Having a heatwave here in Australia. In Melbourne we got just over 40 degrees Celsius yesterday.
That's 104 Fahrenheit for all you guy's still using imperial.
Along with the heat we get slammed with these hot northerly winds from the deserts from the center of Australia and boy are they oppressive. The gusts of winds can reach incredible speeds and this time round since our Black Saturday back in 2009 is no exception. Very scary as we are all tinder box dry and all it takes is a spark to start what can turn out to be devastating. Hence, why I have not made any progress with my 'downsizing' since.
By the way 43.5 Celsius is 110 Fahrenheit. We are expecting 41 on Monday and have had up to 48 in 2009. In South Australia and Western Australia they can go up and beyond 50! Harsh conditions indeed.
I get the Oprah newsletters via email and noticed a recent article of sorts with Peter Walsh. An Aussie doing well in the USA with his helpful clutter hints. I would dearly love to know if he ever went through this himself.
I have listened and used some of these tips myself (however I tweak them to suit). They always come across as not really understanding that we all are not the same. These tips do not suit nor fit all. My advice is to use the tips given and toss out that don't.
For example here is one of his quote's from the article...
..................“The only kind of clothes you should have in your closet are clothes that fit you, clothes you look great in, and clothes that garner you tons of compliments when you wear them. Don’t have 'wish' clothes in your closet. Those clothes exist for only one reason: to mock you.”
I don't agree that this is the case. I have a lot of clothes that I rotate and change. I have loads of dresses that I haven't worn for a long time and now am just getting back to wearing them. This can be a seasonal thing. It is also well and good if you can afford to just toss everything away. Things can be altered or changed or sold. Not everything is this black and white.
Next up is...
...............“We believe if we let go of the object, we’ll lose the memory. You need to shift your mindset...If someone has given you something, that person wants you to be happy before they want you to hold on to all of this stuff.”
Obviously, Peter never met my family! In this instance he doesn't seem to include those from many walks of life especially those from ethnic backgrounds. We hold onto everything. When my family elders gave me presents they expected them to be in the family for generations and become heirlooms! Seriously.
Next quote...
.............“Find the treasures in your sentimental clutter. Take photographs of the rest, and let it go.”
I agree with this one wholeheartedly. Not easy to start to do, but once you do it will make your decisions of what to let go that much easier and will help you through this process with less angst and heartache.
Next quote...
..................“The secret to successful decluttering is this: You will never get organized if you don’t have a vision for the life you want... Ask, 'Does this thing create that vision or get in the way of that vision? If it does, hold on to it with all your life. If it doesn’t, why is it in your home?”
This one I am on the fence with. Not the best position to be in, but it is not always that simple, especially for those that rent. You may not have the earning capacity to make everything great for each residence. For example, curtains. I always had loads of curtains in varying shades and sizes to fit the windows of where I lived. I have saved an enormous amount of money by this alone. If I tossed them every time I would have kept the shop Spotless even richer and me poorer. I do get what is meant here, but not always achievable. This I would tweak for the renters out there.
Last quote for this section...
................“What I know for sure is that when you declutter—whether it's in your home, your head, or your heart—it is astounding what will flow into that space that will enrich you, your life, and your family.”
This is where we all would like to head and get to. Once there some will feel it instantly. Others wont. But that is okay. Just which journey we choose to get there is the choice we make that will help us enjoy what you have when you get there in the end. In my case I have chosen to take my time so I can enjoy life along the way and be involved with my children as they grew/grow. I know I wont regret this choice to actively purge the 'stuff' slowly. Having read on one would believe that everyone has a plethora of help and assistance or huge families with hubby's at the ready, willing and able to help. I am alone and help is not always so freely available. That and I don't want to overtax my friends and hey... keep them as friends. Some things you just have to do yourself. And that means time in abundance is needed along with patience.
If that isn't enough this article had a quiz which I decided to take. Both ways as in twice. My goodness how to win and influence people to be proactive. Give me a break. Why do people have to use sarcasm as a form to motivate. That is the last thing that would help me out of my doldrums. If this is any indication of the 'help' I could expect, then I would run for the hills.
Took this test twice to see what would happen.
First time did it for real and this came up.
...................Your Result:
Good news.
You're a clutter victim.
This may not sound like good news, but it means that you, like so many
others, have fallen victim to the clutter buildup that's hard to avoid when you
have a busy life, diverse interests, disposable income, family memorabilia and
a steady influx of purchases and junk mail. Not to worry. With a reasonable
amount of effort, you'll be able to get your clutter issues under control and
keep them that way.
Next: How to de-clutter your home for good
Next: How to de-clutter your home for good
Well, no surprises there, but hardly a disposable income. That is an assumption I would never make. Otherwise, fairly harmless. Did go to the next step, but will write about that in a moment.
Next, I did the test and made everything bad as could be and here is the result of the quiz and what was said...
.....................Your Result:
Uh-oh.
Looks like you're a hard-core hoarder.
It's amazing that you found
a pen to take this quiz. But don't take it too hard or feel overwhelmed: The
first step is admitting the problem. Remember that sometimes a first round of
decluttering isn't enough. A few months after your first purge, you'll look at
the same stuff you thought you couldn't throw out and realize you haven't
touched it since your cleanup. It takes a while to get used to the idea that if
you don't use it, if it's not part of your life, if it doesn't serve your
goals, then it's just a waste of space. You'll get there!Next: 5 steps to get in control of your clutter
Well, that just warms the cockles of my heart. First off, it was an on-line quiz and you would have to question the reference to the pen and person who made that comment. And after that ... like as if you would read on feeling all warm and fuzzy inside and looking forward to such positive suggestions! Not.
Why put someone down if your intent is to help? This is exactly what I object to. Why when someone's down, kick 'em while they are down instead of what had started out as proposing to be helpful. Now just imagine if I had taken this quiz all those years ago when I was miserable and grieving as to how low I would have felt reading this back then. This is never a joke when the recipient doesn't feel it and this can seriously hurt people and do more serious damage.
More harmful than helpful if you ask me.
Luckily, I can see it for what it is now, hence why I started this blog in order for all not to feel put down or demoralised in any way. But rather feel supported through what is a most difficult time in ones life to do.
I wouldn't even bother to go any further. But I did go to the next step for the sake of the exercise.
Guess what.
The advice was exactly the same for both outcomes.
Really. Are you serious. If the outcomes were different why is the help the same? So why ridicule one and not the other? This is when I get hot under the collar.
If you cannot say something nice then don't say 'nothin' at all.
This quiz may not have been made by Peter Walsh as this was not in keeping with his style. However, it is attached to his article. It is in no way helpful in anyway as I see it.
There is no need to put people down and into little boxes of hardcore loathing attitude.
Just makes me sad when these types of things are out there to keep those who have an issue with 'Clutter' in a state of shame. It is just so unnecessary.
The lady who came to my place to help me get started in my lounge room earlier last year never and I mean not once made me feel ashamed, but rather looking forward to the possibilities. This is how it should be done.
So in answer to my question, to a point they help if it is done with kindness of spirit and sincere intent.
Like all advice we must take it with a grain of salt and toss out what does not fit the moment.
If it is said with sarcasm and malice then don't bother with it at all.
I would like to say, even if I don't see Peter Walsh as the guru myself I do not think he was responsible for the quiz. That would have been some sub-editor's doing and being Oprah I will be sending an email noting what my thoughts are on that.
Chime in with your thoughts on experts and shows highlighting the worst end of this topic.
Well Cheers once more from one overheated in many ways
Anita
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