Optimize Your Environment, And Then Go Paddle

Working with a client this week, it was all about paper clutter. Can you relate? I once hired a clutter consultant. She came over and challenged me to get rid of 1/3 of my clothes. I felt like a game show contestant as I sped through my closet and drawers grabbing all that did not fit my body or my style.

She came back the next week and I was proud to show my stuffed garbage bags ready for the thrift store. Then, we sat down at my kitchen table, which doubled as my office desk at the time. About 15 minutes into our one-hour session I was shaking and on the verge of tears. For some reason, paper clutter is much more psychologically stressful for me than clothes, or anything else. I think it's because it represents My Work In The World and all that is tangled up in that - accomplishment, failure, self-worth, productivity. It's taken years to get my office world in order and now I love to help others do it too. Paper clutter can be a big drain on mental clarity and create a background tension that contributes to overwhelm. 

I was excited to share some strategies and found this beautiful file cabinet that solves a lot of problems. The two drawers keep all the papers in order. The space on top of the drawers is intended for a printer, but I suggested a selection of beautiful books that feel good to glance at. The top shelf is for a plant and a few favorite objects - for this person a small statue of Napoleon on a horse. Best of all it's narrow and tall so fits the space perfectly. 

Since I help people optimize their space as well as clarify vision and master mindset, I set myself up with an Amazon affiliate account. THIS is my first recommendation. I know my client will love it, and maybe you will too. Whenever I share a link and you choose to purchase, I'll receive a tiny commission.

Since I found paper clutter so stressful when it was my turn to declutter, I wanted to end the session with my client on a more positive and soothing note. So the conversation turned to summer activities. Paddling is a favorite for both of us and I couldn't resist going on and on about Yeti. I have both wine tumblers and a cooler (tall enough for wine bottles) that fit perfectly on my stand-up paddle board and keep things cool on all-day river trips - even multi-day trips, if that's your thing. So, I recommended these gorgeous and incredibly functional items too. 

Fun colors, right? I'm officially middle-aged when having a single cube of ice in my sauvignon blanc - that doesn't melt while I drink it because of Yeti's freezer quality insulation on its wine tumblers - contributes to my joy on a Thursday evening on the SUP. Cheers to organized papers and perfectly chilled wine!