Why I’m Purging 365 Things This Year

How To Declutter – One Day at a Time

I mentioned in my article last week that I’m re-framing how I view the new year.

In fact my exact words were, “I’m changing how I approach new years’ resolutions. Instead of creating statements and lists of what I resolve to do, I’m going for feelings (more of this in a future article). I’ve also picked a word of the year: VISIBILITY. I’m ready to see more of myself, and in turn be seen more. It’s gonna be a good year.” (Gotta love the copy and paste.)

It was not far into my year of visibility that someone said to me, “You better be careful with that. You never know what naughty photos or videos are lurking about, that might make their way to the internet.” And while I’m pretty darn sure there is none of that or those “lurking around,” it did create pause.

And that can be down right scary sometimes.

To aid in my internal looking I decided to let go of stuff. This project was semi-inspired by a friend who decided not to buy any new clothes in 2013. And this girl loves her clothes. How could she possibly do that? She loves her clothes. And I love my stuff, which made be believe it was time to look at that.

I’m planning on purging one physical item from my life every day. It happened by fluke on Jan 1st. But it felt so good I decided to keep it going.

All. Year. Long.

The decision reflects one the feelings I want to feel – which is FREE. I don’t feel free with clutter around. I’ve realized stuff is funny. It’s distracting. It’s shiny, and it keeps my attention away from really looking at myself, and what I call my gunk.

So a diurnal purge is a way to help me be visible to myself. How is my physical reality reflecting my internal milieu? What do I need to do to change that internal landscape and hence the external one? How can the outside inform the inside? What am I holding on to? But more importantly, why? I’m ready to see all the answers to these questions. Visibility.

To hold myself accountable, I’m keeping a spreadsheet of my daily ditching. The link will be public for the entire year. You as the public, will be able to check in on me, add comments, and ask questions as I go.

I’ve also created a set of guidelines:

Visibility De-Inventory Guidelines

1. Remove one physical item (not digital file) per day from the house or clinic. Items can be sold, donated, gifted, returned, consumed, burned, recycled, composted, or trashed. Re-purposing, storing, and long-term loans are not encouraged. Digital items can replace physical items (information products: books, courses, etc.) There is no value requirement – financial, emotional, or otherwise.

2. Give gratitude for all the goodness that came from the item, and wish it well on its new journey.

3. Document the De-inventory here. Photography is permissible if heavily emotionally attached. However exploring the attachment is even better.

4. Action over intention. There must be action towards the removal (it is understandable some items can’t be removed immediately or just be thrown away.) But where action is NOT immediately impossible, intention will suffice.

5. Some items should go as groups – paper clips, staples, etc.

6. Some items can go individually – clothes, books, bigger ticket items, etc. If many items are purged in one day, carry over to other days is not encouraged.

7. Mutually owned items must be agreed upon, mutually.

8. Moving items between clinic / home (or vice versa) doesn’t count.

9. Taking out trash, recycling or compost doesn’t count for things that would be typically trashed, recycled or composted (eg, kitchen waste.) However if a de-inventory item is removed in the same load as the typical waste, this is okay.

9. Acquiring NEW items should be weighed against:
T – is it TRUE?
H – is it HELPFUL?
I – is it IMPORTANT?
N – is it NECESSARY?
K – is it KIND?

I would love to know what you think of this adventure I’m embarking on. Let me know below in the comments. I’d also love to know if you have a word for 2014 and what it is.

Here’s to your jivin’ Health & thrivin’ Life.
Dr. Tonia