This week, I received a letter from a GON reader. It touched my heart and inspired me to
focus on it in today's newsletter. Here is the letter:
I agree with you that clutter can cause stress. But the opposite can also happen--stress can cause clutter. My husband had a heart attack October 4, leading to bypass surgery October 13.
Between spending time in hospitals and rehab in a nursing homes before he returned home just before Thanksgiving, I didn't have a lot of energy to keep some of the clutter (especially paperwork) from piling up.
Then we both developed positive (although mild) cases of Covid. I wasn't perfect before this happened, but it's going to take me a while to work on getting the clutter back under control.
--Kathleen Carroll
No doubt...sometimes when it rains, it pours.
My thoughts are with Kathleen and her husband as they navigate through these trying times. A heart attack and subsequent bypass surgery, coupled with Covid is a difficult journey and my hope is that each passing day brings progress and healing.
When major life issues arise, it's definitely easy for paperwork and TO DOs to accumulate, contributing to a sense of overwhelm.
Always know, during times like this, that it is necessary to prioritize the well-being of yourself and your
family above all else.
And as you begin to get your life back on track, when you're ready to address the clutter, take small, manageable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Here are some suggestions that might help:
1. Set Realistic Goals: Break down the clutter management process into small, achievable tasks. Tackling one area at a time can make the process more manageable.
This doesn't mean organizing a whole room or emptying out the entire fridge. Small, realistic goals might be clearing off one shelf, weeding out one drawer, or going through one box.
2. Enlist Support: When possible, reach out to friends, family, or neighbors who may be willing to lend a hand. Whether it's sorting through paperwork or organizing physical spaces, having an extra pair of hands can make a significant difference.
Handling a clutter project together, and then sitting down for a cup of tea with your helper, can be incredibly therapeutic.
3. Create a Schedule: Set aside specific times each day or week dedicated to decluttering. Even if it's just 15 minutes at a time,
consistency can lead to gradual progress.
Get this onto your calendar, handle it when the day and time rolls around, and then reward yourself for a job well done. It's important to feel a sense of both control and success especially after a trying period in your
life.
4. Prioritize Essential Tasks: Focus on the most critical paperwork or areas that require immediate attention. Tackling the most pressing issues first can provide a sense of accomplishment as well as take some of the stress off of your shoulders.
Remember, recovery is a gradual process, physically and emotionally. It's essential to be patient with yourself during this time. Your, and your family's, well-being have to be the top priorities. Everything else can be addressed in due course.
As a final note, it is the hard times that make "current clutter" more challenging to tackle. That's why, when everything is "normal," keeping the clutter at bay will help you when "normal living" takes a detour.
Sending warm hugs, thoughts of strength, and good vibes to Kathleen, her husband...and any of my GON readers and/or their family members going through a health challenge or a trying time.
