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Visual Serenity

by | Jan 15, 2008 | Decorating Inspiration, Domesticity

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Visual Serenity

Did you know that yesterday was National Clean Off Your Desk day? I’m a little slow in reporting here, but just thought you might want to know! I’ve been doing a lot of organizing and de-cluttering around my house. Tidying things up and getting rid of clutter is one of the best ways to reduce a stressful environment in your home. When you have too much stuff, your eyes don’t know where to focus so you start to feel anxious! And when you feel anxious, it is hard to be really happy and productive in life.

Speaking of feeling the pinch of too much to do, I need to get back to it right now!

Please visit my CWO article this month for ideas on Creating Visual Serenity!!

photo: Better Homes & Gardens online

Related Posts: Visual Serenity Now!

35 Comments

  1. Irene

    This is so true. I decluttered my young son’s underwear and pajamas drawer and although about two thirds of his stuff is gone, I feel we actually have more. Or rather, enough. This is probably because I find easily what I look for when I am in a hurry, plus I do not have to go through clothes that do not fit anymore, first, giving me the illusiont that there is not enough.

    I admire your way of bringing together great taste and your faith. Your blog is a feast for the eyes, the mind and the soul. That is why you will find me lurking here first thing in the morning! I have actually given you a bloggy award. Please stop by and pick it up!

    Thank you, and God bless.

    Reply
  2. Kathleen Grace

    Hmmm….sorry I missed clean off your desk day, guess it’s too late now since I missed it. (Whew, crisis averted!)

    Reply
  3. Alice

    Oh…I missed it! Guess my desk will stay the way it is! A little messy, but happy!

    Reply
  4. Debra W

    Visual Serenity is such an inspiring concept. I do wish that I could achieve it, but I am so easily distracted by other things. I have to admit that I do sometimes find my piles of books and magazines, comforting. Not sure why that is. Could be because I really enjoy words and like the idea of being surrounded by them.

    Have a restful evening!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

    Reply
  5. Kari

    You know, since you obviously have a knack for this whole “de-cluttering” thing and since you are even MORE obviously a kind and giving person, I would like to invite you over to my home so that you can practice a little more of your de-cluttering technique on my closets while we chat about how to make my life less stressful. Yes. That sounds like a great plan to me. What? You’re too busy?? Dang. Guess I’ll have to this myself. But thanks for the inspiration. lol

    Reply
  6. Lynda

    I missed “clean your desk day” too. Oh well … Loved your article, Melissa! Lately I’ve been wanting fewer things around and I’m becoming much more particular about what I have out on my tables or hanging on my walls. ~ Lynda xo

    Reply
  7. Vee

    National clean off your desk day? Oh crikey and I missed it! ;> Well, tomorrow’s another day and I may have to give it some serious consideration now that Linda at Restyled Home stole my idea. LOL!

    Reply
  8. M&Co

    My desk is a mess so I’m sorry I missed that day…i*ll have to wait for next year now ;-) Actually I like abit of mess in my workroom to spark my creativity, but sometimes it reach that point were I cant consentrate on anything but the mess, and then my creativity is non existing until I tidy up. I think its about time now :-)

    Reply
  9. Deserae

    Oops! Looks like I missed the big day too! Oh well…there’s always tomorrow right? LOL…I just wish I had an office that looks like the one in the photo!!!! Oh to dream…………..
    ~Des

    Reply
  10. Penny, Mosaic Artist

    Well, as I read this post, I look at the MAJOR mess on my desk and thought, yes, I do need to do some decluttering…. Can you come over and give me moral support :-)?
    Hugs,
    Penny

    Reply
  11. A Fanciful Twist

    WAIT!!! I missed your birthday? But I adore you and I would never want to miss that fun!! And that special day!! Well, Happy Happy Belated birthday!!!! xoxooxoxoxoxoxo I would clean your desk for you for your birthday if I lived closer :) xoxoxo

    Reply
  12. Rachael

    I missed the day but better late than never:) A good post, were you speaking directly to me????? I am so in need of decluttering the house to free life up:) Rachael

    Reply
  13. Judy

    Decluttering was the name of the game for our New Year…and I have pics of my home office on my blog to prove it! I had a yarn nest due to my crochet addiction, and now it’s a room we both love to look at!
    It feels great…and more decluttering to come!

