Clearing My Clutter 21

Started on the Neighbourhood.

After jet washing the patio, I did not get round to doing the back path. However, I did start on the garage parking area around the corner. I got out my trusty hoe and big brush. The area is made up of paving bricks and has become quite a mess. Moss has got in to all the gaps between the bricks, and soil, which the ants keep bringing to the surface, has provided good anchor for seedlings and weeds. There are even Ash tree saplings growing, (likely from the 100 year old tree in my back garden).

It was gone 2pm, so late enough on a Sunday to make some noise, I think! So, a hoeing I went. Quite enjoyable to be uplifting the mossy growth and dislodging the weeds. I brushed up the debris and tossed it into the neighbours' green bins. I only managed to do approx a 12 foot wide strip about 3 car lengths across, but it is enough for now and took me about half an hour. Not much time at all. I'll have another go another day. Anyway, who knows, maybe some neighbours will have a bash, like the people at the back with the new fencing, as mentioned in an earlier post of mine. I am pleased with the results so far and have come in feeling physically wrecked, but quite pleased with myself. OH! Please... allow me to pat myself on the back. It spurs me on to do more.

So that's a bit more clutter cleared, I'm sure it will help again, feng shui wise. This area is connected with my career and wealth.

Clearing My Clutter 20

Not so much clutter, as yucker!

I Jet washed my patio and garden path today. It was getting quite yucky and slippery. It took me 3 hours with a quick coffee break, provided by my DH. I could have done with a comfort break too, but that would have meant stripping off my water proofs and wellies. Should have got a photo for you, but you'll have to take my word for it. I was covered in splashes of muck all over my face and specs. I felt like Margo out of 'The Good Life', in my yellow plastic pants and top. I now feel a great sense of achievement. This will hopefully lead on to my jet washing the passage from the back garden round to the front and will help Feng Shui wise in eliminating waste stuff from my life.

My DH also cleared some clutter today. He bought some new garden furniture last week and broke the old bench up, then took it to the tip. The next thing to tackle before summer is gone completely, (not that we've had much), is the over-growth of all the shrubbery. My DH has been doing the gardening tasks these past few years. I used to do it all the time, but found my working life so full, that I've did not seem to have enough time and energy left for the garden. I am now getting more involved again. We have a Mahonia that has turned into a prickly monster. Not looking forward to that one!

Clearing My Clutter 19

You'll never guess what has happened. After clearing away the clutter from the side of my shed and cutting back my neighbours ivy; my neighbour has replaced the fence panels that divide our gardens and taken down all the ivy to boot!!! WOW, I would not have thought that the Feng Shui effect would stretch to this. Whoopeeee!

OK OK so I may be getting a little carried away here, but it's so good to see the ripple effect in practice. As Karen Kingston has said in her book 'Clear Your Clutter' - that when you start clearing clutter, those around you miraculously do so too.

Clearing My Clutter 18

Today was clearing the side of the shed day. Well; most of it anyway. I cleared a load of rubbish, which went to the tip with the help of my DH (Dear Husband). Just some gravel stones to clear, which can easily wait for another day. The plan is to have a good space to store my wheel barrow, which has been inaccessible on the other side of the shed, where I had made an area for composting. The trees that screen off this area have grown so big, that it is now inconvenient to access. I like the trees so the area will be out of bounds, and I plan to keep it clear of rubbish, so that come the day when the trees have had their time I will be able to reclaim the space.

I have also cut out some of my neighbours Ivy, which was growing through and over the fence and blocking my exit route through the back garden gate and down the passageway. This will help in Feng Shui terms; with the flow of chi and releasing of waist products from my life.

It feels really good each time I clear some clutter. I feel refreshed and energised to do some more. The small sense of achievement helps me to continue, even though I rest in between activities.

Clearing My Clutter 10

I am a follower of Clutter Clearing introduced to me by Karen Kingston. I have made this link to her website, so that we may share some of her wisdom and knowledge. I hope you like it, please return to my blog again.

