Is it that time of year again? Time to let go of the old ‘stuff’ and make room for the new? It’s not just about New Year’s resolutions and intentions, for me it’s also about tidying up my physical space and creating some more order and room to breathe and live and work better. I’m all ready for it and will spend some dedicated time over the New Year’s holidays de-cluttering my home office and my private space.

De-clutter? What does that actually mean? What is clutter anyway? The Canadian Oxford Dictionary defines clutter as ‘crowded and untidy collection of things’, and for these language experts cluttered means ‘crowded so as to cause confusion, esp. with many small objects’.

Hmmm! Many small objects? Confusion? Yes, I can relate to both! Do you know the feeling when you can’t find something that you know you put on your desk, but now there are a gazillion of new business cards, file folders, bills and notes on top of it? And once you’ve dug it out and used it you put it back on the desk, only to cover up something else that you might need next? Grrrrr, I’m really tired of it! Tired of not finding things I need, and tired of feeling so ‘stuffed up’ with all these little things that they really weigh me down. They are in my way, mentally and physically, of getting done what I want to accomplish. I need more space! And I will create just that!

So, here’s my plan: I’m going to de-clutter my home office tomorrow morning and I’ll spend a good couple of hours on that. Would you like to know how that works out and what else I do to get and keep my space in a tidier state? Well, then come back in the New Year and I’ll tell you all about it! Happy New Year from Vancouver to the world and here’s to a clutter-free 2010 – on every level!

Monika is Owner at Clear Directions – Consulting & Life Coaching and is located in Vancouver, BC.