Once again Jen Hoffman of inspiredhomeoffice.com finds away to point out that my bad habits (or piles of stuff on and around my desk) isn’t such a bad thing after all. Now that I’ve noticed it and gave some gratitude, any chance it can um…organize itself?
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Hidden allies, quirky printers, and half-finished projects
How the stuff around you is a sign of abundance
You have stuff.
Maybe you hate the way the printer works. Or the snarl of cords that lurk under your desk. Maybe it’s the massive accumulation of half-finished projects. Or papers that may have been important once, but now fill you with dread.
Sometimes it feels like your stuff has you.
Because of the negative feelings you have about some of the items in your workspace, you begin to resists the entire space. The whole enchilada. You feel cramped, uncomfortable, and it’s hard to get anything done.
Over time, you start to develop a barely-tolerable relationship with your space.
Renegotiate your relationship
If you are in a relationship with a person who nourishes you, you actively care for that relationship and give it your time and attention. You give back what he or she gives to you. You grow closer and feel loved and supported.
It’s the same way with your belongings.
If something you own feels unsupportive or draggy, it’s healthy for you to manage it so that it doesn’t affect you negatively – or you can simply let it go.
You have a right to a workspace that feels clear and inspiring.
Find gratitude for your stuff
While you may feel enslaved by stuff, in reality, you are swimming in abundance. Every object around you is like a friend, waiting to assist you, help you, or inspire you.
Even negative-feeling items around you are your devoted, if imperfect, servants.
That printer will print out anything you ask, at any time of day, in almost unlimited amounts. Could you possibly imagine asking a flesh-and-blood human to do the same?
That pile of books, if overwhelming, are a collection of teachers gathered together to inform and advise you.
The desk, though it looks out of control, it’s a sacred space dedicated to your work. This space helps you create, complete important projects, and is the altar from which your greatest gifts are offered.
What overflowing abundance you have, right in your very midst!
And your stuff will nourish you in return.
What thing in your space is most distracting to you right now? Take a moment to notice it.
It is serving you? What do you feel grateful for about this item?
Where would you like this item to go – so that you feel more clear and supported while you’re working? You might want to let it go entirely. You might want to put it somewhere out of sight. It’s up to you. Whatever you feel compelled to do, take that one action.
If you do this, one object at a time, you will feel clearer, lighter and will have practiced a profound kind of self care. And aren’t you worth it?
Warmly,
- Jennifer
Jennifer Hofmann was not born organized. In fact, her creativity and ADD meant she started projects she never finished, was surrounded by clutter, and struggled to keep up with everyday tasks. Today, Jennifer still isn’t the poster child for House Beautiful, but she understands people who struggle with clutter and overwhelm and offers unique solutions that help small businesses grow and thrive. If you’ve tried to get organized in the past and failed, you’re not alone. Jennifer’s approach helps small business owners discover their natural strengths and how to integrate them so that organizing becomes easy and enjoyable. Based in Salem, Oregon, Jennifer teaches teleclasses and coaches entrepreneurs – you can visit her at inspiredhomeoffice.com or follow her on Twitter: @inspiredjen
