But what about self-awareness? There is certainly a movement
afoot to promote self-care: getting enough sleep and exercise, maintaining the
balance between work and our personal life. Despite the repeated message that
“You deserve a break”, “You’re worth the indulgence” it remains difficult for
many to recognize or allow their needs to be fulfilled.
But no one is knocking on the door to teach us about ourselves. Do you recognize the feelings that are
created when you have to pay income tax? Is there a mounting sense of
frustration when you have to reschedule an appointment for the second time, due
to a conflict? When you walk in the front door, are you relaxed and happy to be
home, or do your eyes dart from one unfinished task to the next?
Your environment and the tasks you engage in, all contribute
to your daily experiences. Are you calm, focused and productive? Or do you find
it difficult to get motivated and stay on track? Is there a sense of overwhelm
that makes it impossible for you to even put one foot forward? Research out of
the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute dating back to 2011 found that
visual clutter contributes to irritability, distractibility, reduced
productivity and makes it hard for us to process information.
All those negatives
give us good reason to face our clutter and create a more serene environment
for ourselves. When you take that first
step, pause long enough to recognize how good it feels to have one less
decision to make. As you continue along, whether for days, weeks, months or
longer, remember to periodically stop and recognize how much lighter you feel
and how much easier it is to accomplish your daily tasks. 
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