blog is a many splendored thing

Today I decided that I would keep an electronic journal of my decluttering journey.   I’m not sure that it’s fit for anyone to read except me; but I think it’s important for me to keep track of my progress so I have a record of my struggles and my success. My dear husband, Ray, hates clutter.   He is a “hider”.   He puts things in drawers and boxes and sometimes forgets where he puts them (sometimes he forgets that he ever touched an item).   I myself would rather have everything out in the open so that eventually my eye will fall upon what I need.   Alternatively, I like having things in labeled containers, drawers, or notebooks so I can find them quickly if/when needed (assuming I’ve taken the time to return them to their assigned spaces). Ray and I have talked, on and off, about setting a timer and working together to declutter our apartment for some time.   We agreed to do it; but we cherish this time together.   Ray doesn’t seem enthusiastic a...

Proverbs 1:19 (KJV) - So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof. As you have guessed, I have invested a lot of time, money, and effort in accumulating stuff.  There are some guilty secrets associated with having so much stuff, I spent more than I had, I neglected my obligations, bills weren’t paid, and people got hurt. Selfishness, greed, envy, and covetousness have created tremendous stress in our home, indebted us to unscrupulous creditors, damaged our testimony, and dishonored God.  I wasted precious resources, meant to serve God and others, on stuff I didn’t need and don’t even use anymore.  That time, money, and effort should have been used to His honor and glory! It sounds strange, but I have had an emotional bond to my stuff.  I got the stuff to fill gaps in my life, and my heart, because the pain of emptiness was too great to bear.  It didn’t work!  I was still miserable, and ...

Yesterday, I shared that I wanted to get healthy and lose weight.   My motivation is that I am sick and tired of being sick and tired; it is too hard to stay motivated and productive when I am in chronic pain.   Those are strong motivators to change my eating habits, to get a little more exercise, and to keep busy at productive endeavors.   I want to live a healthier, happier, less painful life.   I want to serve God and others with my whole mind, body, and soul. Today I will share something that only a few close friends know.  I am a stuffer, (NO, I did NOT say hoarder – I am not ready for that kind of painful admission yet).  I said stuffer, and just for today, I am sticking to it.  I have stuff stuffed everywhere; there is stuff on shelves, in boxes, on tabletops and underneath them, in chests and dressers. I have stuff piled on beds, and couches, and chairs, oh my!  There's stuff shoved under beds, and couches, and chairs, oh my!...

I hope you enjoyed my last couple of posts (lists2 and lists3).  We had a lively and detailed discussion of Daily Lists and Project Lists.  I hope you will be able to incorporate some of the ideas I shared into your lives.  At the very least, I hope you’ve gained a new appreciation for list making, and that you’ll try it.  I’d be wandering about aimlessly without my lists! Today we’ll finish this topic with the more easy going “Someday Lists.”  Someday lists are far less structured than daily lists and project lists.  I jot down things that interest me; things I might like to – see, do, cook, read, have, make or accomplish – someday .  They are not so much lists of urgency or need; but, rather, of imagination, hopes, and dreams.   My Someday Lists include ... People ideas:  We like to encourage others.  It’s fun to do something out of the ordinary and surprise people with a call, a card, or a letter.  It’s nice to give...