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is your studio all a-clutter?

You may need to “SHED”

Julie Morgenstern, a New York Times best selling author, organizing and time management expert, speaker, and corporate productivity consultant, says in Studios Fall/Winter 2008 that you don’t need to throw out your stash in order to get organized.

However, there may come a time in your life when you want to clear out the clutter and start fresh. For example, when the quantity of materials is so overwhelming that you are stuck, when you want to transition to another kind of craft, or when you are in need of a change.

That’s when Morgenstern says you may be ready to “SHED,” or separate, heave, embrace, and drive. Here’s how:

1. Separate the treasure. Sort through your stuff to separate the real gems—the things you really value—from the duplicates, the mistakes, and the never-useds.

2. Heave everything but the gems. Get the stuff out of your space; it’s no longer relevant to where you’re going. Sell it, donate it, give it, toss it. Warning: Morgenstern says people often feel good at first, but then feel a little lost and want to fill the void. Resist. “Just know that it’s coming and will pass,” she says.

3. Embrace your identity from within. Say to yourself, “I am a creative person, an artist, and ideas can come from within. I don’t need stuff to define who I am.” Separating your self from your stuff is a very freeing moment, says Morgenstern.

4. Drive yourself forward. “Shedding gets you unstuck. Now it’s time to move on to the next thing. It’s not necessarily easy, but it’s probably transforming,” says Morgenstern.

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