COVID Causing Clutter Issues
? Linda Lenore, MA
Feng Shui Master. Creating Healthy, Happy, & Harmonious Homes (And Work-At-Home Spaces). Speaker. Author.
Leading the news headlines yesterday was a story how clutter & hoarding have increased due to COVID. I was shocked by that statement, especially since most of the people I had talked with during COVID were taking time to go through things while we were in the mist of the pandemic!
But life has changed since we are no longer “sheltered-in-place!” So has our mental outlook on life changed in many ways, which is a bit disturbing.
Instead of taking the time to continue organizing, many people are busy traveling. They're busy catching up on all the trips they had planned to take. This disrupts routines opening the door for clutter to gather and reducing the amount of time one has to keep up with the everyday tasks needed to maintain an orderly space.
Here are the most common issues, many of which I have personally experienced and learned how to overcome the obstacles or cope with the situations.
Most Common “Problem” Items
I recently read about the most common items where people get stuck. I could relate because they are the areas where I personally have had issues. The area is READING MATERIALS and learning modalities.
Magazines, newspapers, textbooks, catalogs, information packed materials, newsletters (in the email inbox as well as a few that come through the snail mail these days), the FREE downloads to get you on the email list, and the long email sales letters. Oh, and the workbooks – yes, those things they give you to follow along on the educational or conference lectures & programs.
For those of us who are slow readers or have ADHD, these items are daunting to handle. We don’t want to miss anything, and we want to learn EVERYTHING!
A couple of the biggest Feng Shui problems with all the “paper” items is: 1) They gather dust, they rot and mildew, most contain toxic chemicals in the ink, and “critters” live and hide in them, and 2) They are a fire hazard as well as a possible trip hazard since they often land on the floor.
领英推荐
Guilty! There, I said it. I’m being real with you.
In case you haven’t realized this, even though I have said it several times, I truly do know some of the things you have been feeling or experiencing because I have been there – BIG TIME!!!
Decades ago I started "virtual" Clutter Buster programs where participants gather for 90 minutes and actually work on a project or two for about an hour. We meet and greet, state an intention, set timers to focus our attention, and then gather again to celebrate wins. It's a safe and supportive environment - without judgment!
To join me in the upcoming sessions the week of September 9-16, click on this link: https://linda.mastermind.com/masterminds/46979
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Use this Discount Code and hit APPLY: 77CB
Women love this program because they get things done in a community of pro-active and loving ladies!
Register NOW and put on your calendar to join us starting on Saturday, September 9 at 12pm PDT.
Your embarrassed inner child will feel nurtured and your adult self will thank you!
Owner at Flying White Dragon Design
1 年My other issue is not really clutter. I just have so many beloved things, since my parents died a few years ago. I am an only child of an only child, and I only have 1 child - and she has totally different taste than mine, so I have all our treasures. I am NOT ready to even pack away most of these things - they still bring me joy and comfort to look at along the bookshelves, and elsewhere, neatly & artfully. (But definitely make dusting challenging ha!) I know I need to do some work to let go of "things" - but when they are really pretty, that is an especial challenge. And they have happy memories. Wow it helps to talk about it here. Perhaps I just need to organize in a different way so that the paperwork I have to keep, can be put away better. I also have full file cabinets, so current financial papers (past few years since parents died) are in boxes or neat stacks in my room, which is also my office. Perhaps I can pack away some of what is in my old file cabinets (it is useful and cool information!!), and then use them again for current papers. Though I do hate the bending and reaching into the back of file drawers! Wish that had an easier solution! I will think about it now! Thanks for being a place to process!
Owner at Flying White Dragon Design
1 年My clutter is more about not being able to find the right place to donate, or have repaired, or recycle. I am just so unwilling to throw things into the landfill! So sometimes it can take awhile to clear those things.
??? ??Business Acceleration & Digital Marketing Coach | Flow Consultant | Health Advocate | Author | Speaker
1 年Thanks for sharing your article, my friend! Wow, it's a real thing!! It's amazing how divinely things come in. I've been doing the post-Covid decluttering over the last few weeks. I've never accumulated stuff like this before. I've been throwing things away, giving away those magazines (after I black out the name and address) to the local assisted living centers, giving clothes and shoes away, packing that storage crate, and reorganizing. It started with the kitchen drawers. LOL! It feels good to let stuff go and the air of abundance flow. ??
Owner, Unexpected Treasures
1 年Fascinating, Linda. Your clutter-buster virtual class is great. I participated a few years ago and was motivated to handle several clutter problems. Glad you are doing it again.
Broker | Advocate | Consultant | Educator | Strategist
1 年Thanks for sharing, Linda! Actually, I found the opposite for me, as I noticed the clutter in my home during the pandemic and couldn't stand the sight of it, so got rid of stuff. But it was an issue donating as no one was taking things during the pandemic. Ha!