Aspiring towards Less is More ...

What do all these photos have in common?

Studio

Studio

Pantry shelf

Quilt Tops

Garage

Small Appliances

It's all aspirational clutter.  Things I aspire to use or have always wanted to do, thinking if I go ahead and accumulate the supplies, surely I will tackle the desire.  Ha!  A lot of things accumulated back in the "Martha Stewart Wannabe Days" are still hanging around.  More recently, it's art project paraphernalia and canning jars!

I've been re-reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, while awaiting arrival of her newest book, Happy at Home, which arrived yesterday!

Gretchen  writes about many types of clutter:

Nostalgic Clutter: relics clung to from an earlier life ... in my case, useless things that evoke memories or (I'm afraid) guilt, if I toss it. Yes, there are a few boxes of memorabilia in my garage ... along with a few dollhouses I built many years ago.   IN MY GARAGE.  Does that tell you anything?  I made a decision to use it or lose it ... give it a place in my home where it can be used or enjoyed or let it go.  I made a decision.  Haven't gotten around to acting on it yet.  ;-)

Conservation Clutter (aka recyclable clutter):  things I've kept because they're useful ... in may case, containers, vases, old pillowcases.  Yes, Colleen!  Those containers!  I tossed over half of the containers.  I may not use them all at once, but when you need a good jug or just the right size jar ... they do come in handy.  And, who does not have a cabinet or shelf full of old floral vases?  I confess.  I did.  I sent them all to Goodwill.  Now, I have a cabinet of good floral vases.  No! Really!  Nice ones ... like Tuesday Morning and TJ Maxx nice. I haven't counted them, but if anyone needs extra vases for a wedding or something, I'm your go-to gal!  Or, clear serving containers, or pewter trays ... [clearing throat].  Still wondering about the pillow cases, eh?  When I was actively participating in outdoor art events, I used old pillowcases to slip framed originals into to keep from scratching the frames.  They still come in plenty handy for all kinds of things, so they are still hanging around.

Bargain Clutter:  unnecessary things bought home because they were on sale.  No!  I don't carry on this type of behavior, although it is in my bloodline.  On the other hand, my husband will buy nine measuring tapes at a time if he finds a good deal (have to excuse this one since he uses them daily in his line of work, as does every single one of his employees), as well as his once-a-year fishing rodeo splurge on white t-shirts which are like his off work clothing of choice.  Uhm.  Wait.  If I find a pair of shoes I love, I will go back and get another pair just like them right away.  It's justifiable when you have an orthopaedic issue. Oh, never mind that .... the topic was 'unnecessary things' after all ... so, none of the above really counts.  But, just ask my sisters about my Mom's Bargain Clutter issues!!

Freebie Clutter: gifts, hand-me-downs and giveaways.  The scenario goes something like this:  Daughter de-cluttering her home sends smart phone message with photo and caption "want this?" or "want this back"?? .. to which, not giving it much thought, I respond "sure" ... it ends up at (back at) my house.  Then, often ends up at someone Else's house!  The circle of clutter life!!

Crutch Clutter:  things we keep/use, but know we shouldn't.  The worn out night-gowns.  Paint or grease or soil stained t-shirts.  Hey! Why mess up a clean one when I'm heading to the studio, kitchen or garden?  Raggedy, no-support left in them tennis shoes.  Ha Ha! I bet you thought I was gonna say bra, didn't you?!!

Buyer's Remorse Clutter:  Hanging onto something  you shouldn't have bought until it gets enough age on it to justify what you spent for it in the first place.  I'm not going there!


Okay, now that we've settled that and you've learned more than you wanted to know about varietals of clutter, take a look at the next photo and then go back and look at the last photo posted above labeled "Small Appliances".  Notice anything?

Between the Kitchenaid mixer and the Food Saver ... an identical box.  Two food choppers.  Yep.  This is what happens with clutter of all kinds.  Things get lost misplaced.  It wasn't even lost.  One has never been used.  The other has, but it goes back into the box because it's easier to store.  [shaking head back and forth, back and forth].

* * * * * * *

Visit The Happiness Project site when you get a chance.  

I came across it several years ago and visit regularly!
The site isn't about digging yourself out of the throws of depression.
For me, it's been a 'less is more' and 'consistent daily routine' message.

Get your hands on Gretchen Rubin's books.  They are motivational reading!! 

 I often tell myself when attempting to procrastinate ... just do it!  

I especially love her 10th Commandment: 

Do what ought to be done!

and while you're at it, make your bed!

