One morning last week I found myself annoyed because of household items that family members had not put away. Like the empty beverage container that at least was not put back in the refrigerator (yay, tiny victory!) but was instead left out on the counter. I was annoyed because the offender seemingly could not be bothered to take five extra seconds to rinse out the container (or not) and walk the extra 20 steps to put it with the other recyclables. And then there was the vacuum that was placed in front of the cellar door in the kitchen the night before once vacuuming had commenced instead of in the mud room closet where it resides when not in use. I spent several minutes being bitter about these items and threw a royal pity party for myself.  “How can I be expected to clean up after myself, two children and an adult husband?!?!.” I said loudly in my head. “Yes, I don’t always pick up after myself either but at least I keep my things out of common areas and only clutter up my personal areas,” I convinced myself. Then I meditated, poured some coffee and went upstairs to the bathroom (a common area) to get ready for the day where I found THREE items that I had left lying around. 1. A large soap container that I had used to refill the shower soap container a few weeks prior.  The home for this container is literally two steps away from where I left it sitting on the floor. 2. My dirty laundry was on the floor. And  3. A clean pair of yoga pants I had folded the night before (yay, tiny victory!) but left on top of the washing machine instead of walking 15 steps to my dresser where the pants belong.

I quickly realized that I did not keep my things tidy in the common areas like I had convinced myself earlier. And I realized that I needed to focus on putting away my things instead of focusing on what other people were not putting away. As soon as I chose a better perspective as discussed in Optimal Health 103:  Stress Management, the bitter, stressful feelings I had been nurturing that morning completely disappeared! And the next time I find myself ruminating about items left lying around by others I will change my attitude (as soon as I remember an attitude adjustment is needed J) and start picking up everything that I have neglected. I can only promote change and household calmness (i.e. lack of clutter = decreased household stress) by focusing on myself and continuing to work on being a tidier person. I will lead by example instead of judging…one clutter pile at a time.

11 Tips To Eliminate Your Daily Stress Clear Your Clutter With Feng Shui  I read this book many years ago and it had a profound effect on my outlook towards belongings that were holding me back from having the home that I wanted.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up:  The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing I have not read this book but it is currently all the rage and from what I have heard, the message is similar to Clear Your Clutter… Be well and love the earth,

Grace