1. Mess makes you less productive

Our brains like order, and constant visual reminders of disorganisation such as a messy desk or piles of paperwork on the kitchen bench drain our cognitive resources, reducing our ability to focus.

Visual distraction in the form of clutter sends our brain into overdrive and can reduce our ability to process information, but clearing clutter from our homes has proven to increase our ability to focus and be productive.

2. Clutter can affect your mental health

Most of us have a vague understanding that clutter makes us feel stressed, but now we have evidence to prove that it does actually stress us out. Scientists at the University of California have found that being surrounded by too many things increases the body’s level of the stress hormone cortisol, increasing susceptibility to depression, insomnia and anxiety. When reviewing the home environment of mothers, they discovered that cortisol was higher in mothers living in a cluttered environment.

In short, clutter induces a negative mindset, reduces motivation and diminishes happiness.

Clutter is proven to increasing susceptibility to depression, insomnia and anxiety.

3. Constant clutter can affect your physical health

If you’re living in a constantly messy environment you could be facing potential health problems. Living in an environment that is messy and cluttered can lead to your body producing a low-grade fight or flight response which could wreak havoc on your digestive and immune systems.

This is probably a good time to remind you that if you or someone you know is suffering from a hoarding disorder, visit our blog for Decluttering Tips for Hoarders for links and advice.

4. You’re probably wasting time

Time is precious. If there is anything this pandemic has taught us, it’s that we never know what is around the corner so we must use our time well. I think we can all agree that constantly tidying up a messy environment and searching for lost items is not the best use of your time.

On the other hand, living and working in an organised environment, where each item has a home, eliminates the need to search for lost items, and makes cleaning and all round living simpler.

Being organised gives time back to us.

Constantly tidying up and searching for lost items is not the best use of time

5. You’re probably not sleeping well

If you find yourself falling asleep more easily in a minimalist hotel or after a big spring clean, this is no coincidence. People who sleep in cluttered bedrooms are more likely to have sleeping problems, both in terms of falling asleep and waking up during the night. There is a lot to be said for tidying up before you go to bed – a clean floor will not only make the space feel calmer, but will aid in the ease of sleep.

The bonus of tidying up at night is that you will also set yourself up for the day ahead as you wake up to a clean room in the morning. Read Your Sleep Sanctuary Nighttime Rituals for more sleep support.

6. You might be losing opportunities

This might be my favourite reason to get organised. I can attest first hand that getting your life in order brings opportunities. With all the time you get back and reduced stress-levels, you’ll be the best version of yourself, and will be in a much better position to pursue your dreams, start that side hustle, train for that marathon, or even commit to finding your perfect match. Getting organised hunts down those opportunities and brings them to fruition.

If all this doom and gloom has sent you crawling under your desk, don’t worry, I have good news for you. Organisational psychology research shows that being organised triggers positive behaviors! Scientists have proven that living and working in organised environments encourages healthy eating choices and socially responsible habits, such as donating to charities.

In summary, organisation not only reduces stress and makes sleeping easier but also triggers positive, healthy behaviors. If that isn’t motivation enough to get tidy – I don’t know what is!

Need help?

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Of course, what sparks joy is unique to everyone, so every space tidied according to the KonMari method will look different. Some clients I have worked with have been left with empty rooms; for others, their space just looks more organised and calm.

This individuality is one element of my job which I love so much. When I arrive at a new client’s home, the outside can look like any other, but the interiors are always unique. 

What the KonMari Method is not?

The method does not ask you to throw out as many of your possessions as you possibly can. In the words of Marie Kondo, ‘Tidying is about what you want to keep in your life, not what you want to eliminate.’

KonMari does not ask you to throw out your possessions

What is minimalism?

Minimalism, as the name suggests, advocates for living with less – specifically less stuff – the theory being that the less meaning you attribute to your physical possessions, the more space you will have to find meaning in intangible things like your relationships, your passions, and your health.

According to The Minimalists, ‘minimalism is a tool to rid yourself of life’s excess in favour of focusing on what’s important – so you can find happiness, fulfilment, and freedom.’

Minimalism is undoubtedly more extreme than the KonMari method

Unlike the KonMari method, minimalism isn’t a precise method – it’s more of a lifestyle and one that is open to interpretation. What’s considered important won’t be the same for everyone – some minimalists find meaning in travel, others in giving back to society, and others focus on creative pursuits.

