Eliminating Clutter to Free Up Space and Time for Writing
So far, 2012 has been about getting rid of clutter and getting more organized. I have to give some of the credit to Leo Babauta of Zen Habits and his current series on clutter. It’s a battle I’ve had to fight more in recent years and his posts have helped motivate me even more.
I have a cluttered brain. And, therefore I have a cluttered desk and a less than efficient schedule. The ramifications of this chaos have the potential to derail all my best efforts. I am exaggerating a bit but I find that the hours spent in front of a computer, surfing the net, reading quick articles, following links and checking my social media sites are not helping me enhance my ability to focus.
My brain has begun (well, let’s be honest. I’ve always been this way I suspect) to drive my work patterns and conversational threads like a series of linked posts. One thought takes me three steps away in a totally new direction. Granted, I am able to tie things together and return to the original point. But, following along with me can be amusing, fascinating or frustrating depending on your style.
I’m developing new patterns. I make lists with regularity now–with a column for calls, email and to-do’s, prioritized if necessary. Each accomplished item gets a hot pink check mark. I’ve already begun a list for tomorrow with the things that I didn’t finish this weekend. As I want Monday to be uber-productive I’ve added times to the morning portion of the list.
The stack of New Yorkers marked for a must read article? Gone. In the recycling. Realistically, I won’t find time to go back and read them. Now I’ve got a corner of the kitchen counter free. And less guilt about not reading enough.
The piles of books in every room in the house? Sorted. Books to donate or trade-in are in one pile, while other books have gone downstairs to the library. There is a smaller, relevant stack next to my desk and a few, select books by the bedroom chair.
The pantry and kitchen drawer are next on the list but not as important. They’ll keep for another week or more. This weekend’s tasks have centered around the computer–deleting old mail and organizing documents.
I’m trying to get back to my personal writing. I blame some of my procrastination on the clutter. I see papers, folders and other things out of place and somehow it has a larger impact. A neat clean space without distractions gives me the physical and mental space to be creative. When I take care of the to-do lists and deal with things I’ve been ignoring it’s a very freeing experience. In procrastination mode I have constructed this notion that the tasks are tedious or time-consuming. Once I actually tackle an item I find it was simple and the feeling of accomplishment is just short of euphoric!
We’ll pretend, for the moment, that the garage is invisible because the house clutter is neatly residing in recycling stacks in the garage. But, hey! Ya gotta start somewhere!
I love the image of your brain patterns as a series of linked posts. That idea has given me 2 blog posts lately, so obviously I’m one who likes that kind of thing.
The clutter conversation I hear loud and clear. There is something about a clutter-free house, workspace, that is calming to my mind. Not that I get clutter-free that often, mind you. But it is a goal I’m reaching for.
I do believe I will steal your idea of a hot pink (or other bright, happy color) check mark next to “done” items. Thanks!
Hi Nica, I’m so glad you stopped in. I’m sure that anyone who has ever conversed with me will recognize that pattern immediately. And, I think your post about synchronicity (my words) in some fashion helped me as well. I’m making progress on the clutter front…now I need to borrow a truck or SUV to do my recycling run!
Great to hear I am not the only person benefiting from Walker
De-cluttering is a challenge to me personally. Shamefully, I still have not done so to get 2012 started in the best way. Any way, I am glad you have done it Walker. To say I’m jealous is understatement but I will definitely do mine and give you a nice shot from my office.
Good luck to you this year, Walker
Martin,
Every day is a chance to start anew….at least as I see it. I have found that starting with 15 minutes bits of time is helpful. I get a little bit done and it energizes me to keep going.
Best wishes to you as well.
I’ve been trying to do the same thing. I’ve had a little success but I’m having to take baby steps in that direction. Still, progress is progress! Congratulations on yours!!
Barbara, any step in the right direction is progress! We can keep each other accountable.
Hi Walker,
I can’t do any real serious work when there’s clutter about. It ends up being a major distraction for me so I tend to have a clean work area with nary a sticky-note.
A while back, I had a staff member whose office looked like a bomb went off. Stacks (some 3 feet tall) of papers were everywhere. The most annoying thing was when I’d ask her for something she knew exactly where amongst the stacks to find it! She really was a treasure in every way. Everyone’s mind works a bit differently I guess!
Cheers
George
I spent the entire 2011 de-cluttering and getting rid of stuff in preparation for a move from a 3 bedroom home to a one-room cottage. There’s absolutely nothing that I miss and I now have such a feeling of freedom that I never had before. My place is so small that there is no room for the piles of stuff that used be everywhere. Keep at it, Walker. Even a little at a time will dig you out. I don’t miss a single thing that I got rid of.
I’m in awe of what you’ve done. We hold on to so much unnecessary stuff… I need to renew my efforts.