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What is the next big thing with the less-is-more attitude?
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Originally Published January 24, 2005 -- Your
Wellness Guide
Simple
Living -- New Tools and Trends
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For additional
simplify-your-life ideas:
Multitasking, Improve Your Focus
Unpack Your Life,
Enjoy Life's Simple Luxuries and Less Stress
Reduce
Weeknight Mealtime Stress
The Simple
Life: Trend Bodes Well For Change
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Two
years ago, the idea of simple living went gangbusters. It received
a lot of media attention, including the launch of new magazines like
Real Simple, Chic Simple, Organic Style, and Budget
Living. Since then, more magazines, an onslaught of newspaper
articles, and do-it-yourself TV shows have taken this concept by
storm. But is it really just as big now as back then? What is the
next big thing with the “less-is-more” attitude? |
Organizing Goes Mainstream
Seen as a simplify-your-life tool, organizing your belongings and
your life is growing stronger than ever before, both in a
proliferation of space-saving products at retail and in individual
or business client services. “Professional organizers are the
newest personal trainer,” says Cynthia Ivie, president of
White Space in Chicago. “Five years ago, it was only the
wealthy who got help, but now everyone understands that they need
assistance in defining priorities, simplifying life, creating flow,
and letting go of clutter.”
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California-based Organizer Bill West's before
and after pictures of garage organizing.
Garage organization is currently a big trend. |
Barry Izsak,
author of
Organize Your Garage in No Time and
president of the
National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO),
says that the organizing industry is born out of need, and those
professionals serving that need have grown exponentially. In 1985, there
were five NAPO members. In 1998, membership reached 1000; 2003 grew to
2000; and in 2004, there were 3000 members.
There is also
a rising distinction between professional organizers who customize their
service to clients versus some organizing companies that use a pre-defined
system to organize everyone the same way. Says Izsak, “[Professional
organizers] teach organizing skills, create a system that works for [each
client], and then tailor the system to [the client].”
Slower
is Better -- Focus
Ivie says that there is also a new movement called “Slower is better.” This
requires that people take a look at what is actually causing discomfort,
stress, and pulling you in many directions -- then, slowing down so that you
don’t miss so much of life. “It’s both time and environment management,”
says Ivie. |
Debra Lund from
FranklinCovey says that focusing on each project at hand, versus
multi-tasking, is a new trend. “If you want to have some peace in your life so
that you’re not in a crazy state all the time, really try planning and take the
time to ask what is important.”
She says there are
three areas where business people can slow down and gain control to avoid what
she calls an “urgency addiction.” The first area is in managing your e-mail by
scheduling specific times to view and respond. Second is meetings -- make sure
your company allows lower-level employees to control their time and acceptance
of meetings. And third, take the time needed for daily and weekly planning,
both as an individual and team.
Letting Stuff Go
If there is one need that doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon it is to be
able to let go of and clean out your stuff. Sometimes it seems papers, clothes,
toys, and other things multiply overnight. Again, hiring a de-cluttering expert
to sort and clean out your clutter can be beneficial. And being organized
doesn’t mean you don’t have clutter.
Jennifer Humes,
host of a new DVD called
Laundry Lessons,
says “The older generation has a harder time letting go of things, even if the
stuff is not even being used and has no purpose. While being in control is
important, keeping things does not keep you in control.”
Simplify Your Joy
While tangible objects and schedules are more visible areas, emotional and
mental de-cluttering and simplifying are also important.
Unclutter Your Life Author Katherine Gibson
says there is a trend in discerning what is behind your busyness, complicated
life, and clutter in order to tap into emotional freedom and happiness. “It’s
about choosing to surround yourself with the things and thoughts that bring joy
to your life.” This is also part of many Feng Shui principles.
Terra
Wellington
is a
national authority on creating a wellness lifestyle.
www.terrawellington.com
© Copyright Terra
Wellington
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