The Happiness Project

Happier at Home

This is another old draft that never got published ... this was drafted nearly a year ago ... funny thing is when I find an old draft and post it, it appears as the most recent post.  This one has a little age on it!  I can report .. that I have recovered my "peaceful place" both externally and internally!

I confess.  I haven't been doing the "seek ye first" thing lately.  Perhaps that explains why my focus is off. Way off.  Blessings abound, yet the melancholy has set in.  The busy-ness of life has served as a distraction.   I've slowed things down significantly over the last six months and still have things on my to-do list that need to be dropped.  One thing at a time.  I miss my quiet space.

That would be the chair in my guest room where I used to read and meditate on the direction my life has taken.  I miss it because that room has become a dumping place for things that have no other place.  Things too nice to send packing to Goodwill or consignment shops.  It was, a short while back, where my grandbaby took her daily naps.  Now she naps in the playpen in the living room.  I've got to declutter that room so it can be a quiet place for me again.  But first, I've gotta balance my checkbook and get some things in the mail, and work on a painting commission and water the plants on my back porch, and get the laundry outta the dryer, and ..... .   This is the cycle I must break. 

I came across a blog this morning while looking for an image of a snail, of all things!  Coincidence or not.  I found Seek First His Kingdom at  http://rachellegardner.blogspot.com/.  January 2010 the blog went on a hiatus, silent if you will. But, if you have the time to check out the archive, it's worth it.  Lots of inspiration!

Clutter Busting.  The word sends chills up my spine. What is it about that word that is intimidating?  And do advertisers think we should only be prompted once a year to toss the things we haven't used in ions?  Shelves and organizing bins and storage systems magically appear barely within seconds of New Year's Eve kisses, as well as magazine covers which expect us to start tossing and organizing remnants from a year that only seconds before became our past  I disagree.  I believe we should edit, edit, edit, daily!  If looking a the pile brings on anxiety, it needs to go .... not a minute sooner than right NOW.  And don't leave it sitting by the front door for three months waiting on your teenage daughter to haul it to the drop box either.  It ain't happening!  Trust me on that one!  Clutter causes me stress.  Not being able to find something causes me stress.  I can deal with it in a timely manner through out my house ... except for my studio and garage.   Both locations seem to be a dumping ground for whatever needs to leave the house.  Need I say more? 

That said, I ventured onto the infamous Clutter Busting a couple years ago and continue to peek in for insight into this chaotic phenomenon of letting go.  They have certainly kept me from derailing and imploding.  Take a stroll over to their website and find them on Facebook too for periodic tips!!  You'll learn something you didn't know before!  I'm sure of it!  Just, please don't tell Brooks that my studio is still in waiting mode. : }

My favorite line from the site is "TAKE BACK YOUR SPACE".



http://bestcupcakerecipes.blogspot.com/



CLUTTERBUSTING
http://brooks-palmer.blogspot.com/

 


http://jenniferandtyler.blogspot.com/



http://www.stampington.com/index.html

Dream Closet!!!  I want a closet like Carrie's on Sex and the City!  I'm saying this as I click my ruby red heels three times!  But! Alas!  I'll settle with mine - when it's organized!  Which, lately, it hasn't been!

Monday was "tackle the closet" day! I have procrastinated on this project for seven months.  It was time to let go.  Even the box full of classics that I will one day fit into was taken away. 

 After removing all the hanging and piles of folded items  my bedroom looked like a freeze frame from the last episode of Hoarders and tearing into the new hangers, the process of elimination began.  I was determined to use the 36 new hangers and everything else had to go.  Ha Ha!  That was doomed for failure from the beginning!  I ran out of hangers fast!  I know where they stay though and will get more! 

For the longest time my husband had the larger custom closet and I had the standard 2x6.  Our home had two small bedrooms and two large bedrooms.  I finally talked him into combining the two small bedrooms.  He decided since my closet backed up to the closet in the next room we would combine the two and give me a larger closet.  I suggested just going all the way across that end of the adjoining room.  Yay!  Now I have the larger closet!

This venture became an all day and into-the-night project.  I was somewhat grateful when my husband came home mid-day and told me he was heading to the camp for the night. I was able to take my time and finish cleaning off the bed, which I accomplished during commercial breaks from The Event! I loaded down a rod in my car with over 100 garments on hangers and 30 more items in a box for a friend to donate to their church closet. After my granbaby girl left I headed for Lowes to get shelving and struggled with that for an hour or so, which got the hat boxes off the floor and resulted in a couple of minor injuries. Of course, you know how one thing leads to another? I had already eliminated a shelf in the hall closet to hang all of my jackets and sweaters which meant I needed a location for all the extra pillows to land (since I took their shelf) and decided to add an upper shelf to the guest room closet. Tomorrow! Tomorrow! There's always tomorrow!



