What a Pedicure Taught Me About Time and Energy Management
The other day, while treating myself to a pedicure, my eyes wandered to a bin in the corner of the spa. It still had its original label—a barcode and an image of the bin in a sterile office setting. My immediate thought was, Why not remove the label before putting the bin to work? My brain quickly followed up with a solution: A bit of tea tree oil would have that sticker off in no time.
As my toes were being pampered, I kept circling back to the bin. It didn’t belong in the calming spa environment; it felt like it was still on the shelf at Big W. That one little label disrupted the harmony of the space, creating a rushed, unfinished vibe that cheapened the spa’s overall aesthetic.
Visual Noise Impacts Mental Clarity
This moment got me thinking about how clutter—visual, physical, or mental—can affect our focus and energy. As Marie Kondo writes in The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying, which I reviewed in another post, “By eliminating excess visual information that doesn’t inspire joy, you can make your space much more peaceful and comfortable.” That little bin label was unnecessary visual clutter, distracting from the spa’s intended atmosphere of calm and relaxation.
We don’t often realise how much these “labels” exist in our daily lives:
- The unread emails cluttering your inbox.
- The apps you don’t use, scattered across your phone.
- The sticky notes and reminders that blend into the background of your workspace.
Each piece of clutter steals a fraction of your energy and focus, creating low-level stress that builds over time.
Time Management Starts with Clarity
When your environment is full of unnecessary distractions, your mind struggles to focus. Think about your calendar or task list:
- Are there old commitments lingering that no longer serve your goals?
- Are you holding onto projects you’ve mentally abandoned but haven’t officially closed?
- Do you have recurring meetings or tasks that could be streamlined or eliminated altogether?
Just like removing the label from that bin, clearing out the “visual noise” in your schedule can help you reclaim your mental energy and bring a sense of ease to your day.
The Ritual of Decluttering
This principle doesn’t just apply to labels on bins or sticky notes on desks. When I buy new clothes, I immediately remove the tags and welcome the item into my wardrobe. Marie Kondo describes this act as a kind of ritual: cutting the tag is like cutting the “umbilical cord” that ties the item to the store.
Leaving the tags on feels like hesitating, holding the item at arm’s length rather than integrating it into your life. Similarly, holding onto old commitments, tasks, or clutter is like leaving the tags on your time and energy—they can’t fully become part of a harmonious system.
A Fresh Start for Your Time, Energy, and Space
Whether it’s clearing physical clutter, removing distractions from your environment, or streamlining your calendar, the act of decluttering is transformative. It’s about creating space—space to breathe, focus, and thrive.
Start small. Take 10 minutes today to:
- Declutter a drawer, desk, or digital folder.
- Identify one task or meeting you can delegate, simplify, or eliminate.
- Clean up your immediate surroundings by removing “labels” like old notes, emails, or to-dos that no longer serve you.
Every small act adds up, and soon you’ll feel the weight lifting, just as I did when I imagined that bin without its label—finally fitting into its space with ease.
Ready to declutter your time and energy? Discover the transformative impact of my Productivity Accelerator session. Let’s create a system that clears the clutter from your life and helps you focus on what truly matters. Click here to learn more and book your session.
