Here’s my lesson for you and for me for this week: Every little bit counts.
It’s been a weird and silly week around here, but I still managed to do a few things that are useful, so I’m considering this week a reasonable success and working toward an even better week next week.
An allergy attack sidelines me on Wednesday and Thursday, but we still managed to buy a box of books for the bookselling business this week and I did some decluttering. Consider how much we were out this week and how out of sorts I was when I was in, that will have to be good enough.
With my self-imposed one-year deadline for getting my house visitor-ready and clutter-free (four hypens in one phrase — that’s a lot even for me), I’m feeling a bit of pressure to get some things done. And I must admit to some guilt that I’m not nearly finished.
Anyway, my 52 weeks are not even close to be being over, and this week is all that matters for now. We managed to keep laundry, dishes and trash under control this week — and we’ve done pretty well with that every week so far. That’s something we weren’t always doing before.
Despite my itchy throat, I managed to do some decluttering maintenance and also get rid of a few DVDs that have accumulated since the big DVD clearance early in this project. I eliminated another box that’s been sitting around since early in the project, too, and I’m on my way to eliminated another one. As I’ve said before, decluttering is slower once the easy stuff is done. But every little bit counts.
And the faucet I replaced last week is still holding water. (I checked a few minutes ago to make sure I was telling the truth.) Given my skill level at DIY, that’s a major accomplishment.
So here’s the recap: Nothing major happened this week. It was a weird week. I felt weird. I did some things. The week is just about over, and I’ve kept my promise to myself and to you to write truthfully about my progress.
Gip Plaster is a web content writer. Previously a journalist, online bookseller and even a corporate advertising guy, Gip now specialize in writing high-quality content for websites — his and other people’s. Learn more here.
Hey Gip,
question for you why the 52 week deadline – what motivates you – has this changed?
additionally don’t forget it was the tortoise who won the race –
for me I view living simply as an organic process, there is no end
Hi Gip,
Hope you had a good weeekend. I completely agree, it is best to move a small amount – that stand still…….and all those little bits soon add up to something significant:)
Hi Gip!
Sorry I have been MIA, things have been crazy around here for me with my day job (my crazy rentals full of even crazier tenants) and my blogging which has gone completely nuts (or was that ME?)…
Sounds like you are making slow but steady progress…Keep up the good work!
Take care!
Alex, Kate and Jan — Thanks for the comments. I’m glad you’re all still here.
Alex — The process is a continual one, but I’d like to be finished with most of the decluttering of my house by the end of the year. I also wanted to limit how long I do weekly updates here so readers don’t get completely tired of them. I also have lots of other aspects of simplifying that I want to write about, but I don’t really want to post more than one to three posts a week.
Keep commenting!
Gip
Doing a little at a time is the only way I have ever been able to declutter or clean up. I just don’t have the time or energy to do a blitz. For me, it’s better to do some than none at all 🙂
Alex makes a good point which I am trying to remember for “afterward” (after I get things to where I want them). Keeping on top of things will mean more of the same approach, i.e., a little at a time. Otherwise, the mess will return.