Resources for participants in the summer 2023 series
“What legacy do you want to leave?”
Clutter and “stuff” didn’t pile up overnight.
It won’t go away in a day.
Tackle a little project to allow yourself to succeed.
Let’s acknowledge that clutter—even “good” clutter—adds stress to our lives.
God desires that we live fulfilled—not stress-filled—lives.
Let’s forgive ourselves.
“Begin with the end in mind.” – Franklin Covey
“Perfectly Youself: Discovering God’s Dream for You” - Matthew Kelly • 2017 Blue Sparrow Books / Random House
7 Unnecessary Causes of Stress (clutter is one of them!) - Healthline • September 22, 2014
The Freeing Grace of Forgiveness - Presbyterian Church (USA)
Why ‘Tidying Up’ Like Marie Kondo Is Good for Your Health—and Wallet - Healthline January 30, 2019
Brain ‘Clutter’: What It Is and How It Can Impact Memory as You Age - Healthline • February 15, 2022
Your Cluttered Home Is Stressing You Out More Than You Realize, According to a New Study (Plus What to Do About It) – Katie Katie Holdefehr - Real Simple • January 11, 2019
Why We Hold On to Things (summary). Transcript - NPR “Hidden Brain” • May 1, 2023
GET INSPIRED
WATCH: George Carlin Talks About “Stuff” • Comic Relief • 1986
LISTEN: “We Fall Down, But We Get Up” – singer Donnie McClurkin • 32nd Annual DOVE Awards performance • May 25, 2021
Roz Chast • The New Yorker
Roz Chast • The New Yorker
“What is preventing you from x?”
People say “don’t sweat the small stuff.”
But often it’s the little things that stand in our way.
What’s keeping us from achieving?
What can we learn about ourselves and our behaviors?
We ask God for vision and guidance.
How to Get Healthier Dopamine Highs - TIME Magazine • March 7, 2022
Why We Buy Things We Don't Need - TIME Magazine • November 21, 2022
The Many Mental Benefits of Decluttering – Diane Roberts Stoler Ed.D. – Psychology Today • February 15, 2023
5 Tips to Help You Set Better Goals - Psychology Today • January 13, 2023
18 Things You Need to Stop Doing if You Want to Be Successful - INC Magazine • May 18, 2015
8 Ways to Truly Enjoy the Little Things - healthline August 22, 2020
7 Ways to Simplify Your Life - Harold D. Herring
GET INSPIRED
READ: A Guide to Getting Rid of Almost Everything (a humorous view) - The New Yorker • February 21, 2022
WATCH: Is Clutter Having a Comeback? – Whoopi Goldberg hosting on The View • March 9, 2023
WATCH: Atsuko Okatsuka: “Where are you on the scale of messiness?” (must be Facebook member to view)
Anna Haifischm • The New Yorker
Bizarro Studios
“What kind of “keeper” are you?”
What are our “touchy” areas?
What matters to us, but maybe less to others?
How can we honor the intent or meaning of things without letting them take over our lives?
Can we use space more purposefully … perhaps letting God come in and occupy it?
Decluttering defined: Why this term can be offensive, and what it actually means - Organized By Heart • December 3, 2019
How To Conquer The Emotions Preventing You From Decluttering- It’s My Favorite Day • [undated]
How to Tell if Your Love of Stuff Has Gone Too Far: Experts explain why we can get so emotionally attached to things — and when it becomes problematic - Sydney Baker, Good Housekeeping • November 5, 2022
How to Deal With Emotionally Difficult Clutter, According to an Organizing Pro; ask yourself these questions– Katie Holdefehr - Real Simple • July 27, 2018
KonMari and Emotions: Decluttering Is Intense and Emotional - Christine Thorn, Tidy Lifestyle • July 26, 2019
Techniques for Decluttering Without Emotion (When You’re an Emotional Person) - Brittney Morgan, Apartment Therapy • November 9, 2016
Don’t Just Declutter, De-own – Joshua Becker – Becoming Minimalist • [undated]
WATCH: Jerry Seinfeld: Too many things – The Tonight Show • December 24, 2014 [start at 1:15]
WATCH: “The One With the Secret Closet” – Friends • Season 8, Episode 14
LISTEN: “Celebrate Me Home” - Kenny Loggins, 1977
The former office of someone you know
Kaye Rishad, VOX • October 21, 2020
“How will you simplify?”