Mottainai

Space Clearing, Clutter Clearing, and Feng Shui by Karen Kingston - Saturday, 16 August 2008

Clearing My Clutter 3

Like 'Raiders of the Lost Arc', I ventured into the dark crevices, commonly known as my garage. Or should that be our garage? Well I think I will stick with my garage, seeing how it's mainly my clutter within! I was rooting around for my 'InnerTalk' Cd's as mentioned earlier. So I did some clutter clearing at the same time. Ever noticed, how when you can't find something you do some tidying up? I was up on a stack of garden chairs, you know, those cheapy white plastic one's. Excellent value for money, (I'm all for that). It's always embarrassing when your neighbours see inside your garage and it's full of junk! Well one of mine was passing with their Spaniel. The little darling darted straight inside; my neighbour protesting and apologising. I just shouted, "don't come in her, you might never get out". What else was I to say? Of course being up high and the garage door being only half open, (so's nobody could see inside!), my neighbour was forced to bob down, which lead to them seeing even more of my rubbish! I climbed down and came out into the dull sunless day. Explaining how I had read 'Clear Your Clutter'. (You'll be thinking I have shares in this book by the way I keep mentioning it, but it's just that good). Explanations over and my neighbour going on their way I got stuck back into my quest.

Yes I did find my InnerTalk CD's and yes they are now on Amazon if you're interested. I also found two mirrors, which Karen mentions in her book 'Clear Your Clutter'. So they had to go straight away. One was destined for the bin, because it was scratched and bitty, so would give off very bad energy even if used somewhere. The other is going to 'The Bridgend Centre'. I recovered a few other items, which are now destined for their appropriate places and I feel really good about it.

Blogging has taken up quite a bit of my time today, but I've still managed to get through quite a few things; even going out for lunch with him indoors, which was very enjoyable. My problem now is stopping myself long enough to have a good nights sleep.

The Christmas stuff came down from the loft today, and I tell you, it's not all going back up at the end of the season! We've got enough cards to open our own shop. Mind you, we will be sending over 100 to friends and family. That's why I don't do cards for neighbours or work colleagues; I can wish them a Happy Christmas in person.

My next challenge is to complete updating my address book and printing off my Christmas card labels in time for posting on 1st Dec, (only 6 days away!). The plan for next week-end is to take stuff to my brother's and on Sunday to put up our Christmas decorations and take the surplus to 'The Bridgend Centre'. Hey it is fun getting rid of clutter.

Clearing My Clutter 2

Two weeks in to Clearing My Clutter and I'm still going strong, despite the time of the month arriving and the coming of a full moon. In the run up to either of these I usually get very tired and lose the energy and inclination to do anything. It is a time when I seem so accumulate more clutter and in a sense I have, because I have been ordering books from Amazon as if they are about to go out of business, (which of course they are not!). Then again it is also the run up to Christmas and I have been preparing; by buying presents and fun games to keep everyone amused around the Christmas dinner table.

One very good table/party game is called 'Nose Aerobics', you'll have to try it, but I have just bought the last one from http://www.amazon.co.uk/ : Not sure when they will have them in again, so if you're interested try www.hawkinsbazaar.com, where I have just ordered more sets. The story goes: Christmas 2006 around the dinner table we had all had our fill of Christmas fayre and where resting before diving in to Christmas pud etc... I got out the 'house' present. As I donned the special glasses everyone looked puzzled. They are "very silly, but there's nothing wrong with that! The special glasses have 13cm protruding stem to which the other components can be attached to play all sorts of ridiculous games and activities using only movements of the head. Nose Hoola-Hoop and Basketball requires skill and practice, the Ball Bearing puzzle patience and subtlety whilst vigorous head shaking is usually sufficient to operate the Clackers. At least one set should be purchased for any gathering of young or mixed ages; everyone can join in, have a go and look completely ridiculous". (passage taken from Hawkin's Bazaar). It was Absolutely Hilarious! Everyone was crying with laughter. I intend to take a set on a night out with friends next week so watch this space.

