Hey there, and welcome back to our 31 Days of Calming Tips. I'm your host, Karin Del Maestro Health and Calmness Coach, also a breast cancer & BRCA2 thriver, I specialize in helping fellow survivors regain their zest for life. Today, we're diving into a topic that'll benefit everyone, especially breast cancer survivors.

We're talking about decluttering to calm your mind, body, and soul.

1. Clutter and Stress:

- It's completely okay to have clutter sometimes, especially when life throws you curveballs like breast cancer and surgeries. During those tough times, our usual routines get disrupted. I remember seeing piles of mail and laundry, and it didn't bring a sense of calm. But let's not beat ourselves up about it; we're human, and sometimes things just get cluttered.

2. The Science of Open Loops:

- Clutter affects us on a deeper level, creating what I call "open loops" in our minds. These open loops are like incomplete tasks or to-do lists that keep growing when we see clutter. The more clutter we have, the more open loops our brain creates, and this translates to more stress and overwhelm.

3. Practical Tips for Decluttering:

- To tackle clutter and regain that sense of calm, start by choosing just one area to declutter. Set a timer for a manageable amount of time, say 10 minutes. Sorting paperwork? Create four piles: to-do, to-file, to-shred, and to-recycle. This method breaks down the task into smaller, more manageable steps.

- Implement a daily routine where you identify three tasks to complete, either starting with the one you like least or using the "5-4-3-2-1" rule to get things done. By closing these open loops, you'll experience reduced stress and anxiety.

**Calm Action of the Day:**

Your calming action of the day is to declutter just one area in your home or workspace within the next week. Set a specific date and time for it on your calendar. When the time comes, remember Mel Robbins' "5-4-3-2-1" rule, then count down and then do it, no matter what. Whether it's tidying your countertop, cleaning out that junk drawer, or tackling a pile of papers, set a timer for 10-15 minutes and get as much done as you can.

You've got this, and the calm you'll feel afterward will be worth it.

Have a beautiful and calm day, and I'll catch you in the next episode. Bye for now!

In this episode Karin mentioned her friend Suzanna Kaye: https://www.suzannakaye.com/