Hi Karen,

I am stuck. I am fascinated by your book about clearing clutter. I have so much of it!!! I have tried to clear and then half way I give up or get diverted because I feel there is quite a bit of pain I have to go through. I want to move on but it seems I just shift the stuff around but not clearing it. I have suffered from bereavement and depression over the past years. I desperately want to let the past go in the last few days of this century. Any advice on how I can make the shift?

- B.C., Ireland

Karen's reply:

I'm glad to hear my book has helped you make a start. My best advice to you is to keep reading and re-reading it so that you stay motivated to continue. If possible, ask a friend (the kind who doesn't have much clutter) to help and support you as you do it. Just do one small area at a time. Focus on the progress you are making rather than how much there is still to do. Keep in mind, as you do the clutter clearing, that you are letting go of the old to create space for a new and better life.

And when it all seems too much, put the problem in perspective by realizing how many millions of people in the world have nothing at all, and be sincerely grateful that your lot in life has been to have too much rather than too little. Then go clear some more! The trick is to get the right balance - not too much and not too little for your life.