Clutter   Clutter is my name, and I bet you aren’t too happy to see me. Well, I just feel chatty... As you may be aware, I don’t appear all at once; I grow over a period of time. At first, you are hardly aware of me, or even if you are, you ignore me and promise yourself that you’ll deal with me later. I have this knack for multiplying. I spread across closets, shelves, tables, drawers, and cartons, weaving myself into your life and becoming a nuisance. I take up not only your space but a great deal of your time as you sift through me to find your keys or documents or whatever it is that you may be looking for. I ’m the eyesore that you so want to be rid of, but you procrastinate, and when the time comes to throw me out, I bring back a memory, or you remember how much I cost, or I am a gift, or you plan to wear me someday when the time is right. Then there are days when you declare war on me, and I’m either thrown out or packed for donation. Your busy sch...

  Understanding Minimalism: Decluttering for a Better Life   I confess I was not big on decluttering and hung on to stuff because I felt that at some point in time, I would need it or because of sentimental value. More recently, I started donating a few of my clothes that I’d hope I would fit into someday, but came to realise that, in all probability, that day would never dawn. The person I’ve donated the clothes to never fails to tell me how happy she is with them and the compliments that she receives. I feel so glad that I’ve made someone else happy. Someone said, “Happiness is a byproduct of making someone else happy.” I’ve started to work harder at disposing of stuff that simply occupies valuable space and feel good about it. It brings a sense of order and organisation into my life. I need to declutter in other aspects of my life.  Decluttering is a fundamental aspect of minimalism. A minimalistic lifestyle is when you consciously decide what you allow to stay i...

    As I sifted through the belongings of my deceased mother, I was struck with wonder and awe. Mom had always been a stickler for cleanliness, neatness and order but I had no clue that she was organized to such a degree. Bank documents, receipts and bills, keys, knitting needles, a stack of school report cards that belong to my brother and me, letters and old photographs all neatly packed and labelled and placed in boxes, envelopes and cupboards. I ought to hang my head in shame! Yes, I am trying hard to practice what I preach. This a beautiful legacy that she has left me. Why Should I Declutter? ·         Free, clean, decluttered spaces at home and work improve the quality of my life. Clutter leads to chaos, stress, procrastination and unproductivity. It interferes with my thought process and I just can’t give my best. ·         Both physical and digital clutter makes it harder to find things l...