I said I wouldn't post again until after Christmas, then I did, didn't I? That's because I had scheduled that post and forgot about it. Old age and all that....
Anyway, here we are. Christmas has come and gone and the New Year is right ahead. I always have the urge to clean house this time of year. I mean, really clean. As in throwing out things and giving away things. It's become a tradition to start cleaning out drawers and cabinets and shelves the day after Christmas.
I don't often stop to think about it, but there's a reason for it. Cleaning out drawers and shelves shows me what I've wasted time and money on. Things I thought I wanted, things I saved to "do something with," things I was going to fix some day. Projects left over from last winter. Clothes that no longer appeal. Gadgets that I never found truly useful. You know what I mean.
When it's all cleaned out (I'm not through yet!), there will be such a feeling of relief, of freedom - and I will resolve, once again, to not clutter my life with things that are not important.
One of these years I will get it right.
Amen!! Me too.
ReplyDeleteYou said it so well - thank you.
ReplyDeleteI find that I accumulate clutter from projects that I was supposed to start but didn't.
ReplyDeleteI'm resolving to buy project supplies only on the days that I actually plan to use them, rather than buying things to use later.
Pat, my DD has a bday right before Christmas, and my DS has one right after. The New Year has always been a great time for my family to thin out the excess toys! (We donate them to charity. Our DD always felt good about sharing her things with children in need, and we hope to instill the same satisfaction in our young sons.)
ReplyDeleteThere's something about putting up the Christmas decorations that inspires a cleaning frenzy in me, too. I think I enjoy the less cluttered look in my house when the decorations have been put away until next year. That feeling inspires me to move on to other areas of my house ie: the closets and cupboards! Happy New Year!
I'm still in the middle of it... it's going to get worse before it gets better! I found a couple of old projects I decided to finish and keep having more ideas of what I can do and how to rearrange things.
ReplyDeleteIt's me again. Your post inspired me to thin out some closets. I made a BIG PILE of things to donate, and sent my DH on his way. It felt good to get the excess "noise" out of my life.
ReplyDeleteGood girl, Stacie! LOL
ReplyDeleteI am also doing the same thing. We decided as a present to my 16 ear old son that we would repaint his room. We started on Christmas Day and it took only one day to paint his room and three to clean it out!!! We finally finished it and it is brighter, uncluttered, organized and a relief to all! Now cleaning will be a breeze fro him! I cleaned the rest of the house before Christmas and yes it did get worse before it got better but it feels so freeing when it is all done! I also am on a mission to spend even less and save as much as possible. I already figure we have more than what we need so we don't have to spend much this year. The holidays coming up such as New Years and Valentines Days we won't have to really spend money to enjoy! We figure we will save as much as possible this year!!! Hoping this plan works!!
ReplyDeleteWhen you see all the clutter, it really reminds you (at least it does me) how much I DON'T need.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that Pat! My son has saved only those things he truly treasures in two containers and they are tucked away in his closets. I made him bowls to put his others stuff in and put on his shelf so that he can easily get to the stuff without it being all over the place. I took old vinyl records that I have had on hand and melted them into bowls. That way it looks good in his room and serves a purpose! It was easy to do and fun as well!!
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