It’s time for another installment (v4) of the What’s Interesting? feature where I share my latest discoveries that inform, educate, and relate to organizing and life balance. I’ve included unique and inspiring change-related finds, which reflect this month’s blog theme. You’re a wonderfully engaged group. I look forward to your participation and additions to the collection I’ve sourced for you. What do you find interesting?

What’s Interesting? . . .

1. Interesting Read – Growth

Not a new book, but one I’m currently reading, Dr. Carol Dweck in Mindset proposes that developing a growth mindset instead of a fixed one can profoundly influence how you live your life. “The growth mindset is based on the belief that your basic qualities are things you can cultivate through your efforts…everyone can change and grow through application and experience.” With our focus this month on change, starting by looking within is emphasized by the concepts in Dweck’s book.

2. Interesting App – Digital Coach

When change is what you seek, but the door feels locked, consider using the appUnstuck, an “in-the-moment” digital coach. It helps those who feel stuck move forward through a series of thought-provoking questions, tips and action tools.

3. Interesting Assessment – Time & Space

How can we change how we organize and manage our time without awareness, acceptance, and relevant action? Take a look at the newly released Time & Space Style Inventory (TSSITM) created by entrepreneur mentor and speaker, Cena Block. If you want to understand your “natural styles” for managing time and organizing space and for moving forward, this assessment is an excellent starting point for real change.

4. Interesting Product – Organizing

If you’re looking to change your daily getting-dressed-experience from stressful to easy, you’ll want to experiment with this clever tool created by professional organizer, Susan Terkanian. My Wardrobe Geniusis a low-tech tool described as a “personal clothing management assistant,” that helps you assess and sort your clothes so only items that fit and make you feel great are visible and ready for use.

5. Interesting Thought - Change

Integral to change is our movement away from the familiar. While fear is often associated with change, we have the ability to adopt the perspective that change as an exciting opportunity.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. What are your interesting finds? Do any of these resonate with you?  Come join the conversation!

Our oldest daughter just graduated from college. As we returned from our trip, it occurred that an integral part of any transition, be it graduation or otherwise, often involves clutter reduction and management.

Clutter can be overwhelming. If you need some help, consider experimenting with some of these seven practical tips.

7 Practical Tips for Reducing Your Clutter

1. Clear Slate

Return things to square one. That might include putting away the dishes, clearing off your desk, or placing dirty clothes in the laundry basket. This will help to maintain clutter and promote mental clarity as you begin your day. When returning from our trip, it felt great to come home to a clutter-free space.

2. Think Less

How much is enough? The less stuff you have, the easier it will be to manage and maintain. While away, I was amazed by how many things I didn’t need.  I only packed a small portion of my belongings, of which not all were used. Remember the 80/20 rule. In general, we only wear 20% of the clothes we own. We only reference 20% of the papers we file.

3. Complete Cycle

Develop an awareness of what you are doing. If you have just entered the house with groceries or purchases in hand, take time to put them away. The few minutes spent doing this minimizes clutter that might otherwise collect in hallways, corners, and floors.

4. Create Homes

When things have no place to go, they start to gather in piles. Establishing a place to put your things helps reduce clutter. Make sure that what you keep is “home worthy.” Is it useful? Do you love it? Does it fit? Do you need so many? Is it time to let go? Ask the questions before putting things away.

5. Pass On

What if the clutter represents things no longer wanted? Do I really want to keep my marble collection or pants that no longer fit? Is it time to reroute them? Many people would appreciate them. Can you donate to a local charity or give it to family or friends? Many charities will pick-up clothing, linens, furniture, and household items. Especially during transitions, we may find that our things “no longer fit” who we are or where we are headed. This can be a clutter reducing motivator.

6. Use Minutes

Clutter management doesn’t have to involve hours. Doing periodic ten-minute sessions can be less overwhelming. Unpacking from our trip included clearing out my travel folder. Some items were filed, and others were recycled. I used additional minutes to look through the four-year-old college folders and clear out papers that are now irrelevant.

7. Purchase Consciously

Before you buy, think about whether you need it and where you will store it. Factoring in this aspect of purchasing habits will prevent clutter from entering your home.

What are your favorite ways to manage and reduce clutter?