Minimalism is often undoubtedly more extreme than the KonMari method. Some minimalists may let go of objects which many of us find hard to do, such as photos, heirlooms, and sentimental items.

I am becoming increasingly drawn to minimalism 

By 2050,  there will be an additional 2.5 billion people in the world’s urban population

So which one is right for me, minimalism or the KonMari Method?

Even though I have never classified myself as a minimalist, and until recently was never particularly attracted to the idea, I now find myself increasingly drawn to minimalism.

Every time I do a quick once over in my home, generally at spring time or when moving, I find myself craving less. 

A big part of this shift in my thinking is that the more I study our use of the earth’s resources, the more I learn how unequal my share is. By 2050, the UN predicts that there will be an additional 2.5 billion people in the world’s urban population. The only way we can all live together harmoniously with the environment and each other is to live with less. 

I believe minimalism could bring us joy, sustainability and calm.

Read the 9 things Sally loves about here home sanctuary. 

So what do we know about Kondo’s new co-author Scott Sonenshein?

First, and unlike Kondo who focuses primarily on ‘joy’, Sonenshein is an advocate for ‘less’, not only in one’s physical space but mentally as well. His research has typically focused on the mindset of abundance and its dampening effects on creativity and resourcefulness. Put simply, Sonenshein believes having more resources won’t solve our problems and that we can all benefit from making the most out of little. 

Sonenshein’s first book Stretch defined the differences between a ‘stretching-mind’ and a ‘chasing-mind’. 

Stretchers embrace what they have, finding unconventional and productive ways to use resources already at hand. Chasers, by contrast, can’t see the possibilities before them—and they’re left wanting more to do more. 

He explains how a focus on the accumulation of more resources not only steers businesses and individuals away from their goals, it actually reduces their ability to be creative or to see future opportunities to build more sustainable, productive long term business careers and lives.

“When we have an abundance, it can actually stop us from being creative where we think we need a tool for everything. Children with too many toys can experience this. They might not look to making a pillow fort or hat with cardboard boxes when they have multiple play tents and an arts and crafts area stocked with brand new cardboard. There is no need for resourcefulness.”

SCOTT SONENSHEIN

Stretch vs Lean Start-Up

Elsewhere in the business world, a mindset of less is not necessarily new. Eric Ries’ Lean StartUp methodology, published in 2011, encouraged businesses to test and learn, using the markets as a resource for success rather than holding back until their product is ‘perfect’. This ‘go before you’re ready’ entrepreneur movement sounds risky, but it is not too dissimilar to Sonenshien’s ‘stretch’ mindset.

Meanwhile, the Agile Project Methodology, now taking pride of place in some of the world’s largest companies such as Spotify, Microsoft and AT&T, also encourages organisations to use what they have, for example, to cross-skill teams and pull together innovation squads with a mix of disciplines. Working in silos, with excessive teams and localised manpower is an outdated way of working. Organisations are turning to the staff, skills and, at times, the infrastructure they already have to run quicker to market. The days of waiting for the right budget, person or time is over. Less is more and using what we have is the new mindset.

So there you have it. I am really excited for this book!

Sonenshein’s concepts bring to mind the types of arguments we have seen for minimalism, that having additional ‘stuff’ absorbs our energy and distracts us from tasks that matter. It looks like he will bring a scientific mindset that has in some ways been lacking in the area of organisation. I hope Joy at Work will bring the value of ‘less’ in businesses and organisations to an individual level, and showcase ideas and solutions we can put into action in our everyday lives at work.

Learn about the Konmari Method, check out What is the KonMari Method & How To Use It & learn how to Sell Secondhand Clothes.

Moving? Be prepared, make sure you know the Moving 101. And while you are at it, read up on Selling Secondhand Clothes.

1. Make It About You

Personal goal setting must light something inside of you. Goals are the flames or embers that fuel your desires and dreams. It is vital that goals come from your idea of success, not anyone else’s.

Kayla Itsines’ daily workout definitely sounds like a great idea, but if you don’t have a burning ember inside you craving a six-pack and exceptional hamstrings… then reach for something more you. Such as increased exercise and weekly workouts.

2. Play Big

My grandmother used to always say, I wish I became a teacher; I wish I learnt to play the piano. For a woman who was raised in the depression, these are reasonable comments. But now we are living in the land of plenty. There is no better time to dream.

