Top 7 Phrases for Uncluttered Communication: Simplify Your Interactions

Sometimes we make things more complicated than they need to be. My spouse describes the interactions of the human race very simply. He says, "We are all just fallible, dopey beings out here bumping into each other." I think that is pretty accurate (just don't tell him I said that). Given we are out here bumping into each other, my daughter and I tried to come up with the best short phrases that would simplify and improve our communications if  only we used them regularly.

Here are our Top 7:

1. Please.
2. Thank you.
3. I am sorry.
4. I forgive you.
5. I love you.
6. Let's have a "do over."
7. How can I help?

Honestly, I wish I had learned some of these earlier in life. At times when I didn't know how to react or preferred to ignore or run away from something, I really could have hung in there and simply said, "How can I help?" Think about it. If we used these with the people we interact with every day, wouldn't we get along better? What would you add or delete from this list?

Book review of "Clutter Clearing Choices"

Check out the book review today at the Imagination Cafe. Thank you!

Quit trying to get motivated to clear out clutter: 3 steps to just do it

The walls creep inward after the holidays in the cold of winter. Normal household clutter and newly gifted items and sale shopping purchases crowd our space. It is depressing and demoralizing to come home and look at the stuff. Quit trying to get motivated to purge and just do it:

1. Set the timer for fifteen minutes. You will either be done, close to completion, or "into it" when the timer goes off. You will make more progress than you think you will. Just do it.

2. Work in your personal prime time. Weeding out is about making lots of decisions. Make decisions at your best time of day. In the morning if you are a morning person...Just do it.

3. Time yourself at the tasks that create household clutter and back up on you. Don't let dishes linger in the sink when it only takes 6 minutes to empty the dishwasher. Don't let clean wrinkled clothing pile up in the laundry basket when it only takes 30 minutes to sort it and put it away...When you time yourself, you gain and keep perspective and you will tackle these things rather than waste time stalling. Just do it.

What is the secret to staying motivated to weed out clutter? The secret is developing lots of tiny habits to process the stuff that comes into your life so that it will also flow out of your life when it is time for it to leave. Don't get motivated, just do it. You will create space to enjoy, peace at home, and the potential to live your best life. Just do it.

A small well-organized yet "maxed out" child's closet