Lorie Marrero, Clutter Diet

Lorie is wonderful colleague and industry dynamo. I remember a conversation we had together many years ago at a NAPO conference when she was about to launch her unique Clutter Diet concept. It’s incredible to see how much she’s accomplished and given to the professional organizing industry in such a short time. My appreciation and thanks goes to her for taking the time to join us. Before we begin, here’s some background about Lorie.

Lorie Marrero is the author of The Clutter Diet book and the creator of ClutterDiet.com, an innovative program allowing anyone to get expert help at an affordable price. Lorie serves as the spokesperson for Goodwill Industries International, and she is a sought-after expert for national media. She writes regularly as an organizing expert for GoodHousekeeping.com and lives in Austin, TX with her dog, two sons, and spouse and her 30,000 bee daughters. You can connect with Lorie on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, blog or website.

Linda:  You’re an expert on helping others manage their clutter. What are your favorite clutter management tips?

Lorie:  When you’re creating an organizing system, whether a closet or pantry or garage, assume that laziness is the norm. Nobody wants to take extra steps, use more than one hand, or take a long time to put something away. Make things as visible, easy, and obvious as possible so that other people can help maintain the space. Labeling and grouping really help, and products like hooks and open baskets are easier and work with our “lazy” tendencies.

Just like weight loss, getting organized is really about Prevention (cutting the clutter calories coming into the house), Reduction (working off the accumulation you already have), and Maintenance (creating a pattern of habits to maintain your good work). Most people focus on the Reduction part, meaning doing projects like organizing their closets or garages, but they forget to think about Prevention and Maintenance, so their spaces soon revert back to being cluttered.

We have lots of resources at www.clutterdiet.com/freetips, including our popular Clutter Prevention Wallet Reminder Sleeves, which you can print out and use to store your favorite credit or debit card. On them are the five questions you should ask before buying anything!

Linda:  Why are we so clutter obsessed?

Lorie:  In North America we have innovated and worked hard as a culture to raise our standards of living, and we’ve reached an unprecedented level of abundance. We are faced daily with hundreds of advertising messages that insist we still don’t have enough, or that what we have is no longer in fashion, so we keep acquiring.

Linda:  Is there such a thing as “good clutter?”

Lorie:  If you realize your clutter is a result of your fortunate abundance, you can look at it as a great problem to have. I would rather have this problem than having no clean water or war in the streets, which is what many in the world live with each day. Also, one person’s clutter is another person’s treasure, so perspective is everything!

Linda:  Do you have a philosophy about clutter?

Lorie:  One of my personal missions is to remind people that this “problem” of clutter is a result of our abundant lives. I believe we should activate our gratitude for this abundance by being responsible donors. Donating household goods IS philanthropy, so always be aware of how your donations will be used. Latest numbers from Goodwill® show that 82% of your donations’ collective revenue goes directly to their mission of helping people find work. This message is very important to me! It’s why I am the ambassador of Goodwill’s Donate Movement, and it’s also why at the end of my YouTube videos, I always say, “May you always be happy and grateful for having more than enough.”

Linda:  What has been your biggest personal clutter challenge?

Lorie:  My kids! Definitely. I have two teenage boys, and they are naturally not as conscious of keeping their parents’ house as tidy as they probably will be with their own homes.  In various ages and stages we’ve had different challenges with different kinds of toys. Right now it’s clothing and school papers that are their biggest clutter problems.

Linda:  Is there anything you’d like to share about clutter that I haven’t asked?

Lorie:  Fear is a huge factor in this topic of clutter and organizing that I feel needs addressing. I hear a lot of fear out there:  fear of waste, fear of loss, fear of offending someone, fear of not doing it perfectly right, and fear of missing out or not keeping up.  Fear is there to keep us safe, certainly, but it’s also there to challenge us, and its presence makes our victories sweeter. We have to push past it confidently to get clutter out of way so we can do the important things that really matter!