Even if close family and friends would laugh at the thought of your trying to achieve such a wild goal, write it down. In fact, sometimes goals you are afraid to share are most successful.

When Eleanor Roosevelt said “do something every day that scares you” she was right. Dare to dream, there will be no “I wish I hads” at your 90th!

“Do something every day that scares you”

3. Create A Why

Humans are more driven when we know why we are working for an outcome.  Simon Sinich, motivational speaker and author of five books, says ‘people don’t buy WHAT you do, they buy WHY you do it‘. And the same goes for our personal drivers, its not what you do, its why you do it.

In goal setting, there is a much higher chance of success when we can see the output connecting to the bigger picture, our values and internal drivers. 

Hence the importance of adding a why. 

For example, your goal might be to pay off your car. Which is a reasonable goal in itself, but to truly motivate you to increase the repayments and forgo other purchases such as holidays, winery weekends and nights out add a “so that”. 

Examples of goals with a why.

Goal: To Pay Off My Car

My 2020 goal is to pay off my car, so that….I no longer waste $1,000 on interest. 

My 2020 goal is to pay off my car so that….. I use the $1,000 saved on interest to help my little sister complete her TAFE course. 

My 2020 goal is to pay off my car so that…..I can give the $1,000 saved to subsidise my little sister’s education and support her to become financially independent.

POWERFUL  stuff huh!

Goal: To Organise My House

Let’s make one for your home sanctuary. First, get clear on why you are decluttering, visit KonMari Method 101 & read Get Clear at What is the KonMari Method for ideas, and then add your why.

My 2020 personal goal is to organise my home

My 2020 personal goal is to organise my home….so that we are not surrounded by mess and I feel more relaxed and calm.

My 2020 personal goal is to organise my home…so that we can are not surrounded by mess, reducing my anxiety and making me happier and more present with my family.

My 2020 personal goal is to organise my home…so that I reduce my anxiety and be a more present partner, parent and friend for those I love.

4. Make it measurable

Make sure your goals are measurable and achievable. Measurable meaning you have clearly defined what success looks like, ideally with a value such as time, financial incentive, self-satisfaction or some other success measure.

For example, say our goal is to buy a house

Make it achievable & break it down into bite-sized pieces. Such as;

• Investigate how much cash I would need for a deposit 
• Review my spending

Now make it measurable;

• Investigate how much cash I would need for a deposit by April
• Review my spending, and increase my savings to match deposit

I suggest checking in on your goals every few months to make sure you are on track.

5. Turn it into a reality

Okay, so I told you to “dare to dream”, now is time to convert it from a dream to a reality. Success coach Jen Sincero says to “trust Universal Intelligence over your fears, have faith that what you desire already exists, and leap like the mighty badass that you are”. 

Positive thoughts will bring positive action, and negative thoughts will bring negative actions. Universal Intelligence, Laws of Attraction, whatever you want to call you, keep your words, thoughts and actions in check.

You want to be an author – Envisage yourself at your book launch

You want to find a partner – Talk positively about the process

You want to lose 10kg – Close your eyes and sense how great your body will feel at your ideal weight

My business grew from focused goals with a passion to helps families lead fulfilling lives & support environment through less

There you have it, you are set for your most successful new year yet. And don’t forget, there is no time like the present.

Why stop there?! Check out Tips to Decluttering and Simplifying your Life & learn how to Sell Secondhand Clothes

Get More Done

Laura Vanderkam, author of Off the Clock: Feel Less Busy While Getting More Done and 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think , recommends we write next years performance review now. Many of us have big goals, I know I sure do, at 15 I listed ‘build and operate a big international company’ on my after high school to-do list (I know, ambitious kid). But why do so many of these goals go unfulfilled? Of course, some goals might be unrealistic, like building a seven-storeyed home in the Aussie bush, another goal of my 15-year-old self, but many can be achieved if we prioritise them.

“Time is elastic”

Laura Vanderkam

Vanderkam says that time is elastic, meaning that we will always find time for what we see as the most important. She recommends we replace, I don’t have time with it’s not a priority.

But how do you know what to prioritise?

In many ways prioritising is like decluttering a messy room. We often don’t know where to start, so it never gets done. After years of project management where I ran multiple streams of work with conflicting priorities (all while building a side hustle), I have learnt a few things about prioritising. Not just in my professional life, but my personal life as well.

