Would you keep dead bugs in your home or office? Certainly not! But, I’ll bet at one time or another you’ve held onto a dead computer. When a computer isn’t being used, its energy goes dead and becomes negative, just like the negative energy of dead bugs. Negative energy affects your energy and can block your access to positive energy, opportunities and prosperity. Can you afford not to move those dead bodies?

Why do computers hang out once they’ve been replaced by a newer model? A common reason is that they still hold information. Not knowing how to clear that information is a barrier to getting rid of those beasts. Another reason is that people don’t know how to get rid of them. Who wants an outdated computer?

If you live in central Virginia, I have some exciting news for you! Computer Recycling of Virginia is looking for dead computers. I’ll bet they’d help make sure that all your information is off of them too! Then they’ll take those dead bodies and resuscitate them.

The drop off spot for computers in the Richmond area is Computer World at 4619 West Broad Street across from Richmond Ford. My contact for the company is David Marks. You can reach him at 804-640-8268 or at david@recycle4va.com. He’ll be able to answer any questions you have about how to clear your computer clutter. Give him a call!

Have you ever noticed how much more work gets done when two people committed to the process join forces? It’s often astounding! Easily three to four times as much work gets accomplished when two people work together clearing clutter. The energy of the interaction between the two people can create a momentum that is just not possible when you work solo.

If it’s possible to make great strides when two or more are gathered together to clear clutter, why do so many people resist asking for help with that on-going challenge?
Following are some common reasons and my thoughts about each of them.

Fear of judgment–New clients often tell me that they are embarrassed for me to see their space. They are afraid I will judge them harshly. Why? Because they already judge themselves harshly. They may have already experienced judgement from well-meaning family and friends. Judgment hurts. My question to them is, “Will you get what you really want if you keep avoiding judgment?” Avoidance keeps people stuck.

If you make a good choice about the person you ask for help, preferably NOT close family members and judgmental friends, you could experience something other than judgment–the opportunity receive help that could change your life for the better.

Fear of being beholden to anyone–Some people have such a hard time managing their own life that they can’t imagine having any time or energy to help anyone else. If they accept help from someone, they may feel they should return the favor if asked to do so. Perhaps they hate clutter clearing. Perhaps they feel unqualified to be much help. Perhaps they are afraid they won’t be able to make the time or find the energy to help.

Believe it or not, some people feel it’s an honor to be asked for help. And, some people actually give of their time and energy because it brings them pleasure. When you ask for help it really is a compliment to the person you’re asking because it’s an indication that you think they can help you. If the person cares about you they also get the chance to spend time with you. That may be all they ever want from you.

Belief that “I should be able to do this by myself”–In the United States the American Way is to need no one but yourself. What a bunch of junk! How lonely and how inefficient! There are so many things that are much more easily done with help from another. And, for some people, clutter clearing is one of those things! Some people are just not wired to attack a project that requires expert decision-making and organizing skills. Give them a helper and their level of performance increases exponentially!

If you’ve committed to regaining control of your home or office by clearing clutter and it’s just not getting done, asking for help is the only step that makes sense. Asking for help and interdependence should be the American way!

Fear of loss of control–”I’m such a wimp, I’m afraid I’ll just go along and then regret all that we do later after all my important stuff is gone.” Some people worry that they won’t be able to assert themselves adequately if they are getting help from someone else.

Getting help could be an excellent opportunity to not only clear clutter and get more clarity about what really matters to you, it could be a chance to practice asserting yourself with someone safe, someone who is willing to honor your wishes.

Fear of being controlled–”If I let her in to help me, she might make me get rid of my stuff!” For some people, asking for help is synonymous with being controlled. And, you don’t want anyone else to tell you what to do with your belongings.You have the illusion of being in control when you and only you are responsible for the clutter in your home or office. Of course, you can’t find what you need when you need it or accomplish your goals in a timely manner, but it’s your responsibility, so you are in control! Nonsense!

There are people who will try to control you and what you do with your stuff. Those are the people you don’t want to ask for help! You get to choose! Choose either a professional organizer trained to guide clients to an improved living situation without coercion or a special friend who is helpful, willing to honor your wishes and not judgmental and controlling.

Fear of loss of relationship–Have you ever wondered why you haven’t been invited into the home of a relative or friend? Many fear that if others see the truth about how they live, they’ll be judged harshly and written off. Hiding the truth of their struggle is a better option than rejection.

Being seen is risky. It could lead to rejection by people who don’t understand your reality. But, living a lie costs you as well. It keeps you isolated and alone with your struggle. Getting help from someone safe, someone capable of treating you with respect no matter how awful the mess, could release you from your self-imposed prison. Imagine life free of the shame and embarrassment you currently feel. Isn’t it worth the risk?

If you identify with any of the reasons listed above, and you are sick of being stuck in your own mess, reach out and get some good help. If finding good help is a challenge, go to www.NAPO.net and search for a professional organizer in your area. Interview several people until you find a person whose knowledge and personality are a good match for your needs. Get help and get on with your life! You’ll be amazed at how fast you progress when you get the right kind of help.

Today I was working with a woman who works full time as a physician and is a single mom to four children. Once again I was struck by how much mothers have to do to keep their lives and the lives of their children sane!

We spent an hour sorting through clothes of her older son, identifying those clothes that the younger son might wear and those that could be given away. Kids grow! That means they grow out of clothes and those clothes need to be removed from their closets and dresser drawers. If they can be handed down to another sibling, they have to be labeled and stored somehow. Then you have to remember to get them out for the other child.

