Projects in progress ~ are they holding you back?
I received a lovely inspiring email the other day from a reader that had an “aha” moment while clearing some clutter in her basement. I love to read these types of success stories. I hope you find it as motivating as I do.
I just had to tell you about my experience today while doing some cleaning out in my basement today. I was trying to clear out an area in my basement to make room for a repair man to come today. It turns out he canceled at the last minute, but I had cleared the area he had intended to do some plumbing work in. It was so nice to see that clear area of floor that it inspired me to keep going.
That cleared out space is now going to be a little exercise area for me. I have a small tv down there that no one is using right now and an old dvd/vcr that just plays dvd’s. I don’t need cable hooked up since I am just going to use it for exercise DVD’s. I actually exercised there today and I had a nice area to spread out and move.
I then went through some old Rubbermaid containers- they weren’t clear so I didn’t know what was in them. I found some old craft projects. Most of them are 1/2 complete (cross stitch quilts, baby bibs- which I don’t need anymore), cross stitch pictures for wedding presents- 1/2 finished except for the names and a few other stitches I don’t know how to do. I also had a quilted wallhanging that I had started during a quilt class I took 11 years ago. I had taken the class during the 8 weeks leading up to my wedding- what was I thinking. I fell behind in the class and didn’t get it finished during the class. I tried a few times to finish it before I had kids, but I needed help and didn’t have the instructor to help me. After 11 years it’s still not done and it bothered me that I didn’t finish it. I have moved onto scrapbooking and photography as my new hobbies., I have come to the conclusion that I can’t be good at everything and I can only have so many hobbies because of time constraints. It felt so good to box up all those 1/2 finished projects. I am going to donate them to the quilting/sewing group at church. It was such a “freeing” feeling to let go of those things and say to myself “it’s okay that I didn’t finish these projects, sewing just isn’t my thing.” I am good at other things.
I just had to share that with you. I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Clutter truly does weigh us down emotionally.
Lessons to be learned here:
Just starting is half the battle but once you do start use the motivation and elation you feel in your accomplishment to keep going. It is possible and you can do it.
Think about whether or not the space you have given your clutter permission to take over could be put to better use. Are you really willing to give up square footage of usable space in your home for stuff you “might” just use or need one day?
What about the life you are living right now?
Projects in progress can hold us back whether we are aware of it or not. Do you have projects that don’t interest you anymore, that have been cluttering up your space for years, yet you feel some sort of obligation to complete? Follow this reader’s example and let them go and feel the weight lift from your shoulders as a result. Go ahead, what are you waiting for?
Really stop and think about the power you are putting in the hands of your clutter. What kind of hold does it have on you and why are you allowing it to happen?
Make today the day you regain control. You can do it!
image courtesy of coco+kelley
Storage Star ~ Storage Chairs
It’s no secret that I love canvas bags! They are just so versatile and inexpensive. The other day I stumbled across a beautiful blog called Transforming Home. Danielle came up with a great way to keep the clutter off her dining room table using these canvas bags tied to the backs of her chairs. I just thought it was so clever. She purchased the bags from Hobby Lobby for $5.99 for a package of four and then revamped and decorated them beautifully to match her space. Check it out:
So great and I just love how she personalized them! I find the kids always have piles of things on the table…books, homework, small toys and treasures…the list goes on and on. This storage method totally takes care of this problem. Just imagine a clutter free table…ahhh such bliss!
For step by step instructions, be sure to check out Danielle’s post at Transforming Home. Congrats Danielle for being our first Storage Star of 2010!
Oh and while you’re over there visiting, check out Danielle’s solution for keeping school papers organized. Awesome!
Do you have trouble with clutter on your dining room table? What is the biggest culprit?
If you know someone who has come up with a clever storage solution for a common household problem send me an email with the link and nominate them!
Related post:
Canvas Bags and Carabiner Clips
PS: Just wanted to mention that Sandy from Reluctant Entertainer featured my fondue party post on her site earlier this week in case you wanted to check it out. Thanks Sandy!
The kids get their purge on
I’ve been a busy busy girl these last couple of days. Every year before Christmas I like to do a massive purge of all three kid’s rooms. I get the two big kids (12 and 10) set up in each of their rooms concentrating on one area at a time. I then move between the two rooms giving them guidance as needed.
For instance we started with their bookshelves and I said to them “go through your books and put aside any that you won’t read again or like”. So they got to work and I was really impressed at how well they did. In fact maybe too well. There were a few moments where I wanted to say, “This one? Are you sure?” because some of those books that were making their way to the “to go” box were some of my favorites (Judy Blume anyone?) from when I was a kid.
But my favorites don’t need to be their favorites.
I held my tongue because I want them to learn to make their own decisions. I want them to keep what they use and love and nothing else because after all it’s just stuff. To learn that lesson now rather than when they’re adults living in homes filled with clutter that they can’t bear to part with.
No I don’t want that for them.
My job is to facilitate the PROCESS. To walk them through the steps and help set up organized systems that work for them. We’ve been doing this since they were little and each time it gets easier and easier. They make up their minds faster and they know to work within their boundaries and limits. They have a better understanding of what it means to own stuff but not let that stuff own them.
Our “to go” pile:
I’m very proud of my kids. They were tough this go around. More so than any other time I think. We were all exhausted when it was done but it was so worth it and the lessons learned are what mattered the most.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.” Matthew 6: 19-21
The Cost of Clutter
You know clutter is a bad thing, but did you ever stop to think about all of its negative effects?
Clutter causes you to feel overwhelmed or depressed.
Clutter robs you of your energy.
Clutter steals 50% of your storage space.
Clutter makes life harder. You have to look longer, travel farther and dig deeper to find what you are looking for.
Clutter takes longer to clean.
Clutter costs you money. If you can’t find what you need, you will have to buy a replacement. Or, you may be paying to store your clutter.
Clutter makes it hard to think straight.
Clutter may affect how you feel about yourself. You may be self-conscious or feel guilty about your clutter.
Clutter can affect your relationships. For example, if you feel ashamed of your cluttered house, you may be less likely to invite friends and family for visits.
The above is an excerpt from Jennifer Ford Berry’s book, Organize Now!. This great book, organized by categories, provides a week by week checklist and guide to help you simplify your space AND your life. Each week a series of small goals are set for you and a number of tips are provided to help you reach each week’s goal. If you are struggling knowing where to start and overwhelmed with the magnitude of how much you need to get done, this book will help you focus on just one area of your home (and life) at a time so by the time you are done you are not only unburdened by your clutter but living your life with renewed purpose.
Organize Now! is the prize this month for participating in this month’s round-up.
Do any of the above costs of clutter resonate with you?
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