I am not very good at keeping a clean and tidy house.
Understanding my habits is the key to getting some cleaning and organizing sanity (good thing I know myself so well): I fill my drawers and cabinets with stuff I barely (if ever) use and I keep the things I use out in the open.
Tell me I am not the only person who does this?
My mission:
To get rid of everything taking up permanent residence inside my cabinets, drawers and garage.
The inspiration:
Two books I've read recently that inspire me to make these improvements are Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living by Tsh Oxenrider and The House that Cleans Itselfs by Mindy Starns Clark.
The nester recently wrote about the myth of the next house. I started thinking about the way I use this house. This IS our "next house." We love this house and want to raise our boys here. We want to create special memories and enjoy this house, but we aren't using our house correctly.
We've toted unpacked boxes around to 4 different houses! Why do I not have the time to go through those boxes? Why is it easier to run to Home Depot and buy more paint supplies than to take a few minutes in the garage to see what I already have? Convenience? Laziness? Yes and yes. Also, avoidance. Avoiding the mess that it takes to get organized.
My new motto:
If I wouldn't want to pack it up, move it, unpack it, and display it in my "next" house...GET RID OF IT. Donate it, sell it, throw it away - just get rid of what is cluttering up our home.
Today I spent four hours working in the garage. Trash can is full and three large bags of items worthy of donating are in the car.
Up next - cleaning out my master bedroom closet, dresser drawers and nightstand drawers. Wish me luck!
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