Welcome to Day 3 of my Write 28 Days series, “A Rich and Satisfying Life.”
Yesterday, I spoke of simple things everyone can do to create margin in their homes and lives.
Clearing out clutter is one of the most liberating, yet difficult, chores of all.
A raft of clutter weighs you down
One of Macmillan Dictionary’s definitions of raft is “a very large number of people or things.”
When the epic Flood of 2011 hit our home, I lived in a house stuffed with a “whole raft” of possessions. The night the water began invading our home, we each had to grab a laundry basket, put in a change of clothes and our most prized possessions to set off on a journey of wading water, climbing over sandbags, and straggling up over the hill to where we had had the foresight to park our cars, all the while balancing the baskets on our heads and shoulders.
It was very hard to decide what to take with us. Our daughter Elissa said, “I’m taking all my technology because that is what costs the most.” I ended up with my precious portable hard drive which I often say “contains my whole life.” Jim made sure to grab all his medications. Unfortunately, no one remember to grab the tote-bag full of Jim’s mother’s pictures that was sitting on the floor.
Thankfully, the water only went knee deep inside our home and lingered about 24 hours; then we spent the next few days dragging everything out. If we could salvage it, we stored it in my aunt’s basement. If not, it went into this huge dumpster we rented.
A Place for Everything
Fast forward three months: we had done what remodeling we could, and it was time to move back in.
I was so amazed to find how much stuff was coming back! I had thought since we had filled up a dumpster of things ruined by flood water, there would be plenty of room for the things we had rescued.
Not so! For days and days, my husband would haul over a few boxes from my aunt’s, and I would go through them at night after work. I was trying to find just the right place for our stuff and arrange it carefully without stuffing it in nooks and crannies. After a few days, I would cry when I saw the boxes to be unpacked that day. “NO, I don’t need anymore stuff!” I would declare. But something had to be done with each and every item.
Clutter creeps back
Eleven years later, I feel like it’s time to start throwing away again. You must be sober and vigilant or your enemy, clutter, will creep back in and devour you!
Last week, I purged two areas of excess items. I told one of my friends, “only 987 more areas to go!” I was just joking … it’s probably more like 587 more areas. But the truth is, I can’t do it all at once.
Don’t bite off more than you can chew
All this stuff didn’t arrive at my house at once. I can’t throw it all out in one fell swoop. Little by little, the job will get done.
Are you facing a task that seems larger than life to you? You might want to tackle it in small chunks like I’m doing.
Yesterday, I did a desk drawer. Now only 986 more areas to go!
I’m joining a host of writers participating in a Write28Days challenge sponsored by Anita Ojeda. My life being what it is, I’m starting 3 days behind, but writing 28 days does not have to be defined by the month of February. I’m simply promising to write for 28 days. If life interrupts, as it often does, I may have to skip a day here and there. The goal is to write 28 times on my subject, “A Rich and Satisfying Life,” consecutive, or not!
All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.
I’m linking this post to Grace & Truth.