by Jackie Jones - Field To Plate

Schwartz says. ªTaking those little
time slots stops you from feeling overwhelmed.º
A self-proclaimed shopaholic in
her mid-30s, Tanya Chesterfield sees
a definite connection between clutter
and disharmony. When she feels frenzied
by the excess clothing she's accumulated,
the web producer donates to
charity and sells on eBay. ªThe more
clutter you have around you, the more
stressful your life is,º says the native of
Long Island, New York. ªClutter
stops me from thinking clearly and
being happy. If you clear the clutter,
you clear your mind.º
Schwartz agrees that clearing clutter
is cathartic and says that Chesterfield
is on the right track. She
recommends getting rid of excess
clothes and kitsch by having a garage
sale or by taking a photo of the item
so you can remember it and then pass
it on. As a general rule, she advises
going through your closets once or
twice a year and clearing out anything
you haven't worn in two years.
ªDe-cluttering is an incredibly liberating
and freeing feeling. Your mental
state can't help but change,º says
Schwartz, who views getting and
staying organized as a spiritual practice.
ªI believe having a de-cluttered,
harmonious space gives us a deeper
sense of ourselves.º
Make Room for Change
But de-cluttering isn't just about
clearing your physical space. It can
also involve leaving a relationship or
Moving the Mess
Judi Culbertson, co-author of
Scaling Down: Living Large in a Smaller
Space(Rodale Press), was a messy kid and young adult. She had a decluttering
epiphany, however, during a trip she took as a young wife and
mother. ªI was determined to have that [relaxed] vacation feeling permanently,º
says Culbertson, a member of the National Association of Professional
Organizers. Here are her tips for getting organized:
1Pre-cycle paper.Don't bring
home playbills, museum guides
or church bulletins. You've al-
cartons take up a lot of room. If you
need to re-pack something, go to
Mail Boxes, Etc. and let them do it for
ready had the experience; you don't
need paper to remind you.
2Make sure everything has
a final resting place.Always
put belongings back in the
you.
4Visualize the outcome.
You need to see how you want
your space to be and work on
that. Then your focus will be your
same spot, especially things that are
life the way you want it. When visu-
a problem to find, like keys, purses,
alizing the outcomeÐwhether it's
eyeglasses and TV remotes. Also,
your living room or your officeÐ
put things that are alike together
you're making decisions based on
(i.e., all ink pens in one container, all
the room and your current feeling.
batteries in another container) so
Taking that approach shifts the fo-
you can put your hands on them
cus from the idea of loss to a feeling
of control and freedom.
more quickly and see how many you5Forget
how much some-
have of a particular item.
3Beware of keeping spares.
thing costs. A lot of times we
hold on to things because we
Don't hold on to your old VCR
paid good money for them. If you
in case the new one breaks
think that way, you can hold on to
down. Don't hang on to shipping cartons;
most of the time items don't
everything. It's better to pass it on to
someone who can use it.
need to go back into them, and those
job that you've outgrown. Relocating
to Los Angeles from New York moti- for new relationships. ªThere are peo- what didn't? What did you like and
vated Yvonne Chase to downsize her ple in our lives who aren't serving usdislike
about the person? How did you
personal belongings and re-evaluate well, but we're stuck,º Chase says. ªTogrow
as a result of the relationship?
her interpersonal relationships. fulfill our life's purpose, we need the ªTaking inventory and examining
ªThere were people in my life thatcourage
to let go.º
relationship patterns,º Chase says,
drained my energy, so they had to go,º To let go of relationships we've ªhelps you become clear about the
the 36-year-old relationship coachoutgrown
or which aren't serving uskind
of person you want to attract.º
says. ªMy life was going in a differentwell,
Chase suggests taking the fol-
direction. And as I elevated my stanlowing
steps: Think of your last two or Tracy E. Hopkins is a freelance writer
dards and set clear boundaries, they more intimate relationships. Write living in New York City. She has writ-
literally vanished from my life with- out, in detail, all of the pros and consten
for Essence, Vibe, Rolling Stone,
out me having to say a word.º of this relationship, she says. Ask The Associated Pressand The New
Breaking those ties created space yourself: What worked for you and York Daily News.
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2006 · HEARTANDSOUL.COM 39