In aviation terms, we’ve just completed ground school.
Now it’s time to fly.
We still need lots of support; it takes a while to solo!
Try different approaches and see what works best.
God is with us as we explore, sort, repurpose and give.
”Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.”
DECLUTTER ACCORDING TO YOUR PERSONALITY
The best way to declutter based on your personality type - Rosie Stagg, House Beautiful • September 26, 2022
Clutterbug — Discover Your organizing style. Which of these four types are you? Knowing this will help you start reorganizing your household in a way that makes sense to you! Are you a ladybug? A butterfly? A cricket? Or a bee? Take the test!
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REFRAME THE SITUATION
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TRENDING DECLUTTER PROGRAMS
Swedish Death Cleaning: What to Know About This Decluttering Strategy – Family Handyman • June 9, 2023
How I Used the Marie Kondo Method to Tidy Up My House – Jessica Camerata – An Indigo Day • [undated]
WATCH: Tidying Up with Marie Kondo • Netflix
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DRASTIC MEASURES
The 'Move-Out Method' of Organizing Is for Anyone Who Desperately Needs to Declutter – Katie Holdefehr - Real Simple • March 3, 2023
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BABY STEPS
The 'Ski Slope Method' of Organizing Is for Anyone Who Feels Overwhelmed by Clutter – Katie Holdefehr - Real Simple • December 6, 2022
How the 20/20 Rule Helped Me Declutter My Messy Life - Lisa Galek, Apartment Therapy • May 21, 2023
8 Easy Steps to a More Organized Home / Even small efforts to declutter can lead to tidier spaces - Melissa Locker, AARP • January 12, 2023
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ROUTINES
What to Declutter Every Week, Every Month, and Every Year: Consistent decluttering here and there makes for a much less overwhelming spring cleaning. – Amanda Lauren – Real Simple • January 17, 2023
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REPURPOSING
25 Ways to Repurpose Your Loved One’s Clothing and Personal Effects – Everlasting Memories
Creative ways of using your loved one’s things – Empathy
4 Great Ways to Declutter and Give Joy to Others – Jessalynn Jones – The Simplicity Habit • [undated]
14 Ideas for Saving Your Favorite Cards and Letters – Melissa Woo – Hallmark • June 8, 2020
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SPECIAL CHALLENGES
How to Declutter Your Bookshelves and Organize Your Books – BiblioLifestyle • [undated]
How to Finally Let Go Of “What-if-I-Need-it-Clutter” – AD – Andrea Decker • March 23, 2022
Tips for Decluttering Items From Hobbies You No Longer Do – From Overwhelmed to Organized • October 20 2016
13 Guilt-free Tips: How to get rid of Sentimental Clutter – Ema Hidlebaugh – Minimize My Mess • [undated]
The Psychology Of Sentimental Items And How To Let Go Of Them – Rosie Leizrowice – Huffington Post • March 16, 2017
How You Can Declutter Sentimental Items Without Feeling Guilty – Audrey – Just An Organized House • July 18, 2022
How to Declutter Sentimental Items: 20 Tips to Let Go Easier – Marissa – A to Zen Life • December 9, 2021
Simplifying: How to Get Your Grown Kids’ Things Out of the House – Jeanne Taylor – Howzz • August 13, 2017
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MAKE PLANS
How to organize your home in 2023 – Fadeke Adegbuyi – Todoist READ THE ARTICLE ONLY; THE CHECKLISTS ARE NOT USER-FRIENDLY
DOWNLOAD: A to Zen Declutter Checklist
DOWNLOAD: 50 Days to Simplify Your Home Checklist – Moments a Day
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GET INSPIRED
LISTEN: ”You’re the Biggest Part of Me” – Take 6 • Recorded live in Japan • 2002
LISTEN: “Get On Your Feet” - Gloria Estefan, 1988