What inspiring thoughts, Lorie! I’m grateful that you shared your insightful, clear ideas about clutter, fear and abundance with us. I invite all of you to join Lorie and me as we continue the conversation. What are your clutter challenges, successes and stories? 

1. Clear Slate - Return things to square one. That might include putting away the dishes, clearing off your desk, or placing dirty clothes to the laundry basket. This will help to maintain clutter and promote mental clarity as you begin your day. When returning from our trip, it felt great to come home to a clutter-free space.

2. Think Less - How much is enough? The less stuff you have, the easier it will be to manage and maintain. While away, I was amazed by how many things I didn’t need.  I only packed a small portion of my belongings of which not all were used. Remember the 80/20 rule. In general, we only wear 20% of the clothes we own. We only reference 20% of the papers we file.

3. Complete Cycle - Develop an awareness of what you are doing. If you have just entered the house with groceries or purchases in hand, take time to put them away. The few minutes spent doing this minimizes clutter that might otherwise collect in hallways, corners and on floors.

4. Create Homes - When things have no place to go, they start to gather in piles. Establishing a place to put your things helps reduce clutter. Make sure that what you keep is “home worthy.” Is it useful? Do you love it? Does it fit? Do you need so many? Is it time to let go? Ask the questions before putting things away.

5. Pass On - What if the clutter represents things no longer wanted? Do I really want to keep my marble collection or pants that no longer fit? Is it time to reroute them? There are many people that would appreciate them. Can you donate to a local charity or give to family or friends? Many charities will pick-up clothing, linens, furniture and household items. Especially during transitions, we may find that our things “no longer fit” who we are or where we are headed. This can be a clutter reducing motivator.

6. Use Minutes - Clutter management doesn’t have to involve hours of time. Doing periodic ten minute sessions can be less overwhelming. Unpacking from our trip included clearing out my travel folder. Some items were filed and others were recycled. I used additional minutes to look through the four-year old college folders and clear out papers that are now irrelevant.

7. Purchase Consciously - Before you buy, think about not only whether you need it, but also where you will store it. Factoring this aspect into purchasing habits will prevent clutter from entering your home.

How do you reduce clutter? 

• Do I have too much? 
• Where does it come from?
• Will I ever get it organized?
• Why does other people’s clutter consume my space?

While all these questions are useful to ponder and solve, right now I’m thinking about the other side of clutter. What happens when we’ve answered those questions? Where are we then?

This spring in particular is a time of transition. Recently, I made a connection with this period of time to clutter. Our oldest daughter is about to graduate college. The four years have zoomed by. To acknowledge her journey, I created a photo album for her. As I looked through and selected the images, what I saw was a life full of “good clutter.” Spaces were filled, but not with physical clutter. Instead, they housed the most important things like family and friends sharing lively conversations, wonderful meals, laughter, love, and tears.

Like the de-cluttering process, these past years also included letting go.  We let go as both daughters went off to college. We became empty nesters. Letting go had its challenges, but it also provided the opportunity for growth.

The other side of clutter is about making room in your life for what is most important. What do you value? When you think about the clutter that takes up your space, your thoughts and your time, is it blocking you from getting to that other side? Perhaps you also are going through change. It’s a natural stage to rethink your clutter, release the extraneous, and open the door for something wonderful. What’s possible for you on other side of clutter?

Thinking about this relationship will help locate where you are with your clutter and give you ideas for possible next steps. I recognize that it’s not this black and white. Our relationship to clutter can shift regularly. This is just one concept. Find what makes sense to you.

Clutter Break

• You know you’re on a clutter break if you can easily move around your space, find what you need when you need it, and are not experiencing daily stress that is often associated with too much clutter.
• Next Step:  Your relationship to clutter is positive. You have no clutter worries and can shift your energy to other areas of your life. Choose what interests you like focusing on better self-care, having more time with friends and family, or learning something new. What’s possible for you?

