We are moving!
Well, no, not really. Let me explain.
Lately, I have been feeling like I cannot remember anything and that I cannot find anything.
My house is filled with so much “stuff” so I feel like my brain is just trying too hard to keep up with everything. Between work and being a mom, organization tends to fall to the wayside. But it is starting to really get to me so I have to do something about it. I feel like I spend so much time looking for things because they don’t have a “home”. Meanwhile, if they just had a home, I would be able to put it away where it belongs once I use it.
The other issue that I have? I form an emotional attachment to everything. EVERYTHING! I don’t do well with getting rid of something that sparks a memory, whether it be a good memory or a bad memory. Why? Well, the good memory is obvious. The bad memory, though, serves as a reminder to me of something that I have overcome. It reminds me in my time of weakness to muster up the strength because I can get through it just like I did the last time. But the clutter is just causing too much stress now. Lord knows I don’t need anymore stress! I am severing the emotional ties to these items. They are items, not the memories themselves.
Are those all of the issues that I have? Nope! There are more! I do a great job of putting items in bags or boxes to donate but then I never actually donate them. They just sit taking up room and adding to the stuff and the clutter. If I was in the mindset to get rid of the items, I need to follow through and just part with them.
How am I going to get through all of this “stuff”? What do people usually use to move? Boxes, right? I have a box. I am going to go through each closet, drawer, shelf, cabinet, bin, file folder, you name it and empty out all of the contents into this box and go through them before I put them away. If I don’t need it, it goes either into the donate or trash or recycle pile. It gets put away if it is something I use on a regular basis. This way, the item will have a home. I will also have some helpers. I have recruited Dana (my fabulous sister) to help me. She is going to be the one to hold me accountable and to help me get through the items that I might have an emotional attachment to. I have even asked her to give me “homework” in between our organization sessions. Then there is also my little elf named Owen. I am planning on having him help with putting things in order, putting things in bags, and emptying out all those small hiding places.
When am I going to do this? Good question. Very good question. I switched jobs back in May so I am now working 5 days a week. Who am I kidding, though, because when I was working 3 days a week, those 2 extra days off were spent either mentally preparing myself for work or mentally recovering from work. Right now, I have a tendency of going to bed when Owen does. So at about 7:30 or 8 each nite, I take a shower and climb into bed and stare at Instagram and Facebook for about 2 hours until I fall asleep. While I thoroughly enjoy seeing cute pictures and videos of people’s kids, pets, vacations, meals, etc, I can use that time much more wisely by tackling a small project each evening. Then, on the weekends, I will dedicate a few hours to organizing as well – mostly the larger areas, like my basement, craft room, closets, etc.
How will I organize? I am going to go to the Dollar Tree and pick up some items to help me get a little more organized. Just some small storage containers with tops on them. I am also going to avoid round containers. I feel like they are a bit of a space waster, but that could just be me. One of the first things I am going to do is cut out some labels on some chalkboard vinyl that I have so I can use them to label containers and to use them on some jars in my pantry.
Lastly, I am also going to post some before and after photos. Public shaming seems as though it might work well for me. I am going to need a whole bunch of cheerleaders to keep me motivated and to encourage me to carry this out. I told my sister I wanted to have my house realtor ready by 2021 (without actually having a realtor or moving). I want to be able to have people over without being afraid that they will be crushed by an avalanche of “stuff” when they walk in.
As a side note, I am also working on emotional clutter. I tend to let some things bother me for a lot longer than they should. This year, I will work on removing that clutter. Whether it is an object or a person, if happiness and joy is not brought to my heart as a result of having this person or thing in my presence, then it just does not need to be there. In order to be the best mom, daughter, sister, friend, and co-worker, I need to surround myself with the people and things that bring peace to my heart. In 2019, I started to make that change. There is no room in my life for unnecessary negativity, drama, and anger.
Thank you for reading. Here's to a Happy, Healthy 2020! Sending you hugs~
Thank you for reading. Here's to a Happy, Healthy 2020! Sending you hugs~
"Keep the memories, not the clutter." - Me