Here are my key tips to make your new year the most organised and successful yet!

1. Organise Your Priorities

a) Write a list 20-40 life goals you have right now

Note: these will change through each stage of your life, so don’t worry if they looked different than they did a few years ago. Focus on where you are going, not where you have been.

b) Highlight those you want to achieve in 2020, ideally breaking them down into Career, Relationships and Personal categories.

If a big list goal is too broad to achieve in 12 months break it down into bite-sized chunks.

For example;

• Big Goal: Buy a beach house
• 2020 Goal: Create a Beach House savings plan, where I will put away 30% of my income saving around $____ by December 2020

or 

• Big Goal: Establish a strong network of friends in my new city
• 2020 Goal: Dedicate 2 hours per week to creating new connections through sporting clubs, social events or/and making an effort to follow up on meeting a new person.

c) Organise Your Energetic Timetable

Now that you have your 2020 goals set, let’s make sure you achieve them.

Take a look at your week and ask yourself when you have the most energy. Are you a morning or an afternoon person? Do you work well after dinner or at sunrise? Identify when you are most productive (or have the most enthusiasm for physical goals) and use it to your advantage.

It’s one thing to organise your priorities, it’s another to organise your energetic timetable to meet them.

I know I am most productive between 8:30am and 12:30pm. Therefore while it is tempting in the morning to clean up my inbox over a cup of coffee, or if I am at home tidy the kitchen, I am much better off using this time to work on my biggest goals.

The trouble is, when we have the most energy our senses are heightened, we feel alive and connected to our purpose. In this superwoman like state, it is tempting to get “a few things out of the way” or pick up a new activity. But veering off track will make those times of low energy even harder as you force yourself to complete the big goals.

2. Declutter and simplify

Using “spark joy” to declutter tasks might not work

Instead, I invite you to follow the advice of mindfulness guru Russ Harris, author of the Happiness Trap. For a fulfilling, happy life Harris suggests we get clear on our personal values and turn to those when we get off track or overcome with negative emotions.

In the business world, Harvard Professor Bill George refers to this as our True North. I believe we can use this philosophy for decluttering tasks as well. Having recently done this myself I can attest to its success.

We can use Marie Kondo’s notion of joy, decluttering all tasks that don’t give us joy….but that might mean we declutter cleaning, ironing, mowing the back yard..essentially anything that is not a pleasant activity.

This New Year clarifying your personal values will help you to define what joy truly means to you, and assist in decluttering those activities adding no value, freeing space for your big goals.

Want more ideas on happiness, have you heard of Hygge, read our blog on the art of the worlds happiest people??

2. Organise

Before you jet off, there will be multiple To Dos, from arranging pet-sitting, to booking tours, hire cars or hotels.

I recommend doing all of the above as soon as possible once you have booked your travel. If you can’t get onto it straight away, write a list and get them done as soon you can. Not only will you feel more prepared (and therefore more relaxed!) but you’ll likely save a bit of cash on tours and accommodation by booking early.

If you are looking for the best time to sit and complete the list, I recommend a Friday night. Time management expert Laura Vanderkam tells us that Fridays are the best day of the week for planning.

3. Pack

Most people hate doing it, but it must inevitably get done. With the right tools in place, however, packing can be quick, easy, and yes, even fun!

Click HERE to download your free travel checklist. 

Watch how Sallly packs for a weekender

our expert packing tips…..

Want to learn how to fold clothes for suitcase like Marie Kondo? We got you covered….watch these

How To Fold T-shirts

How To Fold Undies

I hope these three tips make it a little easier for you to start planning your dream holiday, whether that’s hiking through the bush, taking a guided tour of Tuscany, or simply soaking up rays cocktail in hand.

And remember a holiday is defined as “an extended period of leisure and recreation”, so let’s keep it that way. For more ideas, check out Tips to Get Your Home Organised For The Holidays.

For stay-cation holiday tips, check out The Art of Hygge: From The World’s Happiest People

The TripIt app is available for iOS (including Apple Watch) and Android (including Android Wear). TripIt is also accessible from any device with a web browser.

1. Understand Why You are Decluttering

We don’t book a holiday without first deciding where we are going. Nor do we book accommodation before deciding on what type of holiday we are craving; beachside lux, mountain adventure or city escape?! The same goes home sanctuary making.

