Voicelessness and Emotional Survival > Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board
DeCluttering: Inspiration, Success Stories, Tips
lighter:
I'm on board with asking for help with decluttering spaces, Hops. YAY for you! It's easy for organized souls to walk, sans any personal attachment to our stuff, take things out of our hands, make piles and carry them off. I find they move so quickly, it overrides almost all the angsty pain of making decisions and letting go. The clean clear spaces left behind feel like sunshine after years of winter, IME.
It's interesting to relax into being very kind to self and ask what's behind it, but..... I don't really need to know why my brain is broken in this way, truth be told. It just is.
The problem then become..... how to notice when the patterns creep back in, wrestle them to the ground and banish them with systems......
paper flow baskets one keeps up with, something comes in, something must go out, etc. That kind of thing.
I'm so happty to read you're finding joy in clear clean bedrooms spaces this holiday, ((Hops.))
Lighter
Hopalong:
Thanks, ((((Lighter)))). It's a really big happy deal to commit to this process all the way.
Maintenance. YES. I noticed with her boss who came to evaluate and also with her (though she understood it more quickly) that they're both excited about new containers, closet systems, etc.
I explained that my #1 goal is DEEP PURGING. If we do that first, we can then organize or systematize what's left. But also that it might turn out that I'll be using cut-down cardboard boxes and similar DIYs for organization, rather than new lovely baskets. That's just about $$. Pretty containers in view but simpler solutions whenever possible.
Figured out that if I save up for a stacking washer/dryer set, I'd have half a big closet to use for shelves. As opposed to having gardening junk sitting by the door.
Yippee.
hugs
Hops
There's an old song...."I'm so excited, I just can't hide it...."
lighter:
Good on'ya for committing, Hops. I hope you end up finding space to organize your garden pile and every other pile, but know..... I'm comforted by my garden piles and containers. It's easier to garden when I see and can find my gardening tools. Same with food and cooking items.... and clothing.
So, figuring out how to shift into putting everything in it's place (out of sight) creates anxiety for me. Out of sight, out of mind, in my case. That might be something you're dealing with, as well.
As my mind shifts to the truly organized spirits in my life...... I come back to the importance of balance, again and again.
It's OK to need things at hand, but maybe brackets on walls and movable baskets that always find their way back to their home.
I haven't mastered it, so let me know what it looks like if you get there first.
Looks like you will!!
sKePTiKal:
Hopsie, I suspect your kitchen isn't any bigger than mine. Right now, mine feels like an overflowing dumpster of clutter!! (Not for long... I'm tyrranical about having space to work!!)
My secret is clearing all the flat surfaces. Yes, I do organize tightly sealed glass jars & boxes of tea around the wall side of the counter top and above the overhead cabinets. Everything has a "home" that has proven to work with how I cook and the limited space I have. Cooking utensils in a drawer; baking utensils & odds and ends in another flanking the stove. Silverware next to the sink (makes it fast to put it away) just below the dishes in an overhead cabinet.
Every once in awhile; and I'd say rarely; I realize it would be easier to keep things in different places. And I have permission to shift some things like the past few weeks - temporarily - while I'm baking.
The real monkeywrench in my usually organized space is living with another person who is still trying to find space for all his "odd bits" of gear, tools, snacks, etc. And even with established "this is your space" places... he still can't find things and fills up every available open flat surface I make.... harrumph! (Secret: that's how I KNOW he's home!)
It's helped that he understands how the clutter makes me anxious - and that the threshold can vary. But we've been so busy lately I am cutting both of us some slack because in the scheme of the world right now, it's JUST NOT that important.
Hope you & Pooch have a Merry Christmas!
lighter:
My brother keeps all his flat spaces clutter free...... they're "for tasks" and not for storage.
I have to admit.... clean clear space to work and live feels amazing.... feels better than having everything at hand, taking up flat spaces.
Balance..... it's a thing: )
Happy Holidays to the board!
Lighter
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