    Reply
  14. Jenn and Jacqui

    Hi Melissa, National Clean Off Your Desk Day, that is great!! You are absolutely right, clutter equals stress and serious M & M eating! Enjoyed your article in CWO :) We really need to declutter the desk, only problam is more stuff arrives the next day!! Have a great day Melissa! Jenn and Jacqui

    Reply
  15. Elzie

    Looking around me here on my desk makes me sure I had no idea it was that day LOL. My desk seems filled with more and more stuff, no matter how much I put in their places.
    Have a great day.
    Love Elzie

    Reply
  16. Cre8Tiva

    i need serenity now…visual and otherwise…i am doing some major reclaim and rearrange tasks…clutter is leaving my life this year…love the photo…blessings today, rebecca

    Reply
  17. My Melange

    Since my desk is barely large enough to hold my computer…I rarely can have a cluttered desk. But the rest of the house….well, we won’t go there. For some reason..piles just seem to find there way to the kitchen table!!!!

    Reply
  18. Ruth Welter

    Great article Melissa….I’ve vowed since we moved last summer, to try and do some basic spring cleaning each year. Somthing I’ve been really bad about doing. You know, the stuff that doesn’t need it on an everyday basis, but if you never clean it, boy are you sorry. I need to get better about that kind of cleaning for sure.

    Reply
  19. Vee

    Your article provided lots of food for thought and it even gave me a solution to an ongoing problem I’ve had. I hadn’t even realized it as a “problem” until reading the article on storage spaces. I may have to feature it in a future blog entry. ;)

    Reply
  20. Elizabeth

    Whoops. I missed the boat! Thanks for the reminder and inspiring office picture! Going to check out your article now…

    Reply
  21. Polly

    It’s so true, isn’t it?! If I can just have the kitchen counter clear for one day I feel such a sense of accomplishment! Blessings… Polly

    Reply
  22. Catherine

    Melissa, I love reading your blog each morning with my coffee. Thanks for the link to your CWO article. I subscribed this morning. Have a great day!

    Reply
  23. Bejeweled

    I didn’t know there was a day for that! I love to declutter after the crazy holiday season and get everything back into zen calm. Now, off to read your article :)

    Reply
  24. Sweet Cottage Dreams

    I did not know that. I started cleaning our computer desk off the other day. When it is dirty, I cannot focus and just shove everything in a pile and move it. Hope all is going great for you!!!!!!

    xo
    Becky

    Reply
  25. Liberty Post Editor

    I think most of us edit and then start to add again. Why is that? Your birthday gift is over at my place waiting for you!

    Reply
  26. anne

    Hi Melissa.

    I have been de-cluttering this week, husband hates it!!! :-) Just in case I throw something out he wants. Things he hasn;t used for months and months. I am fine for a while and yes then I start to feel anxious.

    I just love the idea in the picture. I could do with you living in the UK to help me decorate my house.

    Reply
  27. Judy

    Never mind the desk…I’m working at the pantry today! New year…fresh start…it feels good.

    Thanks for your inspiring blog…always a resfreshing place to visit. Blessings!

    Reply
  28. Lori Janiszewski

    Hi Melissa,
    I know what you mean about clutter causing stress. My new year’s resolution was de-clutter. I already have taken soo much to goodwill and have many more I’m sure.
    You have a beautiful blog. I will hop on over and visit your website too. Thanks for visiting me and your sweet comment.
    Have a stress-free day!

    Reply
  29. Terri Steffes

    I am cleaning out a drawer a day as part of my plan to reorganize my life. I am an elementary principal and write a “morning message” to my students about Clean out your Desk day!

    Reply
  30. the feathered nest

    Just read your article – lots of good ideas! I need to declutter my desk but right now I’m reorganizing my kitchen.

    Manuela

    Reply
  31. Linda's Blue gate

    My desk is neat as a pin… inside the drawers is another story….
    And I really need to join Manuela and reorganize my kitchen
    Thanks for stopping by my blog..
    You have a very peaceful blog
    Linda

    Reply
  32. Lady N

    Visual serenity – I love that term!

    Reply
  33. laissezfaire

    I find that as I grow older, I get less tolerant of clutter….

    Less is more!

    Reply
  34. Terri

    Melissa, thanks for the tip! I will check out your article. I love the idea of visual serenity (great phrase) but find there is a lot of discipline required to maintain it. My house is always tidy, but still little piles of clutter here and there. THe right storage and baskets and bins and such are key. A place for everything…

    xxo Terri

    Reply

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