Outer Order, Inner Calm: Declutter and Organize to Make More Room for Happiness

by Gretchen Rubin

Our physical experience colors our emotional experience, and when my body is in a place that’s orderly, my mind becomes more serene.

Our rooms shape our thoughts, and our possessions change our moods. It can be challenging to influence our thoughts and actions directly; by improving the state of our surroundings, we can improve our state of mind.

We’ve achieved the right level of order when we can find what we need,

Just because we’re busy doesn’t mean we’re being productive. Working is one of the most dangerous forms of procrastination.

Some people agree to follow a holiday rule: Something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read.

CULTIVATE AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE. Sometimes our stuff drives us a little crazy, so it’s helpful to stay grateful to our possessions: for having served us well, for embodying someone else’s affection for us in the form of a gift, or for giving us a thrill upon purchase. And most important, we should be grateful that we’re lucky enough to have these things in our lives.