Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Something Has To Change

I'm going to make a plan. I'm going to make some changes. About once or twice a year, I get really fed up with the condition of my house. I'm at that point. I want to be able to invite friends over. I want to be able to have a playdate for my kids. I want to walk into my home and feel comfortable and not like the stuff is taking over. I don't know how I will fit it in. But it's time. I need to schedule a work day. Maybe 2. The kids will need to be out of the house. Jeff will have to work with me. I want my house to feel like home. Do you have areas of your life that need organization? Maybe it's your entire house. Maybe the play room. Maybe a bathroom. Maybe a household project you've been putting off. But it's time to take charge and get things done. I'm going to join in on Karen's Project 52. I need a weekly chance to update and show the improvements we are making.

I've had a couple of friends- friends that I wouldn't be embarassed to have in my house- offer to come over and help me gain back control. I'm considering taking them up on the offer. Maybe set a date for a month from now- which would give Jeff and I both time to make our best effort first. I posted about it over at MomsLikeMe and have already gotten some great feedback. I don't mind a cluttered house. But I do mind when the clutter is taking over. I feel out of control and like the house is pressing in on me. It isn't fair to my kids to have that kind of chaotic feeling environment. I need to grab the reigns and reel this puppy back in.

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15 comments:

C. Beth said...

I think we all have a level of clutter that becomes overwhelming (and for me, that level changes depending how stressed out I am.) I find that listening to that need to de-clutter definitely helps my peace of mind. But for me it's a nearly constant battle since I'm not a natural clean freak.

Shell said...

Accept the help from your friends! It will motivate you to do something about it- with help, you have to keep going until it's done and not put it off...which is what I usually end up doing.

Lola said...

Oh PREACH ON Sister! I seriously am so over it! The constant clutter that doesn't have a home is driving me nuts! I need a week with no kids in the way, a dumpster (albeit a small one) in my yard - a recycling bin and a donation truck nearby and I could knock it all out in a week. I want to do a huge purge of all the junk in our house- most of it would be very useful for others- just not to us anymore, but I don't have the patience for a yard sale- would rather give it all away. But time, ah sweet time....so hard to find it.

mimbles said...

You know how much I get this don't you? :-) I've just done my fridge and pantry today, yet again. I'm aiming for a deep de-cluttering of one room a month, February is the kitchen, next up will be our bedroom. We can do it!

If there's help on offer - take it! It's so much easier to keep motivated when you're working with someone else, I have my mum prodding me along sometimes, makes me much more efficient ;-)

Eternal Lizdom said...

I'm going to work on accepting the offers of help. It's probably a bigger hurdle for Jeff than for me.

@Lola I have said the same thing- give me a dumpster in my driveway for a week and then I can REALLY get some damage control going!!

Alison said...

Oh yeah, absolutely! Is Jeff part of the problem, or is he just as frustrated with it as you are?

My two bits of advice: less stuff (MUCH less), and systems that work!

Once you get things cleared out, it's easier to see how what's left will fit best. And it's important to think about how you use your space & the things in it. Miss Chef will clean & straighten the heck out of our pantry, but she puts anything anywhere, like the never-used rye bread flour in front of the cereal. As soon as one of us uses something, the place is a mess again.

Good luck; this is just like fitness; an everyday, change of lifestyle.

Beth Zimmerman said...

Whatever you do ... do not put it in boxes to deal with later! I now have at least 50 storage boxes in my master bedroom in addition to a full storage shed! I totally feel your pain but I think it would take the Clean House crew to tackle my mess ... not just a couple of good friends! :(

Nancy said...

I would be happy to come over and help.

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Girl, I'm just totally sick and twisted in this area. I'm a Type~A clean freak and any...I repeat any..clutter sucks the life outta me.

Hubs....not so much. I've given him a couple areas where he can pile. It still drives me nuts but I realize he lives here too! Heeehehe!

I have this sayin' about puttin' things up...two minutes now or two hours later.

God bless ya and have a great day sweetie!!!

Garret said...

Mimbles might have a great idea. Focus on one room at a time.

I hate clutter.

platanosandmangoes said...

Our pastor at church always says " if you haven't used it in 6 mths let someone else dust it!" I'm trying to do that!like you, i have some clutter spots and it drains me to even look at them!

Anne K. said...

My house tends to be a reflection of my inner state of being. When I'm feeling put together, the house looks great and when there's quite a bit of stress or change, it falls to pieces. Needless to say, with my Mom dying and having a baby, the house is a disaster. Since Mom lived here, all her medical equipment is still here and her personal belongings. I really need to go through them and have the med supply company come and pick up the supplies, but I just can't bring myself to do it until after the memorial service and possibly after her ashes are scattered. I need closure first and then I'm sure my home will reflect that.

Karen M. Peterson said...

I'm so excited you are joining us!

And I know exactly what you mean about the clutter being out of control. I can't stand being in my bedroom because it is stressful and not at all a place of rest and relaxation.

Kim said...

OUr basement is ususally the place we put all the stuff we don't know what to do with. It becomes unbearable and we must clean. I joined to follow you.

Anonymous said...

I will help. A dumpster isn't a bad idea. I have thought about it. I am garage selling this Spring...things are gonna go!