Further Thoughts on Clearing the Clutter
Last week, I posted about the itch to start hoeing out closets and tossing things I haven’t thought about or used since 1978. I made a tiny dent in the books last weekend and each day this week I have continued to chip away at it. I hope to complete the library overhaul at my house by Sunday and have multiple boxes of books to donate to the Public Library!
Next week, I plan to start with my closet and dresser drawers. This is never a fun prospect as it not only reminds me that I still don’t fit in those jeans from high school, but it also reminds me that I truly hate shopping. I think I hold on to 90% of these clothes, not because I truly think they will come back in style, but because as long as the closet is full, I don’t think I need to go shopping. I know, I know. It doesn’t make sense when I don’t or can’t wear half the clothes in there, but still, that is where my brain goes!
After that, I will move on to the tiny pockets of clutter that insidiously weasel their way into our home – the bathroom cupboard, the front closet, the cookbook cubby in the kitchen, my CD stash in the entertainment center… All of these areas will be hit over the next weeks or months. I am on a mission!
I am finding the cleaning out process to be cathartic this time. I have been so busy at work and am feeling that so much around me is out of my control with work, family, friends. I am feeling very overwhelmed and stressed about it. I feel like I have no time to devote to my writing and other interests. My cleaning spree is helping me attack and lay claim and control over a small corner of my universe; it is helping me to steady myself and find my footing again.
I have found a few more books (I KNOW! I am supposed to be getting rid of them…) 🙂 that you may find inspiring!
Your Spacious Self: Clear the Clutter and Discover Who You Are
A Year to Clear: A Daily Guide to Creating Spaciousness in Your Home and Heart
Get it Done: From Procrastination to Creative Genius in 15 Minutes Per Day
Breathing Room: Open Your Heart by Decluttering Your Home
I am truly feeling lighter each day I clean things out. We are not hoarders (yet!) 🙂 but even the collections of things we love can cause us to feel overwhelmed and overcrowded when life gets squirrelly! I will never be what you would call a minimalist. I love my books and fabric collection and musical instruments too much! But I am learning that I don’t need more books than I will ever read in a lifetime. Just because I bought it twenty years ago, doesn’t mean I have to keep it. I never realized my book collection of all things was making me stressed! Don’t get me wrong – I will probably still end up with more books than I will ever read, but there is always the next major hoe out to further dwindle the stacks.
What can you do today to clear your clutter?
What tiny step can you take toward making your surroundings lift you up instead of wear you down?
- Posted in: writing
- Tagged: babysteps, Cheryl Fassett, cleaning, clutter, creativity, depression, distractions, goals, inspiration, life, not writing, organization, spring cleaning, tidy, writer, writing
Catching Fireflies 
You go, girl! You can do it. I think de-cluttering usually shows that we have come a stage further in our development.
Since I had to live in a tent for three months, I am pretty good at de-cluttering. It’s not perfect, but I do it on a regular basis. And I’ve never been a big clothes person. I usually have two jeans, a week’s underwear and about seven shirts, and that’s it. Oh, I forgot two pairs of shoes. Even though right now I own 4!!!!! Imagine that. But I used to be a totally messy person as a teenager and child. Looks like I sorted a few things in my life after all :-).
We donated over 15 boxes of books to the library today! It barely made a dent but I feel good about it. I cannot imagine living in a tent! That would require some major downsizing!! 😊
I had it all stored but also left lots if things. Wow 15 boxes I am impressed :-). Well, done!!!!!