Lose the Clutter, Lose the Weight (42 page)

In most kitchens, the cleaning products stay under the sink. People often find that venturing into this dark, spooky place is one of their least-liked tasks in the kitchen, but I promise that this step can be one of the most rewarding.

First, remove everything from under the sink and place it on your kitchen counter. Discard any old, unused, empty, or just plain odd products and items. I guarantee you'll find multiples of some cleaning products (like partially filled bottles of the same spray cleaner)—if so, merge them into single containers. (However, don't mix different types of cleaners in one container.)

Odds are good that you'll be able to toss out several nearly empty containers of cleaning products. In most cases, it's okay to just pour small amounts of household cleaners down the drain, then recycle the container. If you have larger quantities, be sure to dispose of them responsibly.

While the under-sink area is empty, thoroughly clean it. Finally, reload the space with only those items that you need and use regularly. Consider using plastic storage bins to keep similar items together. This will help keep the space tidy and enable you to quickly and easily find what you're seeking—which you'll be grateful for the next time you're fumbling around for the right bottle in this dark, spidery area.

Be sure not to overload the space. If you have extra items that you want to
keep but don't need in the kitchen, relocate them to the garage or basement with other surplus cleaning supplies.

Task 10:

TAME YOUR DINING ROOM

The next zone you'll tackle is your dining room. If you don't have a formal dining room, then turn your attention to the area where your family gathers to eat. If you eat in front of the television, I strongly advise you to move your meals to a place that's free of distractions, a place solely for sharing meals together.

Creating and maintaining a welcoming dining space is a key component of the
Lose the Clutter, Lose the Weight
plan. Having a place dedicated only to eating and sharing food as a family will greatly improve how you view your food and how you consume it. Taking your food to a place where you can focus on it will help you pay more attention to what's going into your mouth—and whether it's going to help you lose weight, or whether it's yet another food that will keep you overweight and unhappy.

You'll also be able to pay more attention to your body's signals: Are you actually hungry? Can you feel satisfied with smaller portions?

So think about the way you want your dining area to function for your health and your family's happiness. Anything that doesn't help you realize your vision for this space—anything that's interfering with that goal—has no place in this room.

To be realistic, the room may also need to serve double duty as a homework or hobby area. If this is the case, talk with family members and figure out together how you'll keep those uses from interfering with a relaxed and mindful dining atmosphere at mealtimes.

Task 11:

TAKE OUT YOUR MALIGNANT ITEMS

Now is the time to turn your attention back to your malignant kitchen items: the stuff that makes you feel guilty, or sad, or like you've failed as a cook or as a provider for your family.

As bad as this stuff is, I know it's often difficult to “break up” with it. It's just like addressing a relationship that's bad for you or that has run its course. Even when you know you need to do it, making that break can be incredibly painful.

I have dealt with all kinds of malignant clutter over the years. I know how
crippling some items can be, how they can crush your spirit and, without warning, bring up memories of times or events that send you into sadness, anger, and despair.

I also know that the only way
over
a problem is
through
it. By dealing with malignant clutter, you remove hurdles that are keeping you from your best life. A few years ago, I worked with a family that had endured the father's battle with lymphoma. Every member of the family was left shaken by the experience.

Fortunately he was in remission, and his odds for continued good health were great. But in one corner of the living room, I found an upper-body and head cast that held him completely still during his extensive radiation treatments. The whole family blanched when I lifted the cast aloft. They hated what the cast represented. Still, they couldn't let it go.

Your malignant clutter may have been tormenting you for years. But you're getting a fresh start, and this harmful clutter is presenting obstacles to your growth and success. Now's the time to get rid of your first batch of malignant clutter. If you simply must have a reminder that this stuff was part of your life, take a picture of it, then tuck away the physical photo in a desk or stick the digital version deep into the belly of your computer.

It's time to give this clutter to the world outside your home. Gather up the pile and:

Distribute items to friends or family.

Sell things on Craigslist or on consignment.

Donate it to Goodwill.

Set things out on your curb with a sign that reads “FREE.”

Recycle whatever you can.

Accept that some items are worthless and throw them in the trash.

After a long conversation, the family I was just telling you about agreed to my suggestion that we
burn
the cast as a way of saying good-bye to the cancer and signaling a new beginning. This was one of the most emotional moments I have ever had as a professional organizer. Everyone was in tears as flames reduced the cast to ashes. But in that moment, there was also a great sense of joy and release. By letting go of this piece of malignant clutter (the worst kind of malignant clutter, in fact), the whole family was free of the destructive power that it held over them.

Week One

Mindset Adjustment

This program is about clearing away the unwanted stuff that's been building up in your body, home, and mind for years or decades. A powerful tool for making these changes is to practice mindfulness meditation for just 5 minutes every day, starting this week.

This is not a difficult or complex task, but it's one that some people in the test panel found especially challenging. Somehow those 5 minutes were the ones they had trouble sparing.

Set aside this time and set a timer for yourself. It's just 5 minutes. Consider it a little space in the day for treating yourself. It may feel like you're not doing anything, but you are.

This exercise simply requires that you sit in a quiet environment and focus on your breath moving in and out of your body. If any other thoughts pop up in your mind, just let them pass through without paying them any attention. Don't argue with them or get mired in them or allow them to upset you. Let them slip away and return your focus to your breathing.