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It's About Time
Ruth Wong
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Cleaning up home, office brings joy
As the year quickly draws to a close, I'm reminded of the Japanese tradition of clearing out and cleaning up for the New Year.
Their belief is that whatever clutter or burdens we bring into the New Year will remain with us all year. While I'm not too sure about the truth of that theory, I think, "Who couldn't benefit from clearing out and cleaning up our homes, offices and lives?"
The term "burden" is interesting. The dictionary defines it as "something carried; a load (of things, care, work, duty or sorrow)." Synonyms include "heavy load, millstone, weight, hardship."
Whether it's physical clutter that needs to be cleared out, project clutter that needs to be worked on and completed, or emotional clutter that needs to be dealt and dispensed with, they can indeed be "burdens."
Lately I've heard from too many people who had put off decluttering and now, faced with an emergency, are forced to deal with this burden.
One case involved the emergency illness of a family member which necessitated rushed, gut-wrenching clearing of the house to accommodate nursing help. Another case involved being diagnosed with a medical condition which resulted in good days and bad days, when the ability to deal with everyday tasks and clutter had become burdensome. Still another involved the necessity to quickly vacate an apartment. Dealing with clutter was truly a stressful burden.
Likewise, office clutter can be a burden - a mental weight and hardship in getting work done.
The same is true for unfinished tasks and projects. Left undone too long, they become burdensome in thought and energy.
One word I hear from clients who begin dealing with their unfinished projects is "Relief"; the word I hear most from those who declutter and let go of their unneededs is "Freedom!"
What clutter or burdens have you been carrying? Are there tasks and projects you've been meaning to start or complete?
There's still time before the end of the year, and as we all work better with a deadline, I encourage you to identify what your main burdens are - at work and home. Then start now to clear out and clean up.
Just imagine how good it will feel to experience Freedom and Relief! And you'll be ready for all the new things the upcoming year will bring!
Happy unburdening!
See you in two weeks!
"It's About Time," by
Ruth Wong, owner of Organization Plus, runs the fourth Friday of each month. Contact her at "It's About Time," care of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu 96813; or e-mail
features@starbulletin.com