Sunday 8:00 AM
I decided to finally tackle some big chores today. No bike riding. No car drives. I need to finish off some items - they are weighing on my mind!
Therefore I am in the process of cleaning out the spare room bedroom closet. I never had a spare closet before, our homes were always old - which translates to small closets - if they existed at all. Every year I had to transfer summer clothes and winter clothes from attic to closet and back again. HARD work as closet and attic were a house apart with two steep staircases in between.
Now I have a spare closet and as soon as we moved into this house 6 years ago - I claimed it. Filled it with the summer clothes or winter - as the season demanded. But slowly, as life changed it became a closet of "when I lose 5 pounds" or "I love this even tho' it doesn't fit" or "I can't get rid of this even if I don't like it - mom gave it to me" . But in the past 6 years my beloved dog died, and I stopped those long rambling doggie walks. I broke my ankle. Grace and her family moved to NH - not as much play time with the boys. Went hypothyroid. Other nasty upsetting things have happened. And I gained weight and truth be told...got just plain FAT!.
Now, I'm facing it all. Bike riding and the gym for exercise. Minimal carbs. Thyroid meds. I feel like I am getting myself back. I've got a long way to go - and I do slip and slide my way to a "goal".
So I decided to tackle the spare room closet. It's daunting - for even though it is a regular sized closet I can manage to stuff enough clothes for a small nation inside. I use those vacuum bags - wow!
Leaving this house is the olive green skirt that has NEVER fit - as well as the puke green outfit that my red haired mom bought for me. (we have such different coloring). Also going are the pants that are too big - it's silly to pay 20 - 30 dollars to get them taken in and up when someone else could use them - and trust me - they are nice pants. I see how many tops I have - and I know that I only bought that many because the bottoms didn't fit. Out they go if I know I won't wear them.
It's daunting but therapeutic. I don't know if I will finish. I'm tired already,....
Monday AM
I ache from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet. Not only did I clean that closet, but redid my main closet and the two coat closets. I have 4 giant bags going to Goodwill; more for the book dropoff place. I also decided to tackle all the things that I wanted to get finished, so I planted...and weeded...and finished a sweater...and straightened up my basement studio...organized my ATC's and wrote some letters. It was one of those days where you can't really see the fruits of your labors - but you know that it's done...and it feels good. I have been ignoring the need to organize for a long time. But it's not just organization - it's moving forward; accepting; planning; deciding. Does that make sense to anyone?? Have you done this yourself?
The boys are coming down next weekend to help redo and organize (again that word) the garden shed and perhaps the garage. We are hiring them for the day as they'd like to earn a bit of money this summer. I'm having them take everything out of the shed, sweep and vacuum, move things around and then put it all back in. I'm hoping for a warmish day, but not too hot. Slightly overcast would be nice - can anyone help me arrange this?
Someone told me that cleaning and organizing your space shows the need to control something in a world that is fairly uncontrollable. Frankly, I agree. I find it therapeutic to know that when I open that closet door, it won't be overwhelming; unlike opening the door on a confusing world. It's also about letting go and moving on in my opinion.
Next to go...the overflow in the studio....getting rid of stuff I bought when I started this art journey a few years ago. I no longer need or use the inks that I bought or paper or embellishments. Some lucky Goodwiller will get those. For me the trick is making the pile and getting rid of it quickly - otherwise I start to go thru it and it all moves back into it's original home.
It felt good to clean like that for a day...and it feels good to write about it.
17 comments:
you did a lot! goodness. i fail to see anything negative about cleaning out a closet etc. clearing out the old to make space for the new. accepting that the self of X years ago was a different self from today. offering things to others who may use and love them. all great. which goodwill store is that?
Sounds like you are cleaning out your mind as well as your physical spaces. What a healthy and good thing to do. I need to do this when I get home.
HCM my friend.
decluttering is very very powerful, physically, mentally and emotionally. YOU GO GIRL! this will change everything. been there- and it is sooo therapeutic. so this summer when/if you get to london, i am going to see a new mim! yay!
Oh, good for you! Sounds like you got a mess load of things accomplished. I know that is part of my problem now, everything needs going through, cleaning out and I lack the physical ability to do it all. Your ATCs are awesome!
I am impressed with how much you tackled in one day/weekend? Wow.
I too love when I do this...it feels so cleansing, renewing.
I felt accomplished just cleaning, scrubbing really, my shower floor and glass doors (with used dryer sheets btw do wonders for soap scum). You have inspired me. It's time for me to attack my closet, drawers, but OH NO, not the art supplies yet. One day, but not yet.
I'll never live long enough to use them all, all that fabric. But I wouldn't know how to part with any of it yet, I have just begun.
What an inspiration. You almost talked me into getting busy with getting my summer things aired and put away. Way to go girl. It does feel good to get these things done.
I'm really impressed by your progress Mim! I've thinned out my closet three times this year. Now that we're making the 'big move' I'm releasing stuff with abandon! I have to say I like paring down. I love making piles to give away and I love throwing stuff out that I thought I had to keep forever. Like Suki said, out with the old to make room for the new.
Today I was cleaning out the room I use for my computer It's torn upside down at the moment because I can't seem to stay focused on a project until it's done. Can you get ADD later in life? If so, I've got it!
When there's a big move in front of you, most of your descretion goes out the window with your stuff. It's just easier sometimes to let it go.
And "when " I lose the weight I will deserve to buy a whole new wardrobe anyway!
So before I start whining, let me just say again, great job!!
mim oh mim oh mim. what you are doing is AWESOME. unclutter your closets and you unclutter your mind. i believe that.
so i'm thinking you might also want to join me as a babe? i wonder what the rules to the babe club would be...
ps thanks for your incredible words and support on my blog about my book. i can't wait to hug you.
Good for you! Me...I'm like the little girl who cried wolf...after a while, no one is going to believe I'm ever going to get to cleaning my basement!
I go through these decluttering jags whenever I felt the need for more control. But I've also come to realize that this act also clears the way for the new that is waiting in the wings for me to make room and space. We shed the old and no longer useful for the new that now fits us perfectly after a lot of change.
doesn't it feel great? i have spent a lot of time over the last two years cleaning out our parents' homes, closing down a huge studio/shop and clearing out my own house and it has been a huge psychological and emotional decluttering as well. yay for you!
I bought this Olive Green pants suit once ... it was a size too small but it was on sale really cheap and was some famous designer. I never was able to fit into it and finally donated it to goodwill last year. Here's to cleaning out our closets!
I commend you! Hooray! It's nice to have goals. I've given up on trying to lose weight. I'm too old and I work too hard all day to work some more when I get home. I used to feel about weight loss the way you describe cleaning and organizing: trying to control something. So I guess I'm totally out of control now.
At least your way, you get to have a clean house!
yup saw renee's post, i always visit tessa, she is awesome and i will definitely buy one of them for the charity. isn't the bloggy world amazing???
Good morning, Mim!
I have chosen you to receive an award for having "One Lovely Blog". You can pick it up at my blog, Tennessee Memories.
Judy
What an inspiring post. Now if I could only muster up the energy to go clean out my studio! trouble is, every time I start, I get interested in some art project or other...
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