“You can’t start the new chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one.”
The fall season is the perfect time to turn a new leaf on life. Just like fallen leaves, we need to let go of old stuff and beliefs to create a space for the new life we desire.
When things don’t turn out as well as we wanted, we tend to make all kinds of excuses, or we look for somebody to blame. It becomes a vicious cycle that can harm every aspect of your life. Your life is full of choices you made that contribute to the life you have today.
Step one
Focus on the solution, instead of a problem. Get angry if you have to; this can clear the path in your mind of distorted beliefs that are holding you back.
Step two
Examine your situation today and take full responsibility for your life. Maybe you didn’t have the support or resources to make better decisions. The good news is, you are not the same person today as in the past. You are capable and informed to have a life you desire. This is a perfect time to change and embrace your life today.
Step three
Decide today how you want to live your life. If you want peace and productivity, then you need to commit to it. All life changes start with a decision that requires commitment, time and energy. Pick one space and imagine what that room can look like without clutter.
Step four
Start with your home. Avoid focusing on the whole house, start with one room or the corner of that room. Make sure you have plenty of garbage and recycle bags, a few boxes, permanent markers and tape. These are the only tools you will need for your organizing project. Don’t forget to schedule your organizing sessions, preferably every day at the same time.
Step five
If you already decided on the life you want to live, now is the time to make one more decision: just how much stuff do you need to be functional and productive? Think about your friends and community in these unpredictable times. Is there something you can share and feel good about it? Maybe you can sell and recoup the money you lost in the clutter.
Step six
Now that you managed to let go of your unwanted stuff, start focusing on your family, health and fun. Start a new hobby, read a book or spend more time with your children and grandchildren. Start baking delicious cookies or learn to cook healthy food. Explore beautiful Powell River farms and learn from amazing farmers how to plant vegetables or how to preserve them.
I hope you learned some ideas on how to create a healthy and purposeful life. Although we are living a life of isolation, there are many ways to reach for help or help somebody else. Please remember this quote: “The life you crave, you can create.”
Ranka Burzan owns a professional organizing company based in Powell River and has written several books on reducing clutter and becoming more organized. For information, go to solutionsorganizing.com.
