tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post8726904882522337610..comments2024-03-29T10:31:51.040-07:00Comments on creative savv: When there is clutter, you cannot see the beauty of what you loveLilihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-78850622705701881722013-02-08T11:50:19.694-08:002013-02-08T11:50:19.694-08:00I thought I'd check our library, as well.I thought I'd check our library, as well.Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-19814864729861497592013-02-08T11:14:01.840-08:002013-02-08T11:14:01.840-08:00I think you'd enjoy the Anne books...I'm g...I think you'd enjoy the Anne books...I'm going to keep my eyes open in the charity shops over here!Everyday Life On A Shoestringhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06038009981638541163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-16833728015493506642013-02-06T06:31:26.314-08:002013-02-06T06:31:26.314-08:00Hi anexacting,
That's really wise. Up until re...Hi anexacting,<br />That's really wise. Up until recently, I'd never given it much thought. Obviously this is a problem many of us deal with.<br /><br />I've begun thinking about why I place things on these flat surfaces. Part of it is for temporary storage, the stuff that I need to do something with, eventually. Well, I'm trying to now think of it as stuff that I need to do something with "soon", instead of "eventually". So maybe my problem isn't so much too much stuff, as lack of discipline in getting through the processing of these items, taking care of whatever business I have with them to get them where they belong. Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-18889270465105230142013-02-06T03:22:04.129-08:002013-02-06T03:22:04.129-08:00I always liked Peter Walsh's advice that flat ...I always liked Peter Walsh's advice that flat surfaces are not for storage. While I can't be that strict, my goal is to keep some clean, usable work space on every flat surface!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-30143630221771820592013-02-05T16:23:26.256-08:002013-02-05T16:23:26.256-08:00Hi Belinda,
That must have been hard, that first y...Hi Belinda,<br />That must have been hard, that first yard sale. I can understand the feeling. <br /><br />When I was a girl, my mom organized a garage sale, and encouraged my brother, sister and I to contribute things. My sister and I often had matching playthings. And she always kept hers immaculate. So at the garage sale, her things fetched a much higher price than mine. And I just couldn't understand that, because obviously, my things were much more loved than hers. I do remember wondering if these strangers were going to love my things as much as I had. And if they'd treat them nicely, or if it would just become "junk" in their house.<br /><br />But after the decluttering, it's so nice and tidy, and easy to keep that way, for while at least. Then more stuff manages to creep back in.<br />Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-65438281979491937802013-02-05T16:17:47.885-08:002013-02-05T16:17:47.885-08:00Hi Kris,
I used to watch the TV show with my daugh...Hi Kris,<br />I used to watch the TV show with my daughters. But no I never read those books, sadly. I'm sure I would have enjoyed them.<br /><br />It's such a peaceful, calm feeling when life is not so hectic. And even true when my things look orderly. But you're right, doing this for ourselves and our families makes it a job in itself. <br /><br />The milk jug friend sounds really sweet, even if it is a bit creepy-looking. Our kids make some of the sweetest things for us. Their intentions are always perfectly placed. Perhaps the "friend" could take a place of honor, on a top shelf in a dark closet. Our you could tell your daughter that you just didn't feel right, hogging him all to yourself. Maybe she'd like to babysit him for a little while. But sometimes we just have to keep some things around because someone else still has attachments. (You should see the stuff we have in the attic, because some of the kids couldn't give them up!) Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-75803831133030612002013-02-05T14:34:54.389-08:002013-02-05T14:34:54.389-08:00I love the look of something when I've been bu...I love the look of something when I've been busy decluttering and love the feeling of accomplishment after I've finished. It leaves me with a very good feeling. The first time I had a huge yard sale, I felt terrible afterwards, like I'd given away all my stuff. Thankfully the feeling went away though. I've never forgotten it though, but now it's easier to get rid of stuff without feeling like that. Belindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17486895127003368291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-34673770744125145432013-02-05T10:19:14.149-08:002013-02-05T10:19:14.149-08:00Did you ever read Anne of Green Gables? I think y...Did you ever read Anne of Green Gables? I think you may be a kindred spirit! :) I find I have to edit my surroundings AND my life several times a year. It's even tougher when you consider that you are doing this not just for yourself, but your family as well. I find that I can think more calmly and clearly when my physical environment and my life activities are decluttered. <br /><br />I have the funniest item on top of my dresser. My daughter made me a "friend"--it's a gallon milk jug (yes, the milk is gone!) with a face drawn on it and crafty items glued to it. Truth to tell, it looks a little creepy ... but ... she was so proud of it that I haven't had the heart to get rid of it. However, enough time has passed that perhaps she won't notice? All to say ... sometimes I have to make sure my urge to declutter is in tune with the heartstrings of my family ...Krisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-33737496573509517092013-02-05T08:55:28.469-08:002013-02-05T08:55:28.469-08:00Hi Pamela,
