More on Clutter, Or The Absence Of It!

Here's another book on de-cluttering your life. I haven't read it but it was reviewed by Nanci Hellmich, a USA Today reporter, in the Arizona Republic, April 19, 2015.

Peter Walsh, professional organizer, wrote Lose the Clutter, Lose the Weight. He claims his clients tend to lose weight once he helps them get their homes in order. The premise is, getting in control of your belongings translates to other areas of your life.

He claims he's done a mini-study on this with his clients. Some of what he says makes sense:

• When the kitchen is organized and healthy foods are readily available at the front of the fridge or pantry, it's easier to eat healthy foods.
• When you're organized, it's more likely you will plan ahead and eat healthy meals at home rather than buy fast food.
• Getting on top of clutter in your home often enables you to get on top of other issues in life, as well. (According to his un-scientific but probably correct study.)

His book capitalizes on that theory by presenting weekly tasks that speak to:

• a de-cluttering plan
• an exercise plan
• a nutritional plan
• a mindfulness program (Whatever is that?)

According to the reporter, Walsh divides clutter into 4 categories:

1. Lazy Clutter - stuff like mail or laundry that piles up because it doesn't seem important enough to deal with at the moment. 
2. Memory Clutter - things we hold onto because they speak to us of a person or event in the past. Some memory items should be saved but not if they overwhelm your life, says Walsh.
3. Malignant Clutter - stuff that reminds you of an unpleasant time in your life. It may be a failed relationship or career, or medical equipment from a past injury of procedure. He believes it has a toxic hold on people.
4. "I Might Need It One Day" Clutter - stuff we hold onto just in case we might need it someday. The author says give it to someone else. You'll feel good about helping another person and you'll enjoy the opened-up space in your home.

Kind of fun, isn't it, to identify what type of clutter we hang onto? I'm guilty of Number 4. Then Number 2 fits, also. Hmm....Number 3. I do have a boot from when I broke my ankle. And then there are two surgical shoes and all those ace bandages from my husband's sports injuries. Guess I have some housecleaning to do.

What about you? Do you fit any of those categories?

Next Blog:  I will tell you a story about a Christian woman who lived an abundant life without the snare of materialism.