TIME TO CONQUER THE CLUTTER!
"We must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that distracts us."
Hebrews 12:1
A big thing that keeps us chained to the STUFF are all the sentimental memories that are attached to our things. I get it. I can look at a dish or a chair and a flood of memories hit me of a family holiday or a special person who something reminds me of and suddenly I have a tight grip and I am not ready to let go of that object.
But I learned a little trick years ago that helped me to let go of some things. Since just looking at the things transported me back to the memories, I found if I took a photo of the object it had the same effect! I was able to let go of alot of STUFF but keep the memories alive by looking at the photos! The memories are in my heart not in the stuff!
It doesn't mean I have gotten rid of everything but I have been able to get rid of a ton of stuff that was weighing me down.
I know it can be overwhelming for so many of you out there that are living under a mountain of clutter. You know who you are. In fact right now you are looking around your home cringing at the thought of where to even begin to start the process.
Well take a deep breath, understand it is a process and it takes time, but YOU CAN DO IT! Repeat after me: "I CAN DO IT! I AM MORE THAN A CONQUEROR IN CHRIST JESUS."
Do you want to live clutter free?
Here are a few ideas that work for me.
I RESIST BUYING AND BRINGING STUFF HOME! (Window shopping is still free! )
Use it or lose it! Have I worn or used this in the last year?
Do I love this ? Does this give me pleasure?
Am I holding on to this out of guilt or obligation? (This applies to relationships too!)
Whatever is tucked away in a box , closet or in storage and I haven't seen it, used it or worn it in a year, it is time to get rid of it!
Can I Bless someone else with this?
I Organize and Label everything!
I keep things in the same spot so we can easily find them. (Keys, phone, purse, backpacks, etc)
Communication Boards. ( Family Calendar/Schedule. Each family member has a dry eraser board for reminders and chores.
I heart Baskets, Bins and Bags! ( I like a place for everything and everything in it's place! )
If something is keeping me from my time with God then I need to limit it or get rid of it!
If I had to choose and limit the things in my home that bring me joy and I use on a regular basis what would they be?
(My Bible, Husband, Laptop, Label Maker, Fuzzy Socks, Books & Animals.)
There are a ton of organizing ideas on Pinterest that you can get ideas from.
Pick something you can stick to and get started- one file, one pile, one mile at a time!
I hope this inspires you to get going. Just think of the freedom you will have to do things that you love instead of being tied down to taking care of things!
"Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Colossians 3:2
YOU CAN DO IT! YOU ARE MORE THAN A CONQUEROR OF CLUTTER!
Write to me in the COMMENTS box and share your ideas and Victories with me.
I would love to hear from you!
HALLELUJAH!
PRAISE THE LORD AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!
DONNA SELMA LIND
