Peace of Mind Organizing

Spa Day report: Simultaneously calming and energizing

17 December 2008

As I mentioned on Friday, I eagerly anticipated the Extra Special Holiday Spa Day at Inspired Home Office, which I participated in on Saturday. I thought I’d report on this very cool experience.

There were six participants, in addition to the leaders, Jen Hofmann and Havi Brooks. We were scattered around the continent, from Vancouver, B.C. to southern Florida. We gathered on the phone via teleconference line and made introductions and talked about what we were hoping to get out of our time together. The Spa Day was scheduled for 5 hours. About half of that was on the phone, the other half off-line working on projects. Jen remained on the line in case there were questions. So we could just pick up the phone, call the teleconference line, and she’d be there. Cool.

Jen led us through a process to identify the first project we wanted to work on in the hour or so allotted. She encouraged us to think about the holidays/end of year as a time of completion. In selecting our projects, she said, we should keep in mind the value of finishing up things this year and starting afresh in the new year. I think that’s brilliant.

So I (along with everyone else) silently figured out what I wanted to work on. I wanted it to be something that I could accomplish in the hour. I wanted it to reduce my stress. And I wanted it to represent completion. I lighted on exactly the right project: I would get rid of clutter that accumulated as a result of my creating a second home office. This is stuff that was taken out of the room that was transformed and not put back in there. Instead, it was pushed aside in the back of an adjacent room. I’d be actively avoiding dealing with it since (gulp) July. I walk past it every day.

So once I identified that as the perfect project that fit all my criteria, I was raring to go. I’ve never been so excited about an organizing project in my own home. As I listened to Jen finish up, I was chomping at the bit to get started. When we hung up, I practically ran to the area in question. Can you imagine?

And I finished it in the hour! It actually involved my husband’s help carrying something heavy to the basement, so I’m particularly proud I finished it in an hour.

We reconvened on the phone, talked about what we’d done and how it felt. Personally, I didn’t have any emotional issues surrounding this particular clutter, but other people were dealing with some issues and the group environment was so supportive and helpful. Havi took us through a relaxation exercise, and we set the goal for the next hour. I worked on making my desk area less distracting and plowed through the inbox I’d been ignoring for a weak. It was a peaceful and productive experience, that second hour. Darkness was falling as 5:00 approached and I was feeling very good about my day.

Lessons learned? There were several.

• Instead of walking by clutter spots thinking, “I need to get to that,” just get to it! It probably will take less time and effort than you think.

• A group, particularly one headed by compassionate and skilled leaders, can be powerfully motivating.

• Think about decluttering as an opportunity to reduce stress, rather than just a chore. It’s true and it’s really helpful.

• Focus on completion at the end of the year. It’s nice to tie up loose ends.

• Everyone can use a little help and support. I know full well how to declutter. I help people with it all the time. But by participating in the Spa Day, I benefited tremendous support, motivation, and even a little self discovery. I heartily endorse it!

Thanks, Jen and Havi and all the participants, for making this such a great afternoon.

Tagged with: decluttering, havi brooks, jennifer hofmann, motivation, spa day

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