Women’s Circle Newsletter
awomenscircle@yahoo.com
P.O. Box 110998  Aurora, CO. 80042

303-343-4114
Reaching out each month in joy and
sisterhood to keep us connected as we circle together as women

Andrea Lord
President, Alpha Institute
Women’s Circle Facilitator
Reiki Practitioner

Rachel Lord RN, CMT
Women’s Circle Facilitator
Master Herbalist

SPRING CLEANSING -DE-CLUTTER or THE GREAT CUT-LOOSE

(One Drawer at a Time)

Yuch!

THE ENERGY OF SPRING AND RENEWAL provides us with an  opportunity to  clean up our acts on a mental, spiritual and physical level. Sometimes, when we are confused, can’t “think straight” or unable to “get the answer”, the easiest place to start is with the physical.  By the simple act of cleaning out a drawer or a closet, we clean the cobwebs out of our minds and spirits as well.

THE WORST THAT CAN HAPPEN is that we have a neat living space.  Next is that we’ve gone through our stuff and recycled or passed on what no longer serves us. And maybe, just maybe, that simple act will spill over into other parts of our lives. No matter if you are in the “sloppy” category or the proverbial “pack rat”.  There is hope.

SOME RELATIVELY PAINLESS DE-CLUTTER TIPS

• The Small Chunk Method.  Take 15 minutes to go through just one shelf, and when that is done, celebrate your victory. Then tackle another for 15 minutes the next day. Conquering an entire closet or room can be overwhelming, and you might put it off forever. If that’s the case, just do it in baby steps.
• The Longer Method. This may seem contradictory to the above tip … and it is. It’s simply a different strategy so choose whatever works for you. Sometimes setting aside part of a morning, or an entire Saturday morning to declutter a closet or room is a good approach.  Do it all at once, and when  done, it feels awesome.
• The One-At-A-Time Rule.  Whichever of the two above strategies you choose, focus on one area at a time. Empty and clean. Sort your pile (see next tip), and put back only what is worth keeping. Then tackle the next shelf or drawer.
• Decision Making: Trust your first impulse, Be quick. Sort through your pile, one item at a time. Have a trash bag and a give-away box handy. Pick up an item, make a decision: trash, give away, or keep. No wavering, no putting it back!  Do this with the entire pile and be brave.  Put back only what’s worth it. Arrange nicely.
• The “One-Year Rule”. If you haven’t used it in the last year, let it go. And if you know (be honest) you won’t use it next year, get rid of it.  Be merciless.  Simple as that. You may be a collector for a “rainy day” but the truth is, you won’t ever use most of the junk you’ve accumulated. Toss, if it’s unsalvageable;  give away, if it’s worth it.
• The Paper Pile: Shred or toss unless it’s important. Magazines, catalogues, junk mail, that workshop you never took, notes to yourself or from others, old work stuff …begone! The only exception is with tax-related items, which should be kept for seven years. Other important documents like warranties, birth, death and marriage certificates, insurance, wills need their own filing. But you’ll know those when you see ‘em.
• The “Maybe Box.”  We hate to say it, but if you’re really are on the fence, put it in the “Maybe box”.  Close, date, label and store (garage, attic, closet) out of sight.  Pull it out after six months or a year. The key is not to leave it there for years.  Most likely, you’ve never even missed it. Decision made.
• Prevention.   Stop clutter from accumulating in the first place. (This could involve a change of habit.)  Maybe you need a place for things you do want and a regular cut-loose system to prevent overload.  The deeper “reasons” for “holding on” to things may involve security issues, for instance.  This is a topic to possibly meditate on as  you declutter.
• Celebrate Yourself!  ♫ This is actually a general rule in life: celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small. Even if you just decluttered one drawer, that’s great. Treat yourself to something special. Open that drawer and admire its simplicity. Breathe deeply and know that you’ve done a good thing. Bask in your peacefulness.

Namasté

Events Calendar:
Sunday April 6th, 2008 1-4pm
CIRCLING: USING WOMEN’S POWER FOR TRANSFORMATION & GROWTH
Isis Books & Gifts
2775 S. Broadway, Englewood CO.*note New Location

To Register & get directions because they have moved.
Call Isis at 303-321-0867 (Pre-registration required)

There will also be other Women’s Activities and Circles throughout the year.  Stay posted.
If you have stories, information and would like to share bits of your journey with us,
we want to hear from you. If you get an idea send it out to awomenscircle@yahoo.com