"Decluttering" my life makes ...Hi Pamela,<br />"Decluttering" my life makes me so much more effective at the things that I leave in it. Really, no one wants help from someone who is only half there, or burned out. But I do find it difficult to break off a long-standing commitment, because I'm afraid others will feel offense or just not understand.<br /><br />As you've just recently moved, how important not having too much stuff was probably really apparent. When I stay in the same house for a long time, I accumulate a lot of stuff. It's been 18 years now in this house. I'm not looking forward to moving from here, any time soon!Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-53216029956345396902013-02-05T08:50:05.664-08:002013-02-05T08:50:05.664-08:00Hi Sarah,
I noticed something in my own mental sta...Hi Sarah,<br />I noticed something in my own mental state of the before and after. Before cleaning up, I felt like such a slob every time I'd see my disorganization. And after, I just felt peaceful and thankful for beautiful things to look at, and some order to my belongings. If for no other reason, cleaning up for a change in my mood and self-perception made it worthwhile.<br /><br />Good luck with yours. Clearing a space is not as time-consuming as we tend to let ourselves believe.Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-19542574661856103842013-02-05T08:08:42.951-08:002013-02-05T08:08:42.951-08:00I think this is a good idea--decluttering your phy...I think this is a good idea--decluttering your physical space and your life. It's too easy to get caught up in a lot of unnecessary stuff that drains us.<br /><br />One reason why I try to keep stuff to a minimum is so that I don't have to keep track of it. (I'm terrible at keeping track of stuff.) But clutter creeps up on us all.Pamelahttp://feralhomemaking.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-45753379088484523242013-02-05T08:02:36.497-08:002013-02-05T08:02:36.497-08:00My dresser equivalent is in the same state as your...My dresser equivalent is in the same state as your 'before'...and I've been walking past it for days thinking I must clean up! You've inspired me! I agree with your idea of balance, and that is different for all of us.Everyday Life On A Shoestringhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06038009981638541163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-21602570393622070552013-02-05T06:46:06.047-08:002013-02-05T06:46:06.047-08:00Hi Jayne,
Thanks. The questions not only helped me...Hi Jayne,<br />Thanks. The questions not only helped me clear the space of clutter, but have also helped be to be more mindful of what I set down in these spots. Not just to keep it clean, but to think, "is this really the best place for this, right now?" Just hoping to keep things clutter-free.Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-14150982984505758932013-02-05T06:42:07.394-08:002013-02-05T06:42:07.394-08:00Hi live and learn,
what I left does really make m...Hi live and learn, <br />what I left does really make me smile, as they remind of of special people.<br /><br />For me, posing questions to myself was a starting point. I am usually stumped on what to do, when I face a mess, and no progress is made. But this worked for me. Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-39939218795206735452013-02-05T05:47:59.757-08:002013-02-05T05:47:59.757-08:00Great blog, and probably relevant to everyone! Th...Great blog, and probably relevant to everyone! Thanks for posting the questions too, so we can all consider what's important, what's not, etc.Jaynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08627803031033137170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-90674599859051969332013-02-05T04:28:53.773-08:002013-02-05T04:28:53.773-08:00Lot's of things to think about and I like the ...Lot's of things to think about and I like the term of editing things. For me I have found that I sometimes (most of time) over think things and that hinders me from making progress. That's how it would be if I considered all of the things you did before you cleaned off your dresser. I basically say do I need this and if it doesn't belong here, where does it go? After I have edited my things, overtime, I figure out how I want the new space to function.<br /><br />By the way, the dresser is filled with very beautiful things and I'm guessing that it makes you smile when you see it.Live and Learnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13493777474885053903noreply@blogger.com