Clutter Oblivion

• You don’t quite get what all the fuss is about. You have some piles here and there. What’s the big deal? You sometimes hunt for things, but for the most part you can find what you need. You prefer your things out and visible, but it’s the people you live that don’t like it. They give you a hard time because their clutter tolerance and yours are not the same.
• Next Step:  Conflicts arise when needs are contrary. It’s not that your way or their way is right or wrong, it’s just different.  Living with other people involves compromise, if you desire a more harmonious environment. So what might work? One suggestion is to create zones for communal and private areas? Establish boundary rules for these areas. The private areas can be kept any way the “owner” wants. The communal areas can include respect rules agreed on through compromise. What else might work?

Clutter Overwhelm

• The spaces, the thoughts, and the schedules are overflowing. There is not enough room to do what you need, have mental energy to feel calm, or time to make any changes. Or, at least it feels that way. The days aren’t flowing well. You spend time hunting for glasses, keys, the library book that’s due. You have so much going on in your head that you feel like it’s going to explode. Your calendar is over-scheduled and you feel like there is not time to relax.
• Next Step:  You always have choices. Especially now because you are so overwhelmed, it’s critical that you take a step back. No prizes are given for those that burn themselves out. Find a quiet space, make a cup of tea, and start to brainstorm about what can be released. For the physical clutter, can a closet, a drawer or a surface be de-cluttered? One small action can make an enormous difference. For the mind clutter, can you take 10-15 minutes to do a brain download? Get those floating thoughts out onto paper, computer or voice message. With the full calendar, think through your commitments. Can you convert any of the “yeses” into “not nows?” Self-care might seem like an impossibility right now. It’s more critical than ever. Break it down. Think small. What single tiny step can you take now?

What is your relationship to clutter right now? What comes next? Come join the conversation and share your thoughts with us.

@2012 Photo by Linda Samuels

1. Clutter Clearing:  Maybe the clutter is a small pile on the corner of your desk that feels like a mountain. Perhaps the clutter is your pile of clothes covering the bottom of your closet that makes it difficult to get dressed. Whatever and wherever the clutter is, spend some time sorting, releasing, and claiming back your space. I've had a growing pile of papers on my desk for too long. Each piece represented something to do, someone to call, a great idea to consider, or a random piece of intriguing information. When I finally decided, "Today's the day!” I filed, acted and released. I felt so much lighter and happier. My thoughts were clearer and so was my desk.

2. Thought Busters:  It's been an unusual and more stressful time than normal. Between losing my dad, having other family and friends in the hospital, running a business, going away for the annual NAPO conference, taking coaching classes and working with coaching clients, I've felt overwhelmed. Things are beginning to calm down after many months of being overloaded. I finally realized how unhelpful it was to continue verbalizing the stress. It only fueled my negative thoughts. Instead, I decided to redirect my words to be more encouraging. I’ve decided to say, "I am doing my best and that's good enough." I'm letting go of the guilt over what I'm not doing or could be doing. This is liberating.

3. Energy Boosters:  Are there people, things, or places that zap your sparkle? Is it time to let go of them? Paying attention to the things that deplete you is an important step in figuring out what to release. On the positive side, it's as important to be aware of what restores your energy. When we let go of the things that are troubling us, we make space for things that are nourishing. For me, I've been spending too much time inside. Instead of writing this post at my desktop, I went outdoors to write. I was able to enjoy the beautiful, sun-filled day. There was a slight breeze, the swooshing sound of the leaves rustling, birds chirping, and a distant woodpecker tapping. I could feel myself recharging as I sat and wrote. I let go of where I thought I should be writing and changed my environment. It made a huge difference. Be willing to move, shift and release. The outcome will surprise you.

What is your favorite letting go tip or experience? I invite you to join our conversation and share your thoughts.

Yota Schneider, Open for Success

It has been a pleasure to get to know Yota over this past year. My gratitude and thanks goes to her for sharing her thoughts about next steps. The interview is a two-part series. Part 2 will post this Wednesday. Come back to learn more because the wisdom she shares is too good to miss. Before we begin, here’s some background about Yota.