If you have four children, multiply this process by four. And, moms probably need to do this process at least once a year, maybe twice if children have growth spurts. Whew! No wonder my client has difficulty finding time to spend with friends or to keep her own room neat and organized.

I found myself wondering if fathers and children are even conscious about this one area of home maintenance that goes on year after year until children leave home. I certainly don’t remember my mother doing that kind of annual review and purge. She probably did it, but I didn’t notice or even care that she did it. It’s one of those tasks that gets done, but goes unnoticed. And, there are many maintenance tasks like that.

Moms are wonderful! They do those annoying and boring tasks because they need to be done. They do them as a matter of course, not expecting accolades from others. If your mother is still living, call or visit her and thank her for all she did for you as a child. It was a pretty thankless job. And, you benefitted from it even if you weren’t aware of all she did. Don’t wait until Mother’s Day. Thank her today!

© 2012 Clutter Clearing Community | Debbie Bowie

“Author, Organizing Expert and Feng Shui Practitioner, Debbie Bowie, is a leading authority on clutter clearing to attract more of what you want in life. If you’re ready to clear clutter and move your life forward, get your FREE TIP SHEET, “Feng Shui Tips for Instant Success” at http://www.clutterclearingcommunity.com.

When I walk into a chaotic environment I listen for clues from my client about what may have caused the chaos. Some people have always struggled to get and stay organized. They are affectionately referred to as “chronically disorganized” by professional organizers nationwide. Despite all their efforts they cannot stay organized. Those clients usually tell me that they have struggled with disorganization for as long as they can remember.

There are some people, however, who at one time in their lives were organized and able to maintain organized spaces at home and at work. When I learn that a client was once organized and has since gone down hill, I seek to identify what threw him or her off course. Following is a list of the disrupting events that can turn a person’s life upside down, making it very hard to maintain order in their lives:

physical illness
mental illness–particularly depression
illness in a family member
surgery
death of a loved one
caregiving for an ailing parent
divorce
home renovation
frequent travel
Christmas
getting married
birth of a child

Any of the above events or issues takes either an emotional or physical toll above and beyond what is experienced in normal every day life. Since you have energy limits, any one of those disrupting events can eat energy that would ordinarily have been allocated to tending to your home, your papers, your things, and the variety of chores that you do to stay organized.

It’s normal for people to do what is easiest in times of high stress just to survive. And, paper and disorder can back up at those times because tending to them isn’t as important as getting through the difficult time. But, you may want to remember that your space also affects your energy. Disorganized, chaotic spaces are loaded with negative energy. Exposing yourself to that energy will only deplete your energy all the more.

Unfortunately, once the difficult time has passed, you may have a nightmare on your hands, clutter and chaos that are overwhelming and not easily addressed. And, you’ll be depleted from your ordeal and further depleted by the negative energy in your space.

If you find yourself experiencing any of the disruption I’ve described above, it is helpful to remain conscious of your space even if you don’t have time to keep up as you normally would. Avoid the inclination to just let go and let chaos reign. Make yourself take as little as 5 minutes a day to clear clutter and maintain order. Doing a little clearing and organizing on a regular basis could save you from a nightmare of your own creation. If you cannot maintain a basic order, ask for help from family and friends, people who likely want to help you through a difficult time.

Spring is associated with spring fever, spring cleaning, rebirth, new life. We suddenly find ourselves emerging from the funks of winter with new energy, new ideas, new commitments to change and growth. Why this resurgence of good feelings and energy?

Most of us know that there is more light. Thank goodness for lengthening hours of sunlight! But, as I walk my dogs each day, I’ve been noticing changes in the landscape as trees, shrubs and plants flower and as green leaves emerge. I can feel my spirits lift and soar in response not only to the new life returning to the landscape, but to the COLOR! The yellows, the many shades of purples and pinks and the emerging greens sing in a background of dull browns, grays and tans. That color feeds me with optimism, hope and energy. We’ve been starved for color, especially since the bright reds and greens of Christmas decorations were stored away in early January. Color’s return is a cause for celebration! We all benefit from it whether conscious of its significance or not!

The color of spring is a gift of nature! Shake off the dust and doldrums of winter and allow the color of the landscape to feed you with its energy. Take time each day to drink in its vibrance, its beauty and its wonder.

If you work in an office, how did you leave your desk as you left for the weekend? Did you take 5-15 minutes to straighten it up, refiling papers, projects and files, creating an order that will be a nice greeting when you return to work on Monday? If not, why not?

Did you know that how your desk looks sets the stage for how your day will go the next time you approach it. If it’s relatively clear and organized it sends the message that all is well, you are in control and can handle whatever comes your way. If it’s piled high with papers, folders and office supplies, the message you get could be, “Oh, you’ve got so much to do! There’s no way you can do it all. . .” or “You’re so hopeless with paper! Do you even know where the papers for the (Smith) project are!” And, if you’re not already feeling overwhelmed, anxious or hopeless when you return on Monday, it is guaranteed that your spirits will drop when you look at that desk! Besides, you’ll waste the first 30-60 minutes of the day just figuring out what you need to do and where to begin!

If you have one of those out of control desks, make a deal with yourself to leave your desk in order at the end of EVERY day for at least a month. That may require an initial cleanup, but it’s worth the effort! During that month pay attention to your mood and your productivity. I predict you’ll see improvement in both areas. Go for it! Take 5-15 minutes every day! Consider them an investment in creating a new habit that could launch you to new heights of productivity and peace of mind!