Eating Humble Pie and Decluttering
Posted by Sue on Nov 12, 2006
Well- what can I say. It’s aready November 12 at 10 pm and this weekend I’ve been nibbling away on my extra piece of humble pie.
What is that about?
Well- quite possibly you are a visitor here because decluttering and getting organized are challenges for you. You may also be here because you find moving around the internet and its many forms as easy as turning on the light and you decided to follow some link to learn something that will make your clutter problems just a bit less difficult.
When I respond to decluttering questions I feel at ease and contented. I like sharing what I know about making spaces and I get a sense of having been helpful and oh yes- a bit wise. I am pleased to explain whatever I can to readers and clients. I can be gentle and patient – discussing this and that about making a space – happy with the information I am making available.
BUT when I am on the other end of the learning game – does that feel different!
Here’s the scoop. Last month I finished my new website and also had this BLOG created for me. Then I got swamped doing a million other things and also went to visit my father who is 88 1/2 and moving from the Vienna flat that has been his home for 40 years. So for several weeks I haven’t touched my website and yesterday when I looked at it and decided to edit a little I discovered that I couldn’t remember how to do the editing!
Humble Pie R-ME! NOT KNOWING how to do something is NOT FUN …in my books! How could I NOT know how to do that simple thing. SO THIS is what it feels like when something so basic is mind boggling. THIS is what my clients probably feel like when decluttering is so difficult for them.
This weekend I was reading about blogging and all the ways it can be used and here I am with a blog that is supposed to get lots of “traffic” and I’m supposed to be able to write articles that get links on other websites – and folks are supposed to be able to come to this blog to chat about their organizing troubles and get good advice and plenty of good old TLC .. and what is happening??? I duuno. Not much. A fellow classmate posted one post and I never wrote back! There’s so much I don’t know. It’s hard to imagine I will ever feel capable in this arena.
HOW CAN I SAY THIS ON A (PUBLIC)BLOG?
In the old school of life, I probably wouldn’t tell you any of this …but if I can’t admit to being challenged how can I expect clients to? So here’s the scoop … I KNOW what it feels like to NOT know how to do something with ease while others all around me seem to it so speedily. YUCKY— like a big piece of humble pie!
Thus I hereby promise that more than ever I will respect the degree of struggle and despair you may feel about your space. If you happen to read this –please remember that whatever you do well- there’s someone else who would do anything to have that skill. And whatever you don’t do well … it gives you a helpful reminder of how someone else may feel when struggling to accomplish a task that is totally easy to you.
And now it’s getting late -to be quite honest- I don’t know how to close this and then add more later … I am hoping that when I close this it will actually stay available to you. If I could I would save now and work on it more tomorrow but I don’t know how to store it safely so I’ve been pushing past eye drooping fatigue.
Can YOU tell me how to SAVE so it will be here tomorrow? Do you have a question about decluttering and organizing that you’d like to ask me? Rest assured! – I’ve had a very healthy portion of humble pie and can appreciate any you might be swallowing.
Good night dear folks out there in cyberspace… may your next hours go well …and do WRITE something/ANYTHING if you find this.. If you have hints or questions — all the better. I imagine this as a place to chat.
Buenas noches! Joanna
p.s. Just found an edit button AFTER I posted this so I’ve been back to edit (YAY) and really am saying good night. Hope you’ll visit my website if you haven’t … and DO drop me a line about your own assortment of victories and challenges.
Discipline – and Napoleon Hill
Posted by Sue on Oct 12, 2006
Before Jack Canfield, before Wayne Dyer – back in the days of Andrew Carnegie, there was Napoleon Hill.
Well – what he says is FOCUSED intention… and what I realize is there’s probably no way of avoiding discipline if one wants to do what does NOT come naturally!
I DO want to get daily exercise because there’s tons more that I want to accomplish in my life and I would rather do it healthy. I also meditated (a bit) today and next I am going to study some Spanish before class.
I guess what I have decided is that as lovely as it is to do what one does easily – there are probably some things that are going to take discipline and work. For some people it will take discipline to keep the counter clear – for me it will take discipline to exercise every day.
So there it is … back to the drawing board – make a plan – get support. Appreciate that some things come easily and work on the rest! So be it – Joanna
How do YOU do what doesn’t come naturally?
Posted by Sue on Oct 11, 2006
This in NOT a rhetorical question for me! I would love to hear your thoughts. I’ve been thinking about all the actions that don’t come easily to me and what a hard time I have with maintaining a routine. Surprise?!
Many people have the idea that “being organized” is about self discipline. It probably is for some people. And as I’m sure you well know, there’s all kinds of SHOULDS attached to the subject. But here’s the thing, for me(sigh) keeping a space clear and attractive is not a discipline, it’s more like scratching an itch.
For example,
The butcher block in our kitchen is where the mail lands when it comes in our house. Either Bob or I bring it in and 90% of the time separate out what’s his and what’s mine right away. Next, unless I have to be somewhere in minutes (right while I’m standing there) I sort through my mail/ tear the credit card offers in two for safety and put all the mail I don’t truly need or want into recycling. The recycling bin is just around the corner in the pantry. What’s left goes into the BILLS TO PAY or in a small reading pile by my placemat.
I am SO visual. My eyes sort of caress the table (It’s actually a child’s leaf desk that my Dad made with a kit from SEARS in 1953!) When I walk by the table I see the placemats, the fresh flowers and I almost physically CRAVE having the butcher block and table clear of any extra stuff. It’s that way with most of my spaces – most of the time.
However, to be very honest, there’s NOTHING about discipline in my ability to process the mail. It’s more like dealing with a pebble in my shoe. Thus, I don’t deserve any particular kudos for my ability to keep my counter and table clear!
HOW ABOUT YOU???
What do you do well naturally? What is that like for you?
Given that you are reading this blog, it’s seems likely that clutter and staying organized is a challenge for you. Luckily (since I have chosen this as my work) I can help figure out solutions that people seeem to be able to latch onto and use and their spaces stay more organized… BUT I am still pondering this discipline vs what comes naturally issue.
Here are three of my current challenges:
1)Regular daily exercise
2)Regular meditation
3)Doing my Spanish homework.
All three of these are things I believe in; I want the benefits that come from doing them. AND!!! doing them as a regular practice is SO MUCH HARDER than keeping my kitchen counter clear!
So let’s chat about about how to do the things that don’t come naturally. With luck I have at least another 1/3 of my life to work on this. Please share what has worked (and not worked) for you!
Blessings, Joanna
Hello world!
Posted by Sue on Sep 28, 2006
This is the home of my new blog, Overwhelmed by Stuff(c) which I am so excited to begin!
Here, I’ll publish tips, information, articles, my thoughts, and all sorts of hints about getting organized and making your space feel wonderful. To me the real reason for dealing with clutter and getting organized is to make life easier and more joy-filled. What “SHOULD ” be isn’t the point …what MIGHT be, is!
One of my key purposes in creating this blog is so you won’t feel so alone in the struggle. For many folks it’s a silent (often unseen) battle behind the closed doors of their home. This blog is a way for me (and all who come here) to share our experience, strength, and hope, even if we can’t meet in person.
So please, come back and enjoy all the information I have planned. I am 99.9% sure you will learn things that will help YOU!
Your comments, thoughts and questions are going to be vital; as important to me as what I have to share with you. Hearing which concerns are a priority for you will guide my priorities in writing. I’m so looking forward to our conversations!
Please check back soon! And I mean VERY soon as I have only a little bit of prep work left. with all best wishes, Joanna
