May 20
For three years we have been in a state of disorganization
and remodeling. If anyone has moved and
lived in the house during remodeling, you understand completely the stress and discombobulation
that I describe.
The house is nearly complete. There are some smaller projects that need
doing but for now, we are taking a building break. Once the upstairs was “finished” I started
opening boxes and putting things away.
Apparently, I need to purge some more.
I am so overwhelmed with the organizing at this point.
I have followed along with Cas Aarsen of Clutterbug. https://clutterbug.me/get-started
Purchasing her book has allowed me to read slower and digest
her advice. I have been an organizer
from childhood practically and am trying desperately to drop excessive
habits. I am Cricket in her test, with
some crossover bits of a ladybug. I am
trying desperately to be a patient Cricket, waiting for perfection by first
macro-organizing. Apparently, according
to Cas and I identify with what she is suggesting, I am an overthinker and an over
organizer…for now. This process is difficult
for me. She has in her blog and videos suggested that I first MACRO organize. In
the middle of this wonderful exercise of using a big bin and putting everything
in it for this one subject, for example, sewing machine accouterments. , I find I am putting smaller
boxes in that big box that is supposed to be for general organizing. Stopping that micro-organizing is a bit of a
challenge. I sort into different categories. Don’t let me get started on miniatures, paleez!
When I first moved from the “big house “I downsized by half. The first decision was to define what I
actually wanted to do in hobbies as it was apparent, I was not going to
continue down the road of doing everything I pleased. (Anyone who is into doll making or costuming
knows it is hard to give it all up as we use all those skills in this one
pursuit.) I pared down ruthlessly. Not quite enough, though. Getting my 30’ X 15’ hobby room to a 12’ X
12’ room was excruciating. I wound up
using a wall in the garage as well.
Not long after that endeavor, we moved again. The space is similar, but the rooms organized
a different way. Here we go again! I
still have too much.
Am working on divesting myself of dolls, miniatures,
fabrics, tools, excess projects, it is a chore.
So, my friends, I have been overwhelmed with sorting, purging, donating,
trashing (why did I save that piece of paper or that inch of fabric? And no, it cannot become an inchie art
piece!)
Upstairs in this “new to us” home, there are three
rooms. One is a nice guestroom for us, the
second is a similar in size third bedroom.
This to be my sewing room as it has a large picture window. And finally, the bonus at the top of the stairs
is a closet built into the rafters and finished off. This is my stock room. Well, it will be when I finish as right now
the whole house feels like my stockroom.
The bedroom is a sorting and stacking station for each “leg”
of the organizing. The stockroom is
still sort of a hide it space, and I am working on it, box at a time. I have a large organizing chest from a Paula
Deen furniture collection, and now 6 Alex cabinets. The taller 9 drawer ones. They are currently in a state of reorganization,
too. The hope is when I am finished and labeled,
that the cabinets will all be straightened out and everything centered, and
pretty. (I want pretty so badly!)
Frankly, the overwhelm has frozen me from doing the things I love. I have pulled three unfinished projects and taken them downstairs. Removed from the mess upstairs, I am working on those projects. The break is greatly needed.
And if you are unaware of Cas and the Clutterbug theories,
you can click on the link above and watch her show Hot Mess House, https://www.hgtv.com/shows/hot-mess-house. Or stream on Discovery Plus.
The book I purchased was this one. (no affiliate sponsor) The Clutter Connection.
Can be found wherever you find your books.
Have Fun!
Kathi
