A Cluttered Interior

"A cluttered physical interior is a sign of a cluttered mental interior. It keeps us from dreaming about who we want to be or could be.  It's simply proof of what we were. Look around you. Does your home make room for the new or the old you? Is there space to evolve - to dream? Or is it a graveyard of things that remind you  that your home really doesn't nurture you as it should?"
~ Christopher Lowell

Christopher Lowell's quote reminds me of the impact of clutter, not only externally but internally.The Vietnam Veterans of America are coming tomorrow to pick up donations. We've been collecting boxes in the dining room for two weeks in preparation and there is a great feeling about proactively getting rid of clutter and simultaneously helping an organization we believe in. 
 
When I was in high school I had an art teacher who explained the value of negative space. The value of a vase or bowl is in the internal space that allows us to fill it. A beautiful object needed space to be visible. She would set up a still life and have us outline only the negative space. Eventually the focus would be on the objects but initially she showed us the value of being able to see around them so that they were highlighted. Any treasured object becomes invisible when there is too much going on around it. Museums and galleries give objects space so we can actually see and enjoy them. 

"Clutter is to our home as cholesterol is to our arteries." 
​From Sink Reflections, Marla Cilley

Marla Cilley uses cholesterol as a metaphor for clutter in the home to describe its impact. These are a few examples in her list of 25. 

• Clutter invades the pathways of our homes
• Clutter causes stress in your life
• Clutter decreases joy in living
• Clutter pushes money away from you
• Clutter destroys closeness in families
• Clutter is a result in overindulging in stuff
• Clutter causes hearts to harden

Marla, also known as F.L.Y. Lady, has an excellent program for decluttering and organizing. Her tips for conquering CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome) are practical and doable, and her approach is light and humorous! 

I've gone through each room, closet and storage area, gathering everything I no longer use or need, and tomorrow we'll move everything to the porch to be picked up!

Call 1-800-775-VETS (8387) if you'd like to declutter and donate to a great organization! It's a win/win for everyone!
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