“What you’re supposed to do when you don’t like a thing is change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it. Don’t complain.”As written by Maya Angelou for Success
Part of my talk I did a couple of weeks ago included how important it is to pay attention to our inner dialogue. As you go about your day really pay attention to how you are feeling and reacting to situations and things in your life. When do you find yourself tensing up, getting upset or even angry or putting yourself down? It is important to recognize when this is happening to you and, if you can, do something about it.
Let’s look at some examples:
Does it bother you to open a cupboard and have something fall out on your head?
Does it bother you to miss appointments or be late to an event?
Does it bother you to be constantly looking for things?
Does it bother you that your kids don’t help out around the house?
Does it bother you that your meals are unhealthy?
Does it bother you that you don’t have time for yourself?
Does it bother you every time you have to see the vase you received as a gift from your Aunt June?
Does it bother you that your dining room table is too full of clutter to enjoy a family meal together?
Does it bother you enough to do something about it?
The answers will be different for everyone. Each of our families have their own set of unique circumstances and what we each consider to be important and that is OKAY. As well, so many things in our lives we don’t have control over but do you realize that all of the things above you CAN do something about. Take some time to pray and ask God to give you some direction with your daily priorities, talk with your husband to see what is also important to him and use all of this information you have gathered as your motivation to make some solid changes in your life.
Start with one thing at a time, just don’t keep doing what you’ve always done and except different results. It just doesn’t work that way. If we take a little time to really look at our situations and do a little planning and practice a little (or maybe a lot) of discipline we CAN change the behaviors or areas that drive us insane and cause our homes to be out of balance.
What’s causing me to be cranky this week is all my pictures that need printing and filing that I’ve gotten behind on again. So I’m going to concentrate on getting this done even though the project seems so huge it’s overwhelming to me and I don’t want to do it. I’m not going to get ahead of myself though, I’m just going to break it down into manageable steps and keep doing “the next thing”.
What one thing is bothering you the most right now and will you join me in doing something about it?
The Lazy Organizer says
I have a whole day planned tomorrow for getting those little bothersome things done. Doesn’t it sound so fun!
Avlor says
@Lazy Organizer
But won’t it feel good to have them done? Think on that part.
@Laura
I used to scrapbook and had to print out my digital pictures and then organize and prep them. I stopped doing it because I found it was more fun to share the pictures online and ultimately cheaper too. The trade off is I add keywords to the photos and have to upload them. But for me it takes less time. Right now I’m using zenfolio as an online storage place. I just email my family (all out of town) and let them know there’s new pictures and what the family login is. I print only pictures I do of the kids for the grandparents for holidays and b-days. Dunno if that would help, but thought I’d chime in.
My “bugs me” thing today is my information wall in my dining room. I just figured out how to deal with all the papers I tape to the wall. I’m sewing a strip of fabric with small “pockets” that I can use a clothes pin or some other clip to clip my papers to the fabric strip that will hang on the wall. Anxious to see how it turns out.
Sheila Gregoire says
Laura–
Great post! I think many women just find the whole organizing/housekeeping thing so overwhelming that they don’t know where to start.
So why not start with something small? Clean a drawer for 15 minutes, or do anything for just 15 minutes. It will make you feel great, like you’ve accomplished something huge. And 15 minutes a day can make a huge change!
Visit To Love, Honor and Vacuum today!
Scratchin' the Surfa says
You had two great quotes here – one is ‘if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it’ which I posted on my fridge two winters ago. I surely can’t change a single day of how long winter lasted but I could embrace it. Then ‘don’t keep doing something and expect different results.’ Dave Ramsey puts it this way: “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”, he was talking about how to handle money, but it applies. So yesterday I erased the chalk board from ‘making progress every day’ and wrote ‘get ‘er done!’ – time to really buckle down and finish that project that has been going on forever. You’re right – attitude, how we think about things, makes all the different in the outcome. Thanks for the encouragement, as always.
Erin K says
The one thing that is bothering me the most right now is my desk. I’m at work right now and my desk (and desk drawers, and email inbox) are FULL of procrastinated decisions. It’s bugged me for weeks, and your post made me stop in my tracks and wonder why I’m allowing it to continue. Why not just deal with it?? Sheesh!!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Sarah S. Chicken says
Thank you for this reminder. A few weeks ago I asked my husband what two household chores he would like me to keep on top of. One was his laundry, and the other was keeping the kitchen sink clean. If I can do those two things I will be keeping him happy, and I can add the living room to it to keep me happy. If everything else is out of order it doesn’t matter. It has actually helped me do more rather than less, amazingly enough.
