Organizing one’s self if a big task that takes time and effort. Organizing one’s space is a big task that takes time and effort. I don’t know which one is easier or less frustrating or more valuable. I am pretty sure they go hand in hand. I do know there is a saying that says “the outer is a reflection of the inner”. It is no mystery to me when I walk into a home or work environment or a friend’s car that is piled up with papers, trash and STUFF that there is probably something going on inside that person either mentally, physically and or emotionally. It does not take a “rocket scientist” to know there is something going on creating the”cyclone” effect. I know all to well from my own environmental “hurricane effects”, that my own “Disorganized Self” (D.S.) can create chaos and get in the way of my “Organized Self” (O.S.). I will start having an accumulation of piles of papers, collections of unnecessary items, wild and crazy clothing options, or duplicates of the same clothing item, and a sense of hopelessness and wonderment when looking at it all. My hopelessness comes from thinking about when I will have time to sort through everything, and organize it, and my wonderment comes from the wondering “how did it happen”? As I recall, I organized it the week before, so it should still be clean, correct?? I know that something is going on with me for the passionate chaos to perpetuate week after week, losing my abilities and techniques for on-going organization and order.
I realize that “Outer Disorganization” (O.D.) is due to something with the inner self being off kilter. I know that I create O.D. when my lifestyle choices grow old and mundane, and I get stuck, frustrated and impatient creating and implementing new goals and dreams. I create the O.D. so I can focus on the STUFF, papers, confusion and my tropical storm path, instead of on the “major issues” of my life, like making real life changes, and resolving challenges. I realize that change and facing life challenges can be difficult, and then going forward with the changes, and working through the life challenges, can be like hitting a blizzard with a bikini on….cold and practically life-threatening.
Knowing who I am, what I want and where I want to go can be daunting with thoughts twirling around and around like the Merry-Go-Round of my past. Knowing how to slow it all down, so there is calm and focus, and sorting through ideas, challenges, wants, desires and dreams can be confusing and scary. At the same time the change and challenge “tunnel” I must go through to get to the “new me” and “the new lifestyle” is an opportunity for growth and fulfillment.
The first stage of reckoning with one’s D.S. is to formulate an idea of your “ideal lifestyle”. Whatever that means to you. Whatever you would love your life to look like, smell like, taste like and be like. This idea will begin to create your individual life picture. Creating a dream board, by cutting out all the pictures and words and symbols from magazines that represent your inner self, and gluing them onto a big cardboard can start you off. Making a list of your dreams and goals may help you become clear on your lifestyle image. Writing out a journal of ideas, thoughts, dreams and wishes will help you formulate your “ideal lifestyle”. That is the first step to Self & Space Organization.
My background as a Social Worker for 17 years, counseling 1000’s of people, has led me to understand human nature. I love working closely with people and helping them learn to understand and love themselves better so they could be freed up in every way possible. After 17 years of sitting in the “therapist chair” I was glad to get my ARS up and running again. Being a Psychotherapist has its advantages, don’t get me wrong. I was able to achieve so much in my 17 year career. I worked with the most extraordinary people, families, groups and colleagues imaginable. I worked with people that had debilitating challenges, Seniors, Children, Families and Individuals. I had a contract to see the Military Personnel from Camp Pendleton, and create interventions for PTSD and serious mental health challenges. I developed a Medication/ Treatment Alliance Program and still write articles pertaining to Serious Mental Health Challenges. All in all assisting people to become the best they can is my focus.
I-Deal-Lifestyle is a Self & Space Organizationsm service where I can assist people in getting it all “straight”nd out!
Orange County Professional Organizer helps you get your home, office, and business organized! We serve all of Orange County, Los Angeles, and San Diego. We also serve your area by special request.
Please call 949-709-7000 for a free 30 min. phone consultation.
Marla Stone Lifestyle Expert is featured in the Orange County Register as the clutter buster.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/stone-370146-says-carbone.html
