Lose the Clutter, Lose the Weight (50 page)

Task 9:

CLEAN DUST AND COBWEBS FROM THE ROOM

There is nothing like the feeling of clean, crisp sheets and a spotless bedroom. It makes you feel like you're checking into a relaxing resort every night. Think about stepping into a hotel or resort room for the first time: Just seeing a bit of clutter or dirt will greatly reduce the enjoyment you'll feel about staying there. Why expect less from your own home?

Now is the time to rotate or flip your mattress and give it an airing. Move your furniture and give the room a thorough dusting and vacuuming. You might even consider deep-cleaning your carpets with a rental unit available at many supermarkets and hardware stores. Consider rearranging the furniture so that you take maximum advantage of the space and natural light. You might even want to purchase new bed linens to really set the room off.

Wash your curtains, clean the rugs, dust the baseboards—and enjoy what a decluttered, spotless, welcoming haven feels like. Welcome to your new sanctuary!

Task 10:

CLEAR OUT UNWANTED LINENS

Even if you store your bedding in a non-bedroom location (such as your laundry room or a closet in your spare bedroom), it
is
bedroom-related, so now is a good time to sort through these items.

I recommend that you keep no more than two extra sets of bedding per bed. Perhaps you'll want one set of lightweight sheets for summer and a set of flannel sheets for winter. What you
don't
want is a jumble of mismatched sheets from half-discarded old sets, sheets with holes or embarrassing stains, or fitted sheets with stretched-out or torn elastic in the corners.

Sort through the pile of bedding and make separate piles of each complete set you own. Decide on the two you'll keep for each bed. Fold these neatly and slip each set into its matching pillowcase. You'll now have several pillowcases that each contain a full set of bedding, which is the foundation for a well-kept linen area.

Go through your blankets and comforters at this time. I also recommend
that you keep no more than two of these per bed. Many people have a pile of blankets and homemade quilts that they received as gifts stashed away in their linen closet. Pull these out and evaluate whether they help you attain your vision for the room or whether they've become clutter.

If you truly wish to keep a blanket, then use it. If you have a giant stack of inherited quilts that your grandmother made, and you've kept them solely out of a sense of quilt guilt (yes, that is a thing!), go through the collection and pick out the one or two that are the best crafted or that best match the décor of your bedroom. Offer the rest to other family members, friends, or Goodwill—and take satisfaction in knowing that the fruits of grandma's time and skill are actually being appreciated, rather than hiding unseen in a dark closet.

Also, keep this in mind: Sheets and towels that are no longer usable are always welcomed at animal shelters for use as bedding for pets.

Task 11:

GET RID OF YOUR MALIGNANT ITEMS

If you piled up any items during your first task of the week that make you feel guilty or sad or nostalgic or angry, and you know they don't belong in the peaceful environment of your bedroom, it's time to do something with them.

This can be particularly hard with malignant clutter in the bedroom, as this stuff often represents your most intimate relationships, whether current or past. Take a moment to honor the importance of what you're doing when you move this stuff out of your bedroom. Think about the person you've become since you bought or received these items as gifts.

Throw them away and take note of whether you feel a little lightening of your spirit as they vanish. If someone else can use these items, give them away. Or sell them and use the proceeds to fund a day trip or a longer vacation.

Sleep easier tonight knowing they're out of your bedroom.

Week Two

Mindset Adjustment

This week's mindset adjustment builds upon last week's exercise. For the past week, I invited you to simply spend 5 minutes a day quietly focusing on your breath and observing the thoughts that pop up in your mind. Experts recommend this activity as a primary way to develop greater mindfulness, which heightens your awareness of what's going on in your life.

This week, I ask you to become more mindful of the food you're about to eat by incorporating these steps into your day:

Decide what you want your food to do
for
you. Do you want it to provide nourishment? Help you lose weight? Meet the criteria for a heart-healthy diet? Whenever you get the urge to eat or drink anything—and I mean
anything
, whether it's a beverage while you're refilling your car or a full meal—stop to assess whether the food or drink will help you meet your goal.

Remember that just because your mind gets the impulse to eat something, you don't have to obey it.

Really savor the flavor and aroma of the food you're eating. Consistently ask yourself whether you're still hungry or whether you truly need to eat more.

Week Two

Fitness Activities

Walking frequency:
With your increased energy, build up to walking 3 days this week.

Duration:
Take a 10-minute walk around your block, the neighborhood, the park, or on a treadmill if you have one. Walking in place while watching TV or listening to music works, as well. As you walk, plan out your decluttering strategy for the day (or the following day if you're exercising in the evening).

In addition, perform the following movements on 2 or 3 nonconsecutive days after your muscles are nice and warm from walking or decluttering.

Grab one or two duffel bags and fill them with bedding and items that you will either donate or give away. While holding the full duffel bag or bags, perform:

10
Sumo Squats

10
Deadlifts

10
Biceps Curls

10
Shoulder Raises