Clutter.
Our lives are full of it.
And to be honest, I've never experienced more clutter in my life than right now.
As I type this, movers are hauling my "stuff" into my new home in Colorado...
... and I can't believe how much stuff there is.
I feel like I am being overtaken by boxes and furniture.
And just when you think they've brought it all in, there is more.
Clutter.
I know it will take a few weeks to sort through everything, and I wish I'd have had a garage sale before we left Oklahoma.
Nevertheless, all the clutter needs to be managed.
I tell you this for two reasons.
The first reason is that I am going to be a little "out-of-pocket" for the next couple weeks. Not only do I need to get my house in order, but we have moved offices as well and need time to get things set up.
For those who are trying to call the office and receiving no reply, that is the reason. We aren't ignoring you. We just aren't there to answer the phones yet!
I will have staff in the office on Monday, so if you are calling to speak with a person, we'll be there.
If you have an issue that can be addressed via my support desk, please utilize that method as I do have someone taking care of customers right now. The site is:
www.TheHelpDesk.us
Thank you for your patience as me and my team seek to serve you with the very best service we can offer.
The other reason I tell you about all the clutter is because I'm sure you can relate on some level.
Maybe you've got too much stuff and need to have a garage sale or donate some to a worthy cause.
Maybe you're doing too many things and not being effective at any of them.
Maybe you're committed to too many people and unable to juggle all the balls you've got in the air.
It's all clutter of one kind or another.
As I sort through the boxes and boxes of stuff that we've transported from Oklahoma to Colorado, I'll be making decisions on what needs to stay and what needs to go.
Why not take a few moments to evaluate your life?
Make some decisions. Choose wisely.
Declutter.
And then settle in with your choices. Make peace with them.
Once I've got everything sorted out, I plan on sitting on my back porch and enjoying the view of the Rockies.
But for now, "clutter" is my middle name. ;-)
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
February 9, 2007 11:47 AM
My wife, Mary, is a Professional Organizer. She could probably give you a phone consultation but then you sound like a resourceful person and have already sought out such help. Then too, since Mary Thomson, my wife, lives in Evanston, Il you may not be close enough to avail yourself of her talents, but maybe some of your readers might.
February 9, 2007 12:05 PM
Don't you find it funny (or ironic) that the adSence on YOUR 'clutter' page has a link to 1-800-got-junk?
;-)
Good luck with the clutter.
Cheers
February 9, 2007 01:08 PM
I have found that fire is a good solution...
February 9, 2007 04:22 PM
Congratulations on your new move. I lived in Colorado for twenty years and then, five years ago, moved to Oregon, mainly for it's more moderate climate. But OH, how I miss Colorado!
Best wishes for even greater success in your new location!
February 9, 2007 05:00 PM
Joel and family;
I wish you every happiness in your new home.
Clutter used to be my middle name, but last Summer a colleague gave me a book on Feng Shui. Me---a dyed in the wool scientist! I couldn't put the book down all night, and went out the next day to buy out the local B&N.
My place is transformed. No! It doesn't look like a Chinese shop!
There is a plethora of information online. I recommend the "Fast" Feng Shui series of books as well as those written by Lillian Too.
I have no financial interest in any Feng Shui enterprise, and hasten to add it's not a religion. It's just a system.
Did you think the magnetic compass was invented by navigators? Me, too. Then I learned Feng Shui practitioners invented it.
Bottom line: Feng Shui works. Amazingly, dramatically well.
If you had told me a year ago a Chinese organizational system would transform my chaotic, energy-depleting home, I would have laughed. Not any more. My attitude, relationships, finances and internet business have been transformed remarkably. And I was barely open minded about it at the beginning. This isn't what we in medicine call the placebo effect.
You will never regret using Feng Shui.
Dr. Renee LaScala
Go Avs!
February 9, 2007 05:01 PM
Dear Joel
A small cultural difference? In Australia "out of pocket" means that you are short of money - perhaps you are but maybe you did not wish to give that impression?
I think that a garage sale after you arrive makes good sense!
Regards
Jill
February 9, 2007 05:49 PM
Congradulations on the new home. I understand the clutter disease. The amount of stuff in my house was making it split at the seams. We had a yard sale last summer sold very little and gave the rest to charity.Think this summer another purge is in order.
February 9, 2007 09:30 PM
Sounds like someone needs to adopt the Flylady.net method of daily decluttering/organizing. I you don't love it, haven't used it in 6 months, don't see yourself using it again in the next 6, chuck it or donate it. Liberate yourself from the clutter man, you can't believe how good it feels.
February 10, 2007 12:44 AM
Just wanted to say good luck with the moving, and congrats, up-rooting is allways aggravating and exciting at the same time!
Take care, Jc
February 10, 2007 08:25 AM
Joel:
I get you completely. Change is a constant in our lives and it seems to seep into our lives even if we aren't moving. I aquire things being a contactor and have a bad habbit of just piling them up outside with the dedicated plan of getting to them later. Well, the county had other ideas and sent me a no nosense demand that I clean it up. I did, grudgingly, but now I look out over my property and . . . it's better. Much better. You will feel the same way when your new house and offices are organized and running smoother than before. Good luck and God bless. ken Drake
February 10, 2007 09:08 AM
Hi Joel,
Since you are one of my top
IM-men, I new, not open 24/7 yet, finding your emails very useful, above DECENT, thanks, I have to react!!
My heartfelt empathy, not wishing moving house upon my worst enemies (but one or two) cheer up - and DE-clutter.
In fact moving every 2 years ensures a fairly decluttered life, I did that for a while, but it is still a hassle.
A warm wishing you and the family tons of strengh from
Willy Spoelder
(Dutch but residing in Southern Turkey)
February 10, 2007 03:39 PM
Hi Joel,
I feel for you on the clutter thing, and the moving too. I can tell though that it has caused you to recognise a need you had, and that is more than half the battle right there.
You quit to soon on your move, you should have kept on going
till you got to central Wyoming, where I live. The view of
the Rockies is better because the air is cleaner, not near
the people to put up with, and the ones that are here are
friendlier. And the taxes are cheaper, no state income tax
in Wyoming!
I am rather new to the internet world, about 5 months, and I
haven't made much at it yet, but I wanted to let you know
that a lot of what I have learned so far has come from you
in one way or another. I find it interesting that now you
are getting closer to me with your move. An oman, maybe?
Anyway, all the best to you, and may it all come together and fall into place quickly.
Gary Jacobs
February 10, 2007 06:02 PM
Imagine getting married and having 4 kids all since april 2003, Just thought I would give you a picture of a different world, mine. We have been making major renovations to our kitchen and living without a kitchen sink for 4 days now. Hope this makes you take a deep breath and realize life is great regardless of clutter (or screeming and pulling)