Yota Schneider is a life transitions coach working with people who want to explore the hidden gifts and opportunities of change in their lives. Her approach is inspiring, practical, and empowering. As a Seasons of Change certified Master Coach and a mindfulness meditation practitioner, Yota uses a variety of tools and strategies to help her clients overcome self-doubt, gain a new perspective on life’s ups and downs, and make decisions and choices that are fueled by greater clarity and a renewed sense of purpose. You can connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, or her website.

Linda:  You are a Seasons of Change certified Master Coach and expert on helping others figure out their next step. What are the key ingredients for making successful choices?

Yota:  Our choices depend on who we are at any given moment, our temperament and basic personality, what our priorities and aspirations are, where we stand on the continuum of our life and the influences we’re subjected to. What appears to be a successful choice today may not be such a great idea on a different day.

Like with everything else, we can only do the best we can. What does doing our best mean? It has to do with self-awareness, trust, timing, clarity, and refusal to settle for less than life has to offer.

We are not born knowing what successful choices look like. As we grow into our lives and gather experiences, we begin to understand that the only person we can really be is our self and the only life we can live is ours.

It takes time and inner work to come to know and appreciate who we are. Self-awareness helps us develop trust in our selves, skills, preferences and the forces that govern our lives. Over time we learn to act despite our fears and not settle for less.

Having developed self-awareness and trust opens us up to possibilities and the sheer potentiality that surrounds us. Once we begin to see possibilities and open up to a new way of being, it’s only a matter of time before it all falls into place.

That’s when inspiration and insights begin to flow. Doors begin to open for our allies to walk through and stand by our side. Our inner guidance system becomes fully operational and we begin to see clearly as the map is being laid out. At this point, our job is to hold on to our vision and put one foot in front of the other.

Having said that, I am well aware that there are no guarantees. There are things about our lives that we can’t explain or fully comprehend. There’s always the X Factor, something that intervenes and sends us on a detour. Yet, if we listen to people who have completed their detour and come back full circle, we hear them say that it was all worth it.

Our life is the sum of our experiences and choices. No matter how we interpret our experiences, they become indispensable components of the landscape of our lives.

Have you ever wondered: “Would your life be what it is today if you hadn’t traveled the path that was laid in front of you?”

Linda:  What if you aren’t sure what “next” looks like?

Yota:  When change happens, whether it’s perceived as good or bad, expected or unexpected, wished for or unwanted, we inevitably encounter uncharted territory. There’s a gap between what changed and what is going to be that’s filled with uncertainty, doubt, lack of clarity and fear of the unknown.

Change brings along the opportunity for growth, only growth doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time for the process of transition to come full circle. The timing and pace of it are personal and different for each one of us.

Most of us have not been taught and encouraged to be comfortable with uncertainty. Yet, this is exactly what we must do as we enter the “waiting” period. This time of “not knowing” is when so much is happening under the surface. Everything is being shaped in the dark room of creation. Our assignment is to stay put, do what we must, take good care of ourselves, honor our needs and go with the flow of our transition.

If you aren’t sure what “next” looks like, then you have to accept and honor this uncertainty, for now. Take care of your immediate needs, listen carefully to what your inner voice is saying, spend time alone and in nature, and engage in activities that nurture you and inspire you.

This can be a time of clearing out what doesn’t serve your life anymore and making room for the new. This is a good time to trust your intuition and be kind to yourself. If something doesn’t feel right, let it go. Surround yourself with people who understand what you’re going through and respect your process.

Above all, understand that this stage is a valuable part of the process of transition and it will not last forever. You’re not alone. Don’t let fear decide for you.

In due time, you’ll begin to sense your energy shifting and things begin to come alive again. You’ll begin to get glimpses, insights and inspiration. It is at this point, that you can begin to shift your focus to asking “What if...” questions and, as you do your homework, you’ll become clearer on what needs to be done, you’ll begin to build momentum, and before you know it, you’ll be on your way, once again.

Come join the conversation. Share your thoughts or questions about next steps. I invite you to stop back tomorrow for Part 2 of Yota’s interview when she shares more ideas about next steps and talks about why we get stuck and have difficulty moving forward.