About and FAQs

Since 2019, I have made substantial progress in my decluttering journey. That considered, couldn't I stop here? Why start this blog now? 

In a word, accountability. 

I want to keep going not only because I still have stuff to declutter, but because I have experienced an event deeper shift in mindset about stuff. And I feel that sharing those thoughts will keep me going, and, if I'm lucky, connect with others in their decluttering journey. Those are my people (you are my people!) and I look forward to helping build and strengthen our community.   

A Keen Slate? 

A play on words, the title of this blog is a nod to mindfulness, or an awareness of what we are doing, thinking and feeling in the present moment. 

But that sounds like a lot. 

Sometimes it is. And if it is, perhaps it is time to step back a bit. Living in the present moment can be beautiful, gritty, or a combination of the two. But we have the choice of simply acknowledging overwhelm and moving on ... instead of doing nothing. Acknowledge, but don't give in. Know that each new moment is a new opportunity for progress and growth, but most importantly, action. 

And action, as it continues from one moment to the next, is powerful. 

Is action always the right choice?

Sometimes the right choice is to rest, which is itself its own form of action. But resting in the face of overwhelm should not be confused with denial or continuous procrastination. Sometimes we can rest for a bit, take a breath, then start doing the work to free ourselves from the clutter that surrounds us. Even five minutes is more than enough to simply begin ... then continue one step at a time.  

What exactly is mindful decluttering? 

It probably sounds more highbrow than it actually is. It's just knowing that instead of feeling perpetually stuck, drowning in our clutter, each moment offers an opportunity for change. We can take advantage of these opportunities by acknowledging and participating in our surroundings instead of avoiding them.  

Can mindfulness make decluttering easier? 

Yes, but not because decluttering itself is easy. Or even becomes easier. Certainly lots of experience decluttering, then realizing that we never need (or even think about) those items ever again, builds confidence in our decluttering choices. But, although decluttering does not have to be time-consuming, it can be physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting. If it were easy, most people's homes would not hold so much unnecessary clutter! 

However, I believe that the significant challenges that decluttering can present makes utilizing mindfulness even more important. Knowing that we can use both the confidence (another moment is coming, so I can let my overwhelm go) and gentleness of this approach is often what is so desperately needed, for beginners and seasoned declutterers alike.   

Is clutter always physical?

If you've asked this question, you probably already know the answer. Although most people are occupied with physical clutter, clutter is any set of items that don't serve us and our life's potential. This can be digital clutter (an overflowing inbox, addictive/unused apps/accounts, TMI on news sites and social media), food and beverages that make us feel unwell, as well as unhelpful ideas that make us feel anxious and less-than. So-called friendships and other relationships regarded as toxic can also be clutter. 

Just note that I have not included living beings in this list. People and animals are not clutter. Also as a plant biologist, I would argue the same for our chlorophyll-bearing friends. Just make sure to trim them! Anyway, although the focus of A Keen Slate will be physical clutter, posts about decluttering in these other realms can appear from time to time.     

Why not just organize? 

Who will benefit from reading this blog?