Susanne says
I had so many big spring cleaning plans that are now on hold. But one thing I can work on is getting those recipe books I was working on finished.
Stephanie @ Keeper o says
Thank you for this post, Laura, it was exactly what I needed to hear this morning.
There are several things about my schedule and just life in our household in general right now that are just not working for me, and yet I have just not been willing to sit down and take the time to really, truly consider it and bring it before the Lord. Instead, I allow myself to continue to be bothered and frustrated, which is actually stealing more of my time and productivity that pausing to consider how I can actually change the situation.
I needed that little shove to get me going on this… thanks, you wise woman, you! 🙂
sandra says
Great post Laura, thankfully for me since I just moved last week everything has been forcefully spring cleaned LOL
But there are small projects that do need my attention, I think I’ll do those 🙂
Kat ? The Burb Blog says
try Shutterfly! I will NEVER scrapbook again!
Annie says
It bugs me that I couldn’t come and visit yesterday because of snow….maybe tomorrow!!
Queen B says
Preach it, sister!
I love this post. Thank you. I think I’m going to print it and put it in my calendar.
I am heading straight to my daughter’s closet. I’m going to fix it.
Michele says
I am constantly amazed at how many small things there are that are annoying and easy to fix once you prioritize them. Every time I tackle one, I say to myself “Why did I live with that for so long?”
Laura says
Oh Michele you are exactly right! I hear that time and time again when I help clients and friends in their homes. It doesn’t take a lot of time to start noticing results with a little planning and prioritizing.
Jason says
My fridge is the biggest thing bugging me at the moment. I have tentatively scheduled it for a Friday cleaning. It needs to be cleaned out (old food etc.) and cleaned up (major wipe down.) Last weekend I did the freezer and boy does it look great, if I do say so myself.
Candace (Mama Mia) says
Great post Laura!! I needed to hear this. You’d be proud of me – I have a huge purge pile going to our local thrift store this weekend. I’ll be sending some of my friends over to check this post out.
BeccaM says
I need help-desperately!!!! I love your web site and can’t wait to dig in and read everything (just found you/your site), but I wonder if privately (email) I could communicate with you concerning some issues I am having in the organizational department?
BeccaM
Serene says
Thanks for this reminder. I HAVE been complaining a lot lately 🙁 I should just get off my butt and get moving!
So glad to have found you!
Serene
Peg Graham says
I love this! I just realized that if I put things on my calender, they’ll actually get done, because I have prioratized them and gave them some importance.And…I’m not complaining about it, because I know it WILL get done on it’s scheduled day!!! Thanks!!!!
example:
*Clean desk- Thur. 12 noon
*Organize bathroom cupboards-Fri. 10am
*Plant flowers- Sat. 9am
Kim says
My Friend – you never cease to bring a smile to my face…you are such a joy to witness at work. You know I love your blog, and although I am more the reno-bug than the organizational-bug, you have helped me in so many small ways. Since reading your blog this past year, when I look back over the time, I would say you have influenced me in a way that has changed “how” I live and think about things. You are truly an inspiration to other people which I know is your primary purpose and heart work. When I read how other people are inspired by you, and how you affect their lives I am amazed. What you are doing is working – it really is. It is one thing to be a great friend in “our land”, but to be a great friend to people in blogland – that is the greatest friend! I am blessed to know you, and honoured to call you friend! ysic, K.
Laura says
My craft room is horrible. I can’t even walk in there. Last night I had a scrapbooking night at my house which was supposed to have a couple of ladies but they all cancelled. Every time I went into my room to find something I couldn’t find it. I actually ordered something from stampin up that I already had (a pair of scissors). and then I found it after I got the new pair. Last night I looked for one of my punches and the jumbo handle for the stampin wheel and guess what? It’s missing. I don’t know where to even start to get rid of all the clutter I have accumulated in the 10 years I’ve been scrapping. My other problem is I don’t have much free time as my calendar is booked big time. I really need to just set a timer and tackle that room a little each day.