The Monkey Tree

CLEAR YOUR CLUTTER, MANIFEST YOUR DREAMS! Part Two: Paper Clutter

Here’s a little quiz: what have we all got in common? – Well, all of us have clutter and all of us have dreams. And here’s the good news: you can use the clearing of the one to get closer to the other!  You might have thought of clutter clearing as a chore, but think again: it can be an exciting, life changing tool – it really is modern day alchemy: be aware of what it is that you want to invite into your life (a new friend/ a job opportunity/ more time to read – whatever you wish for) – have a clear out – and then watch the magic happen...! When something old leaves, something new will come in, and that’s why it is so important to not clear ‘mindlessly’: imagine, there you are, clearing out a box of old files – and then something new comes in, and guess what that is? A new box of old files...! To make clutter clearing work for you, just focus on what you want it to do for you. So, you might ask yourself now, if letting go of things features such great benefits, how come I’m still finding myself holding on to various bits and pieces I know (deep down) I have outgrown? Clutter can have a comforting quality; it acts like an additional layer between you and the ‘big questions’. Where am I headed? What are my dreams? What do I want to do with my life? Shifting our lovely clutter from the cellar to the attic to the shed and back, allows us to operate on the more manageable level of: where can I keep those files/magazines/papers - keeping the biggies at bay...! It’s essential not to be overambitious with the size of your clearing projects, just treat yourself to regular little clear outs, one drawer, one folder, one file at a time. This new ‘clear as you go’ habit is very liberating and can slowly teach us to move from the where (to keep) to the why (am I keeping this??) – turning into a fascinating journey of discovery of your personality... Little by little it teaches us the yes/no decision making that life consists of, in manageable little doses. Making decisions is one of the most important life skills. In fact, it has been said: the only really bad decision you could ever make, is not to make decisions at all. -Unfortunately that’s what happens quite often, as we live our lives on autopilot one busy day at a time, and lose sight of the bigger picture. When asked about paper clutter most of us think of bills or clippings. Again, don’t forget about the biggies though J: what about your books?! Let some of your faithful old companions go and create space for new ideas and thinking to come into your life. Newspapers, Magazines, Clippings: Make a list of the things you’d like to do in your life that you don’t allow yourself to do because of unfinished jobs like sorting through your clippings. Then let go. Sentimental paper clutter like cards: keep the best and fling the rest! Open the door to new happy experiences in your life instead of clinging to the past. Photos: enjoy them while they are current and their energy is fresh and vibrant. So, how do we go about it to reap the benefits of clearing, invite in new energy, purpose and enjoyment?  Here are the top tips to conquer the paper mountains: ● Scale down: don’t try to tackle too much at a time and set yourself up for frustration. We have thoughts and emotions invested in everything we own, and that’s why it can be tricky to sort through things – Even when we sort through bits of paper it is about  our memories, fears, hopes.... it’s never ever just about things! Give yourself credit for that, and celebrate the small clearing successes (hurrah I did one big fat folder!) instead of getting bogged down with what is still to do.  ● One explanation why paper clutter can get out of control is fear. ‘I might need this bit of information one day’ - and until this day comes, I put it here, for now. With clearing, we can teach ourselves, one bit of paper at a time, to change from fear mode into a trust mode: when I need this information again, I will be able to find it – in a more updated and therefore more useful version! ● Dare to let go of your need to know everything. Try this out for a day: go on a media fast and cut your information consumption! ● Use one diary for all your appointments, to-do-lists and notes to self! No more notebook collections and loose bits of paper. ● Open your post next to the recycling bin. ● Your energy follows your eyes – treat yourself to a clear desk. Remove all ‘to-do’ documents from your desk space and store them in your top drawer or on a shelf instead. Enjoy! ● Try this funky new desk rule - only one piece of paper on it at a time! Once dealt with, off it goes into the file or bin.  - Worry not, if you never achieve those dizzy heights of structure, just stop pointless desk-multitasking: finish one project before you start another. It makes you feel more in control, less mind-cluttered and gives you more of a sense of achievement. ● Paper inspiration in 4 steps: bin it – do it – delegate it - file it! Clutter is like a cocoon: it gives us an additional layer of protection. A cocoon has a few disadvantages though: you can’t see a lot. And before you pluck up the courage to leave your cocoon behind, you won’t be able to turn into a butterfly – and set off towards your dreams! One of its most beneficial side effects of clutter clearing is that we end up living less on ‘autopilot’. Getting rid of stuff that doesn’t really do anything for us anymore makes us more alive – aware of the beauty and miracles in the everyday.. the smiles, the sunshine, the glitter in a raindrop.... - Happy clearing ! For more inspiration go to www.clearofclutter.com Next issue : Time & Electronic Clutter