Before you start get clear on the purpose. Take a moment to clarify how you want your home to feel and function.

Sally recommends taking a moment to understand why we are decluttering before starting.

Do you want to save time looking for things? Do you want space for new hobbies? Do you want the kids to be able to put away their toys? How about creating a reading room, a quiet space or an art area? Maybe you want to be able to host at a moment’s notice? Whatever it is focus on that, this is your new mantra. You will need to come back to it every time you get stuck (and you will get stuck).

2. Clarify who is responsible for what

In the KonMari Method we declutter only what belongs to us and what we are responsible for. Which means as much as you want to throw out your hubby’s bike trainer that you trip over every time you walk through the shed (the one he hasn’t used in 7 years) you can’t. That is his. You can ask him (in a kind tone), why it is important to him, maybe more important than a clear path to the door, but you can’t throw it out.

“For communal items like gifts, kitchenware & furniture, it’s important to decide on who is responsible for what”

This also means for those communal items like gifts, kitchenware & furniture, you need to decide on who is responsible for what. This will not only make it quicker as you zoom around making your home a sanctuary, but it will also save arguments later. Remember you are creating mindful homes, not domestic arguments. If you agree an item is shared, great! Then declutter it together and respect each other’s wishes.

3. Declutter by category

If you take away only one thing from this article, this is it. DO NOT DECLUTTER BY ROOM. As tempting as it is to open the hall cupboard and jump right in… don’t. Before my KonMari training, I did this all the time. Open a draw and organise. 50mins later I was tired, cranky and unsure where things should go.

When we declutter by room, or by drawer, we miss the opportunity to see a clear picture of what we own. We also force our brains into overdrive; it is too much to ask ourselves to make multiple decisions on multiple objects. Decluttering by category will improve your decision making efficiency, speeding up the whole process.

4. Only keep what “sparks joy”

Deciding what to keep through this decluttering journey is easy; it must “spark joy”. Every item you keep must make you feel good when you wear it, proud when you display it, jog a happy memory when you hold it or serve a purpose. If you get stuck, come back to your new mantra…does that item fall in line with how you want your home to feel and function? If it doesn’t then you can let it go with confidence.

5. Thank what you discard

“Thank you”, two little words my clients hear me say over and over. Thanking an item before discarding is one of the most humbling parts of the KonMari Method. Not only does it force us to verbally express gratitude, a proven technique to increase happiness levels, but it forces us to see objects as more than “stuff”. We are living in a consumer-driven society, encouraged to buy more with little consideration of the discard. The KonMari Method asks us to stop before we throw away and give thanks for all the items we have been so lucky acquire.

6. Resell, repurpose and recycle

Sustainability is key to Home Sanctuary’s ethos, many unwanted things can be resold or recycled. The Garage Sale Trail is the perfect way to reduce your environmental footprint after a declutter.

Sign up to this annual event give your decluttered items a new home. Check out our blog on Selling Secondhand Clothes.

Sally wearing the “Trailblazer Jacket”, as a 2019 Garage Sale Trail Ambassador 

What to learn more?

Visit our interview with Broadsheet, on How To Spring Clean Your House.

For decluttering tips, visit our blog on Tips For Downsizing.

Check out our Three Quick Tips For Stress-Free Holiday Planning with BONUS TRAVEL CHECKLIST

Sally mid wardrobe change-over

For nine months of the year, however, my beloved coat collection sits idle. In fact, if I am lucky I will only get three Melbourne days cold enough to wear my Boston overcoat. And with increasing rent prices and diminishing wardrobe space in our ‘most livable city’, I am forced to store them away.

Just like Marie Kondo welcomes a home, I welcome back each item like an old friend, carefully placing them back into pride of place in my wardrobe and in doing so, marking and celebrating the changing of the seasons.

Yes, despite what Marie Kondo says, I cannot keep my winter outerwear in my wardrobe all year round – it’s just not physically possible. Which is why, twice a year, I ‘turn over my wardrobe’. And I love it.

It has become a beloved tradition of mine. Every May and September I put aside an afternoon to pull a trunk out from storage full of my favourite winter (or summer) items and transform my closet into a gallery of burgundy and navy knits, (or florals and flowy satin).

Just like Marie Kondo welcomes a home, I welcome back each item like an old friend, carefully placing them back into pride of place in my wardrobe and in doing so, marking and celebrating the changing of the seasons.