Back to Clearing My Clutter. At week-ends I normally have a nap in the afternoon. However, over this last two weeks I have been clearing my clutter and other exciting things, which I won't go into as I may get distracted again and the point of clearing my clutter is to become more focused. I often run headlong into new projects (typically Arian), and later when I get the gist of it, I loose interest. This is a project I will continue for the rest of my life. I am also ensuring I use positive affirmations while writing my blog and in all other aspects of my life, but that's another distraction for another day.

Last week-end I went around my house opening all the windows and doors. I also opened all cupboards and drawers. After opening the last drawer I left them all open for half an hour. I felt this was a good way to freshen up the place and assist with my clutter clearing. It invigorated me and helped me to see into all the spaces in my home. I was able to decide on the next course of action; which was desk clearing. Alhough there are still things on my home desk, at least I can now see my desk!

This last couple of weeks I have cleared out a few drawers and whisked the clutter off to charity shops and recycle centres. I have parted with a few gifts that I felt guilty for not wanting, even though I liked them and appreciated receiving them. I have sold some unwanted books on Amazon, which will help make up for books I have bought!

I have made a start on updating my address book in preparation for printing labels for our Christmas cards, and will be fetching the cards we bought a few weeks ago from the loft, as well as some left over from last year. 'Waste not, want not'. So long as the energy keeps flowing.

I have become aware of the 'clutter' places around my home and which parts of my life they are affecting. My garage is a biggy and so is the loft. I will be tackling these a stage at a time, so I don't get overwhelmed, which is something I used to do quite often. Each time I find myself thinking of too many things at once and start to make a mental 'to do' list; I check myself and either write my 'to do's' down or put the ideas on the back burner and if they are really important I know they will surface again, or I decide they were not attainable and ditch them altogether. I'm learning how to say no to my mental clutter.

I have made a firm date with my brother to take him some of my clutter, which he will find useful. 'One man's rubbish is another man's treasure'. I now ask my Angels to help me, also take my old fridge to my brother next Saturday.

Today I will once again venture into the murky depths of my garage and salvage some 'InnerTalk' CD's. InnerTalk are a collection of positive affirmation CD's, which can be played while you do other things. I will write more on these in another posting, as I am also intending to sell them on Amazon. I have a set for my own use and no longer need the rest.

That's enough jobs for now. I will post more developments another time. Breakfast calls.

Clearing My Clutter

I have just discovered this brilliant little book: 'Clear Your Clutter' by Karen Kingston and I fully recommend it to anyone who finds themselves running round in circles and never quite getting all that they want out of life. I find it difficult to completely relax in my wakeful hours, so I am always very busy or asleep. This is part due to my clutter, and by this I mean physically - around my home, garden and garage; in my unattended commitments to family, friends, colleagues, neighbours and other associates; unfinished projects, courses and professional business. Then there are all the new ideas that pour into my head, which I am unable to act upon because of my clutter. In the past I have been a starter and not a completer. Well! Now I am a completer thanks to 'Clear Your Clutter'. I have only had the book a week and have offloaded one car-full of clutter and have the car full again; waiting to go to the local charity shop.




I am also clearing clutter, which has been lying around my workplace for years, and sapping all my creative energy. I bought the book 'Clear Your Desk' by Declan Treacy, which is recommended by Karen Kingston in her book. This too is a brilliant read and has enabled me to make a start on sorting my desk and office space.




If any of you have read 'The Celestine Prophecy' by James Redfield, then you will know what I mean about coincidences, when I tell you that while clearing my clutter of books I came across my April 2007 issue of 'Natural Health' magazine. On the front cover it advertises one of it's articles on Feng Shui Secrets, so I read it and found it had just the sort of basic ideas I need right now to spur me on further.



I am working towards my job promotion at present and using my new 'Clear My Clutter' skills.

I sent a copy of 'Clear Your Clutter' to my cousin, whom I have recently visited and is an even worse hoarder than me. She phoned me up and excitedly told me how she had cleared two corners of her lounge and found a new owner for an old TV & stand she kept in her bedroom.
SHE HAD ONLY READ UP TO PAGE 20!

I get most of my books from http://www.amazon.co.uk/

I better get back to clearing my clutter. Instead of doing just fun stuff; I can do fun and useful stuff!