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Happiness

Outer Order Contributes to Inner Calm

Agree? Disagree?

Gretchen Rubin
Source: Gretchen Rubin

From Further Secrets of Adulthood:

Outer order contributes to inner calm.

Agree, disagree?

One of the things about happiness that continually surprises me is the degree to which, for most people, outer order contributes to inner calm, and inner self-command.

In the context of a happy life, a crowded coat closet or an overflowing in-box is trivial, and yet such things weigh us down more than they should.

That’s why I follow habits like making my bed and the one-minute rule, and why one of the most important strategies of habit formation is the Strategy of Foundation.

A friend once told me, “I finally cleaned out my fridge, and now I know I can switch careers” — and I knew exactly how that felt.

A good clutter-clearing makes me feel more energetic, more creative, and more in command of myself. And I know where my keys are!

Do you agree — that there’s a weirdly tight connection between getting control of the stuff of life and feeling in control of your life, generally?

Also ...

I had a great time doing an interview for the Own Show -- talking about (you guessed it) how we can change our habits. Watch here.

Tags: clutter energy order possessions Secrets of Adulthood

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Podcast 25: Hilarious Tips from A. J. Jacobs: Posture, Brainstorming, and Eat from the Fridge, Not the Pantry.

Agree, Disagree? Memories Live Longer Than Dreams.

Secrets of Adulthood: “__ Is a Good Servant But a Bad Master.” Fill in the Blank.

Podcast 23: Choose an Office TV Show, Do You Savor or Spree, and Keeping Good Habits While Traveling.

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