We talk a lot about finding balance in our lives. Work/life issues seem to keep intruding on each other. Yet whether it is in the office or at home, one element that can create stress is clutter. The more things you have, the more you have to do to keep up with them and this directly affects time management attempts. Simplifying your life in any way can help you find more balance. Granted, one person’s clutter can seem like open spaces to another. The key would be how you feel when you walk into a room. If the room seems oppressive or closed in, maybe you need to look around and see what can be moved. Small spaces can seem larger with less in them while the opposite is also true. As I consult in offices, I find that even the simple act of clearing off a bulletin board can make a room feel more open.It is easy in our consumer society to suddenly end up with more possessions than you can or will actually use. If you find yourself in a situation where you want to get rid of something, you can donate it to a locate charity or you could check on FreeCycle, a nonprofit network with localized email lists. You can post the items you no longer need. Members will email you and arrange a time for pickup. As with other internet connections, do take some precautions in arranging any transactions. You might meet at a public place or leave an item on the porch without indicating whether or not you will be home at the time.