Join The Journal Movement . . .

Journaling can be a powerful tool for decluttering your home. 

Here’s how it can help:

• Setting Clear Goals: Before you start decluttering, it’s essential to set clear goals. Journaling allows you to articulate what you want to achieve. Write down specific objectives like “Clear out the bedroom closet” or “Organize the kitchen cabinets.” This clarity will give you a roadmap to follow.
• Creating a Plan: Once you’ve set your goals, create a plan of action. Write down the steps you need to take to achieve each goal. For instance, if you’re decluttering the bedroom, your plan might include tasks like “Sort through clothes,” “Donate or discard unused items,” and “Organize remaining items.”
• Tracking Progress: Use your journal to track your progress. List the tasks you complete and mark them off as you go. This visual representation of your progress can be incredibly motivating.
• Reflecting on Sentimental Items: Often, decluttering involves making intentional decisions about sentimental items. Journaling can provide a space for you to reflect on the emotional attachment to these items. Ask yourself why they are important and if they still serve a purpose in your life.
• Recording Insights and Lessons: As you go through the decluttering process, you’re likely to gain insights about your belongings and your attachment to them. These insights can be valuable in preventing future clutter. Write down any lessons you learn, such as “I tend to accumulate too many clothes” or “I should be more mindful of what I bring into my home.”
• Identifying Problem Areas: Use your journal to identify specific areas in your home that tend to accumulate clutter. It could be a certain drawer, closet, or room. By recognizing these problem areas, you can focus your efforts on them.
• Noting Strategies That Work: As you declutter, you’ll likely discover strategies that are particularly effective for you. Maybe you find that categorizing items before organizing them works well, or perhaps setting a timer helps you stay focused. Write down these strategies so you can use them in future decluttering efforts.
• Addressing Emotional Attachments: Clutter often has emotional attachments. Journaling provides a safe space to explore these emotions. Write about why certain items are hard to let go of and consider whether those emotions are valid or if they’re holding you back.
• Celebrating Achievements: Celebrate your successes in your journal. Record how you feel after each decluttering session. Acknowledging your accomplishments can boost your motivation to continue.
• Planning for Maintenance: Decluttering is an ongoing process. Use your journal to plan how you’ll maintain a clutter-free environment. Set regular intervals for reviewing and tidying up your spaces.

Hey, fellow Journalers, remember that journaling is a personal thing, so feel free to do it however you want. Whether you prefer to write with a pen and paper or use a computer or phone, the important thing is that you use journaling as a tool to help you declutter.

When journaling, it’s important to be real with yourself and write about whatever’s on your mind. You might want to write about your thoughts, feelings, experiences, or goals. You can also use journaling to brainstorm ideas, plan for the future, or just relax and de-stress.

Keeping a HOME JOURNAL: I’ve been journaling since I was twelve. My family was military, so we moved every two years. I would journal about the base apartments, townhouses, or homes we lived in so I could remember what we called “home.” As I got older and lived in my own apartments, condos, or mobile homes, I would journal about those spaces too.

I used to live in a tiny little mobile home where the sunlight would stream through my bedroom window every morning. It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. It was like Mother Nature was saying, “Good morning!” every day. I’ve never seen anything like it since.

Once you get started, you may find that journaling becomes a regular part of your routine. It can be a great way to connect with yourself and improve your mental health.

Peace ♥ Harmony, Cheryl