I think everyone gets to that point when the physical and mental clutter in their life becomes too much to handle. For me personally, I've been told I come off as a very organized and put together person, but spoiler alert, that is SO far from the truth! Those of you who have seen my room can attest to the fact that it is very messy, or to use a less negative term "cluttered." In my life I often am so busy and I let so much stuff pile up that it begins to spiral out of control, and it becomes more difficult to clean up. So my goal was to start slowly but surely cleaning my room, but then I realized other areas of my life need de-cluttering as well.
As far as the room/bathroom/house goes, I was recently told if you are going through things and you don't love it, get rid of it. I would have to admit I may have a minor case of hoarding, not because I enjoy keeping a bunch of crap, but because that so called "crap" has sentimental value to me. For example, the sweet cards and letters people have written me over the years, that t-shirt from my first Hilary Duff concert that hasn't fit in 12 years, the years of schoolwork that are piled in a corner, these things I cannot part with. To some people it may seem like trash, but to me they are memories that I like having around. However, in order to de-clutter I have to do some soul searching and think "do I REALLY need this?!" Things such as those flare jeans from 6th grade, my old crocs (ew), and just plain items of trash have got to go. There are so many outfits I never wear, and things I never use, but I am just too lazy to ever go through them all, or think that someday, in some random scenario, that I will need it. But in order to feel better, and actually be able to walk around my room, de-cluttering is necessary. I'm going to be leaving for school soon, and if I don't want to take something with me, chances are it isn't that important and can be given away. The key to getting rid of clutter in your life is deciding whether or not it brings you joy, and if it doesn't, then it's gone. While I dread cleaning, I'm hoping that by purging through the last 18 years in my room it will make a huge difference.
Another way in which our lives can be de-cluttered is mentally. By getting rid of thoughts, activities, and people that no longer bring anything positive into your life. Stop letting the negative thoughts clutter your brain, the more space they take up, the less space there is for positive ones. A simple change in mindset can leave you feeling so refreshed. We often invest so much energy into various activities that don't even benefit us. A while ago I looked at my cluttered schedule and thought, "why the hell am I doing all of this?" I was draining myself with all of these things that didn't even enhance my life, so I decided to stop doing them. Tidy up your social life and spend more time doing things you look forward to, and eliminate the clutter. The last one is the most difficult, people can be a major source of clutter in your life. Those people that make no effort to call or text you, or those people who feel like a black cloud looming over you, cut them out of your life. It may sound cruel, but it is only for your best interests. Eliminate crappy people from your lives, because they are just taking your time away from the good people. Recently I've been slowly going through my Facebook friends list and "unfriending" people who I don't actually know, or who I probably will never talk to again. I'm not doing this to be a bitch, but because I want to de-clutter my social media and there's no sense in connecting with people who aren't in your life. Reevaluate the people in your life and see if there are some that really only hinder your happiness, those are the ones building up the clutter you need to get rid of. By doing these things, we are freeing up our heads and making room for more peace and happiness. De-cluttering is a huge weight lifted off your shoulders, and you will wonder why you didn't take these steps a while ago.
So whether it is cleaning your room, or cutting negative people out of your life, we all have to make more of an effort to de-clutter. It will truly feel like a breath of fresh air. I've begun my process and I am already starting to feel more at ease. Do you feel like you have too much clutter in your life? Take a step back and pinpoint the source of clutter, then attack it head on and you will feel so much better.
Happy de-cluttering everyone!
Love Always,
Olivia Jane
As far as the room/bathroom/house goes, I was recently told if you are going through things and you don't love it, get rid of it. I would have to admit I may have a minor case of hoarding, not because I enjoy keeping a bunch of crap, but because that so called "crap" has sentimental value to me. For example, the sweet cards and letters people have written me over the years, that t-shirt from my first Hilary Duff concert that hasn't fit in 12 years, the years of schoolwork that are piled in a corner, these things I cannot part with. To some people it may seem like trash, but to me they are memories that I like having around. However, in order to de-clutter I have to do some soul searching and think "do I REALLY need this?!" Things such as those flare jeans from 6th grade, my old crocs (ew), and just plain items of trash have got to go. There are so many outfits I never wear, and things I never use, but I am just too lazy to ever go through them all, or think that someday, in some random scenario, that I will need it. But in order to feel better, and actually be able to walk around my room, de-cluttering is necessary. I'm going to be leaving for school soon, and if I don't want to take something with me, chances are it isn't that important and can be given away. The key to getting rid of clutter in your life is deciding whether or not it brings you joy, and if it doesn't, then it's gone. While I dread cleaning, I'm hoping that by purging through the last 18 years in my room it will make a huge difference.
Another way in which our lives can be de-cluttered is mentally. By getting rid of thoughts, activities, and people that no longer bring anything positive into your life. Stop letting the negative thoughts clutter your brain, the more space they take up, the less space there is for positive ones. A simple change in mindset can leave you feeling so refreshed. We often invest so much energy into various activities that don't even benefit us. A while ago I looked at my cluttered schedule and thought, "why the hell am I doing all of this?" I was draining myself with all of these things that didn't even enhance my life, so I decided to stop doing them. Tidy up your social life and spend more time doing things you look forward to, and eliminate the clutter. The last one is the most difficult, people can be a major source of clutter in your life. Those people that make no effort to call or text you, or those people who feel like a black cloud looming over you, cut them out of your life. It may sound cruel, but it is only for your best interests. Eliminate crappy people from your lives, because they are just taking your time away from the good people. Recently I've been slowly going through my Facebook friends list and "unfriending" people who I don't actually know, or who I probably will never talk to again. I'm not doing this to be a bitch, but because I want to de-clutter my social media and there's no sense in connecting with people who aren't in your life. Reevaluate the people in your life and see if there are some that really only hinder your happiness, those are the ones building up the clutter you need to get rid of. By doing these things, we are freeing up our heads and making room for more peace and happiness. De-cluttering is a huge weight lifted off your shoulders, and you will wonder why you didn't take these steps a while ago.
So whether it is cleaning your room, or cutting negative people out of your life, we all have to make more of an effort to de-clutter. It will truly feel like a breath of fresh air. I've begun my process and I am already starting to feel more at ease. Do you feel like you have too much clutter in your life? Take a step back and pinpoint the source of clutter, then attack it head on and you will feel so much better.
Happy de-cluttering everyone!
Love Always,
Olivia Jane
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