                 The gadget below is one of my favorite things!
                  I think I found these at Tarzhay a/k/a/ Target! 
                                              Love em!

And another fave! 

These expandable racks are perfect for

hanging bags and scarves!!

Every closet needs a couple of pretty things, don't ya think?



Stuff! Stuff! Stuff!

We all have it! Clutter! Paper trails! Dust bunnies! Well, for me, dust bunnies are clutter. I hate stuff. I hate piles, although my filing system is more like a piling system. I'd rather just close the door to the clutter same as I do my daughter's bedroom. Outta sight, outta mind. Or is it? No, unfortunately, it's skipping around in my head when I'm looking for something that is out of place. I'm basically a perfectionist. You know, the kind of person who procrastinates until there is a large enough block of time to do it and do it right? That's me. I'm not OCD about anything except doing it right. Well, maybe I do go a little out of kilter when I'm expecting company ... or so my girls' say. I suppose I, like 90% of the country, have too much stuff to begin with. My art supplies and equipment aside (cause that doesn't count here), realistically, I have too many dishes, to may floral arrangements, too many seasonal decorations and too many shoes. Really. I collect serving pieces probably because I love color and pattern. I've tried parting with some as gifts with food items. But I bring home more than a give away. Floral arrangements are seasonal and sit on the shelf in my garage when out of season ... the 3' x6' shelf. Yes, it's full. As far as the decorations, another collection issue. I've already gone thru the shoes and eliminated over a dozen pair because of a foot issue. No, I'm not telling how many are still there. Nope!

I know I'm not in this alone. This website has helped me to be reasonable about clutter. Well it's a start anyway. Check it out. They are on Facebook too. Clutterbusting! Not for the faint of heart!

http://www.clutterbusting.com/

Studio Re-Do in Progress!

Emptying the studio (filling the dining room in the process) in an attempt to re-vamp and organize. Over the last three years, accumulation of art supplies, resource materials and ephemera have taken over, leaving no space to be creative. So, everything was moved out of the studio and into the dining room. The only thing left were the work tables and shelving. After rearranging a few things and making a list and sending a car load home with a fellow artist, I'm beginning to get back into the groove of painting and creating!

While running errands over the weekend I decided to make a few stops at tag sales. I saw an estate sale sign and had to go back! The lady asked what I was looking for. I told her old jewelry, KJV large print Bibles and shelving I could hang on a wall. "No, none of that" she said as I stared into the garage. She told me there were things inside for sale as well. I immediately asked about these shelving units. I desperately needed flat storage in my studio. After wheeling and dealing with the guy in charge, they loaded them up with 1/16th of an inch to spare in the back of my Tahoe! IT was meant to be and has found a new home! No more digging thru piles for mats, bags or paper! I can also use a couple of the shelves for drying space for oil pieces! Yay!

Storage Boxes are on Sale!

The Christmas season is coming to an end as we usher in the new year. Trying not to have the Christmas blues while facing the almost insurmountable task of taking down and putting away the decorations. I desperately need to go through the boxes and pass on things I no longer display. I so need to get over the "I may use this one day" mentality. The space those "I may need this one day" items takes up is ridiculous. I suppose we always begin thinking about organizing and purging when a new year is cresting. I think about it all year long. My garage is a wreck with Christmas boxes, art show equipment, cardboard boxes, gardening equipment, dollhouses I can't part with, exercise equipment, seasonal decorations. The list goes on and on and on. My husband commented the other day "You can't find anything in this house" obviously oblivious to find anything in the man cave. My thoughts were "If ya'll put things back where you found them, they'd be there next time you need them" instead of just dropping it where you used it. My tape dispenser is never in my studio cause my daughter uses it for scrapbooking. Perhaps Santa should have thought of that. The dog leashes are never put back in the space provided, therefor we all search for them when the dogs need to go out.

There is so much to do to keep a home organized. It doesn't get done by itself. Professional organizers tell us to purge and buy all these cute boxes to store things in. I suppose that balances it out, huh? Purge then buy. {shaking head}

Among the other daily routines I have no control over, I am determined to tackle this issue one room at a time. Top to bottom. Left to right. Keep, toss, give away, store. Then there's the outside to deal with. Dang! My car hasn't been washed in three months. Add that to the to-do list.

Looking on the bright side: I have til December 31, 2010, to finish this to-do list. That's a good thing since household chores tend to run in a never-ending chasing your tail, pick-up, put-up, shut-up and just do it cycle, while throwing in a little procrastination here and there.