Clutter

“When we clear the physical clutter from our lives, we literally make way for inspiration and 'good, orderly direction' to enter.” ~ Julia Cameron
 
I am not a hoarder, I get rid of stuff.  I clean my closets once a year; usually during April I go through the closets and get rid of things that no longer bring me joy or I don’t use.  I was raised in a “neatnik” house and we couldn’t do anything on the weekend until the house was cleaned first.  I have given up on that philosophy of living, but I don’t like clutter and I like to keep things clean and see the top of the desk and tables.
 
This is true everywhere except when I am in a creative mood.  When I paint or cook I am in the zone and things are a mess with stuff everywhere and I just keep adding as I get further in the flow.  When I am done cooking, I clean up the hurricane of a mess and put everything away because this is a space that is lived in.  I do not usually clean the art studio because I know I will be back in a day or so and I will want all of that stuff out again, so I just leave it out.
 
But, during April, I only do one task as a time and I finish each task, which includes cleaning up after each task, even in my art room.  And what I am learning is that I like entering my creative space each morning without the clutter and mess.  I feel that I am coming from a clean slate, a place of peace and it easier to connect to inspiration.  It is important to clear the physical and mental clutter and let inspiration into our heart.  I clear the mental clutter with meditation, going slowly, being mindful and finishing each task completely before moving on the to next.
 
How do you deal with physical and mental clutter?
 

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