"Picture's worth a thousand words"! This week's post is a favorite from last year...it's the one people ask me about when I run into them at the grocery store, and a fabulous lesson I learned from my mentor. So, to all of the fabulous recent subscribers: Enjoy! 

I had a teensy internal struggle this week with my neighbor’s garbage being left in the apartment hallway for a couple of days, (near our door, too). Ahem, it was interfering with the energy!!! :) And then, another neighbor thought it was a good idea...really???? What if everyone left their garbage in the hallway? I was fuming and it was only getting worse.

And then in a PLOT TWIST, I was Grateful! And Inspired! because I needed the reminder, for myself, my clients, and to get the word out to anyone who will listen!

Every day, many, many times, we are given an opportunity to complete a task. And when I say complete a task, I mean ALL THE WAY, Close the Circle. 

It’s a habit and a practice. And it is powerful.

This type of “circle” applies to ANYTHING and EVERYTHING in our lives! 

Here are a few examples: 

• Laundry: Collect the Laundry--Wash--Dry--Fold--Put away
  
  
• Dishes: Take out bowl/spoon--Eat soup--Wash bowl/spoon--Return them to the cupboard
  
  
• Work: Take out pertinent files--Take action--Replace files
  
  
• Yoga: Pack a bag--Enjoy practice--Come home--Unpack bag--Put everything away
  
  
• Mail: Bring it in--Stand at the recycle bin and toss--Attend to or file important mail
  
  
• Tools: Get them out--Fix something, or Do the project--Clean up--Put them away
  
  
• Creative Projects: Take out the yarn and needles :)--Work on project--Put them away
  
  

(There are many, many more to add to the list, these are just a few to get you thinking…)

Usually it is the last step (Put Away) that is left undone.

And then ALL of the undone circles in your space start to multiply; they take on a life of their own!

And that’s when we begin to feel any or all of these consequences:

• Anxiety
  
  
• Stress
  
  
• Loss of Control
  
  
• Extra Weight
  
  
• Tired
  
  
• Sad
  
  
• Stuck
  
  
• Lethargic
  
  
• Embarrassed 
  
  
• Stomach ache
  
  
• Headache
  
  

(I probably don’t need to continue...get the picture?)

NOT closing the circles in your life causes the stagnant energy in your home to grow. 

If the things you own do not have a home, then there will be overflow.  

Overflow ALWAYS interferes with the final “put away” step. How can you put things away if there is no room for them? 

Things are left out, projects are not completed, AND there is a cost to your health, wealth, and happiness.

Here’s where ruthless editing and organizing comes in...

• Edit your space, make a place for everything, and practice. Just like anything, it takes time to build the muscle! 
  
  
• Release the things that do not bring you joy!!!!! 
  
  
• Once you create a home full of your prized possessions, you will find that closing circles will be much easier. 
  
  
• Feel the magic that comes from doing this work.
  
  

The benefits are many! I see it ALL of the time. 

I would love to help you create a home that matches your beautiful, sparkling self! Please let me know how I can help. And as always, I LOVE hearing from you! Feel free to drop me a message either in the comments below, on my website, or heck, just pick up the phone and give me a call! (608)-235-9023

Lots of hugs, 

(And Closed Circles)

OOOOOOO

Jane

I’m thrilled to see that Marie Kondo, author of #1 NY Times Best-seller: the life-changing magic of tidying up is considered one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people! Her unique method considers items by category instead of by space, offers detailed folding techniques for clothes and ceremonious good-byes to items leaving your home. As Jamie Lee Curtis, Time Magazine author, says of the book,  "...it’s a literal how-to-heave-ho, and I recommend it for anyone who struggles with the material excess of living in a privileged society. (Thanks to Ms. Kondo, I kiss my old socks goodbye.)"

Here’s why I REALLY love Marie (because to me, her method is a tad rigid :))

Her work has brought attention to our modern-day, 1st world problem: TOO MUCH STUFF!

All of the recognition (the #1 selling book, the Time Magazine honor + a gigantic social media buzz) has given the masses permission to hire some help!

On a regular basis people hire:

• housekeepers
  
  
• accountants
  
  
• mechanics
  
  
• babysitters
  
  
• dog walkers
  
  
• painters
  
  
• carpenters
  
  
• plumbers
  
  
• electricians
  
  
• lawn care specialists
  
  
• landscapers
  
  
• therapists
  
  
• health coaches
  
  
• acupuncturists
  
  
• massage therapists
  
  
• skin care experts
  
  
• chiropractors
  
  
• personal trainers
  
  
• designers
  
  
• life coaches
  
  

Hiring someone for support as you wade and weed through your crap has not yet become part of this fairly standard list.

My thoughts as to why:

Not YET considered socially acceptable--The hell with that! Get help where you need it and you will be amazed at how far you can fly. Plus you will positively shimmer and dance with delight when your stuff is out of your hair and your life cracks WIDE open!

Guilt and/or Shame-- “I should be able to do this by myself” Every single person I work with feels this way, it’s usually an ingrained, very old pattern that has been passed along from other generations, the days when life was slower, and self-sufficiency was paramount. I don’t change my own oil and I don’t do my own taxes and I don’t feel one bit guilty about it--other people need jobs, too!

Life just got FAST-- While we weren’t looking: raising kids, working a stressful job(s), going to school, getting divorced, marrying, moving to a new home, death in the family, birth, an empty nest...the brilliant marketers (Barry, Kerstin, you know who you are!) were very busy doing their jobs. This is a modern day problem...we’re accumulating faster than we’re letting go and just haven’t had time to consider what to do about it!

Marie Kondo is making incredible inroads into our American society, busting shame and making it OK to ask for support to work through the snowdrifts of paper and tangles of clothing that keep us playing small, keep us from shining our light and joy to the world.

If conquering your clutter and saying good-bye to chaos in your space has been on your list for awhile, give me a call, let’s talk. I can help you!

Lots of love,

XXOO

Jane

PHOTO CREDIT:time.com