Organizational Therapy
Posted on | February 1, 2012 | 10 Comments
So, Gretchen Rubin of The Happiness Project was one of the keynote speakers at Alt Summit. I haven’t read the book, but the basic premise is that Gretchen spent a year of her life trying to be happy. Gretchen has plenty to say on the topic of happiness and her blog is worth a read through. She says one of her “greatest realizations about happiness is that outer order contributes to inner calm.” I find that when I walk in to a clean(ish) apartment I do feel a sense of calm and warmth. And when my place is messy and disheveled it makes me feel lazy and irritated. So, in an effort to find some inner calm this weekend, I cleared off and decluttered my dresser (which was admittedly getting pretty scary). I still own way too many earrings and bracelets. But it looks good and it feels even better.
p.s. I give it one week. Maybe two.
p.p.s. Need some encouragement to de-clutter your own life? Check out Gretchen’s Eleven Myths of De-Cluttering
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10 Responses to “Organizational Therapy”
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February 1st, 2012 @ 3:35 pm
I read her book over Thanksgiving and took a highlighter to that text like nobody’s business. Very interesting insight and ideas…
February 1st, 2012 @ 3:48 pm
SO TRUE!! I’m going to check out that book/blog asap. I find I can’t really “function” in a messy house (especially since I work from home, and the nearest wifi/coffee shop from my farm is a min. 20 minute drive). I feel like so much of my life is spent cleaning up after kids/dogs, etc., it doesn’t leave a lot of time for other things. I try to keep to a “cleaning schedule” and that helps… maybe I should just get rid of the kids (Kidding! Kidding!). Anyway, it’s a Catch-22 sometimes but having a clean house definitely makes me happier.
Your dresser make-over looks GREAT!! I love your earring tree… I could totally see you making a bunch of those and selling them on Etsy. I really like your little bowls and mirror, too. Great job!
February 1st, 2012 @ 4:31 pm
Completely agree! I can’t function well in mess. But I also find that constant tidying up usually means I’m trying to avoid something. It’s a balance.
February 1st, 2012 @ 4:49 pm
1. I found your blog via your ALT recap and I totally love every bit of it.
2. I read this book and am a big Gretchen Rubin fan now. It’s a quick and fascinating read- super smart writing with lots of wit to boot.
3. Kudos on tidying up your dresser. I find that my dresser and kitchen table become the unfortunate dumping grounds for all sorts of miscellaneous stuff. It’s so nice when there’s order in those places instead!
February 1st, 2012 @ 6:06 pm
I didn’t use to be affected by clutter/mess – but as I get older, I am more and more. Like, the “after” picture just relaxes me! Look at all those pretty bracelets!
Also, my bedroom is a disaster. Time to shame-clean.
February 1st, 2012 @ 6:12 pm
I agree with that. I’m kind of a neat freak, everything has to have a spot. If the art project table gets too thick with beads or whatever, I have to clear it off so I can work.
February 2nd, 2012 @ 1:09 am
This makes my order-loving heart very happy.
February 2nd, 2012 @ 1:30 am
Such lovely organization! I do think outer organization does lead to inner calm, but I think it’s also hard for a leopard to change its spots. Sometimes, you have to find your own very unique organization system rather than conform to what others might call organized.
February 2nd, 2012 @ 4:26 am
How nice does it feel to organise your life, esp jewellery and beauty products (always the first to become decluttered) nice work, and good luck with the upkeep!
February 4th, 2012 @ 12:06 am
Hey! I have those same bowls. Well I have a set of them in blue. Love them.
I’m one of those terrible types that leaves a wake of clutter behind me wherever I go. It’s pretty terrible.
Especially considering I’m married to a guy who is driven insane by clutter.
What can I say? I guess opposites attract. Every once in a while, though, the clutter gets to even me and I do my best to neaten.
Begrudgingly I’ll admit, it does feel pretty flippin’ great.