7 Free Gifts That Almost Led Me Down The Garden Path

By Lynn Fraser, Power Coach & Holistic Decluttering Mentor

This offer came in the mail: “The publisher has authorized us to offer Happy Tips magazine to select individuals at up to 70% off the cover price, plus 7 FREE GIFTS. Respond today to take advantage of this discount offer.”

I thought, how did the publisher know I needed a kickstart for spring with a new gym bag plus five work out DVD’s & a 7 day detox program? And all for FREE!

OR DO I?

I almost forgot to breathe deeply & to ask myself the Top 3 Decluttering Questions:

  1. Do I really need this?
  2. Will I be able to find it quickly when I need it (amongst all the other magazines and resources I already own)?
  3. Will adding this item keep me on track to a simple, happy & meaningful life?

Oh my… reviewing these questions – especially the third one- makes my decision clear. I don’t need more stuff! Those DVD’s will just end up adding to my already overflowing bookshelves that hold numerous other magazines, self-help books and DVD’s that I feel embarrassed about not using.

It’s not that thetips aren’t useful. They are. I already know many of these and I am doing the ones that are a good fit for me. Tip #47: Hold a plank pose for one minute. (I’m already at 20 seconds in plank pose and working my way up from there.)

With that, I recycle the offer and celebrate that I avoided bringing seven more items plus 12 magazines a year into my home.Whew!

Now that decision is made something more pressing surfaces…

Pile Dancing: It’s A Race To The Finish

I am guilty as I write this article of having my office closet full, shelves overflowing with books/audio and file drawers so stuffed that I can’t fit my fingers in! All was well when I started the systems fifteen years ago but I’ve reinvented myself so many times, as most of us entrepreneurs do, that many of the older resources – good as they are- no longer fit my current purpose.

My decluttering strategy is to tackle a category of clutter: in this case it’s my business books and audio. I set the intention to make space for the New& Better Fitbooks with ease & flow. I hang a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on my door and turn off my phone so I’m not distracted. I take a sip of water; ground myself and pick a CLI Values card*. What do you know… the Value of Cleanliness appears. Perfect! I write down my answer to the following question, “How will I use this Value as a strength in my decluttering session today?” (Answer: I keep the end in mind. I choose to have uncluttered surroundings to assist my mind to be uncluttered. This serves myself and my clients in the best way possible. ) NOW I’m ready to begin sorting.

“Nothing diminishes anxiety faster than action.” Walter Anderson

I set my timer & quickly make three piles: To Keep, To Decide, To Consign/Donate. Once my timer goes off, I then set it again & review the “To Decide” pile & make a final decision whether those items are keepers or not. At this point I’m down to two piles: “To Keep” or “To Consign/Donate.” Good work so far, Lynn.

Yet, here’s when I need to stay on track. I take a few deep breaths. Sip my water.

Then I pack those books to consign/donate in separate boxes, label and put them in my car before I change my mind! (See RESOURCES for websites & used bookstores)

Shelf Etiquette

My “To Keep” books/audio now go on the shelves by category and alphabetically, with the ones I use most frequently near my desk. Those I rarely use can go on the bottom & back rows. They may be the nextones to go. I’m on a roll!

Enjoy The Space You’ve Made

You know this for sure: Avoiding signing up for another monthly publication, plus accepting 7 FREE GIFTS, keeps your space less cluttered. The SEESA and Edmonton Public Libraries both have all kinds of resources you can read/listen to and then, return. Think of the garden analogy… you thin the carrots in order to harvest fewer, larger and healthier carrots. It’s the same with your possessions. Less is more.

And, the benefits to having less stuff are numerous….Feel energized, focused and healthier. Prevent falls. Remain independent in your home longer, happy in body, mind and spirit.

Remember you are more than your possessions. You are complete in and of yourself. I write about decluttering because I need to learn this just as much as you! Blessings to you all. Lynn

“A simple life is not seeing how little we can get by with – that’s poverty – but how efficiently we can put first things first… When you’re clear about your purpose and your priorities, you can painlessly discard whatever does not support these, whether it’s clutter in your cabinets or commitments on your calendar.” Victoria Moran

Resources

DONATE:

Look up where to donate your books/audio that are not suitable for consignment.

CONSIGN/SELL:

Ascendant Books on 124 St. ascendantbooks.com or 780-452-5372

Wee Book Inn Website: weebookinn.com

Downtown: 780-423-1434

Old Strathcona: 780-432-7230

Alberta Avenue: (118 Avenue) 780-474-7888

The Bookseller on Whyte Avenue. or 780.496.9193

Mandolin Book & Coffee Co. on 112 Avenue. Mandolinbooks.com or 780-479-4050

Phone first to find out whether they accept the categories of books you have to sell.

*Coaching and Leadership International (CLI) resources: Find FREE self coaching resources, purchase CLI Values Cards, plus download a FreeValues app for your iPad, online at

Lynn Fraser with Balance Your World is a wholehearted coach and holistic decluttering mentor. She nurtures and supports seniors and their families to declutter and downsize in a holistic way. Contact Lynn for an in-your-home consultation at 780-465-9893 or visit her website at .