January Happiness Project Update: Lessons in Simplifying
Finding time to declutter, purge,
organize, and simplify is the plague of most busy, hard-working women. My January Happiness Project/ Life
Audit surrounded embracing the minimalist life and simplifying my world,
internally and externally. Like
every new project, my efforts started slow. With the aid of smart phone apps,
e-mail subscriptions, and calendar prompts, I was able to have affirmations
delivered to my phone daily, along with prayers and devotionals, and calendar
alerts for destressing and meditation breaks. I decluttered all rooms on the first
floor of my home (the basement is still a holy disaster). Most days, I prepared for the next day
the night before and I utilized my journal pretty religiously. I can’t claim that I faithfully
checked off everything in my bullet journal each day or week, but I can say
that I practiced simplifying more so in January of 2017 than any other month
prior, due to developing this Happiness Project, as well as, PURPOSEFUL INTENT. The lesson in taking on a project such
as this is not perfection or to be masters in excessive productivity. It’s to be more mindful, present,
clear, and intentional when it comes to matters of self-improvement. Small steps are a success.
One night, after I “gutted” my
final closet, I sat back and reflected on why it feels so good to declutter our
physical surroundings. Here’s why you should ditch the odds and ends that
are making your home disorganized for good.
1) It reduces your stress.
There is actually a link between homes with excessive objects and high cortisol
in women. Translation: The more stuff you have the more stress you
will experience. A messy home fosters feelings of unbalance and
failure. (And may I jump in here and remind everyone to stop beating
themselves up over past clutter transgressions? It's never too late to turn
your home into a place you truly love.)
2) It eliminates excessive germs and improves our overall health. Think
about it: If you can't see the surface of your kitchen counter, how can you
wipe it clean? And if your clutter habits include leaving dirty
dishes out overnight, you're basically inviting bacteria and possibly
critters into your home. Nobody’s got time for that.
3) You can find things
more easily. Reducing
your possessions allows you to find items more quickly, saving precious time.
No longer will you have to hunt through a stash of earrings but easily choose
one from the organized collection you have retained. No fishing around among a
mountain of handbags or rooting through hanger after hanger of clothes. The
choice is quicker and easier.
4) A home that is
tidy is quicker and easier to clean. The fewer possessions you have,
the neater your house will be and the easier it will be to keep clean.
Think of it this way: Each possession has a place, or a "home",
making it easier to pick up and keep in order. This is only possible if
you reduce the amount of your material items.
5) It’s freeing and an
uncluttered house usually means a less cluttered mind. As you begin to detach from
material possessions and place more importance on experiences rather than
things, you will sense a feeling of lightness and freedom, which can become
addictive. I love this new sense of freedom I feel from no longer being
surrounded by piles of unnecessary items I never use. This allows me to focus
instead on people and experiences.
6) Finding undiscovered space: Once you toss, donate or trash the things you don't
need, you might find use for a space you didn't realize you had. Although it's
easier to visualize some spaces for artwork and furniture, the actual purpose
for a space might change with a little less in it. An empty corner might be a
library, a hallway might be an area for a desk or a computer.
If you
want to develop your own little Life Audit/Happiness Project, it isn’t too
late! It’s only February for heaven’s sake! Read my last two blog
posts from December 31, 2016—Life Audit/Happiness Project 2017 and Part 2 Life
Audit/Happiness Project to guide you through the process.
February’s
Happiness Project is focusing on strengthening your creative bone. Look for an
update in March.
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