Clearing the Clutter Part II

November 16, 2008

On April 29, 2008 I wrote a blog about cleaning my apartment.

I wrote that I would let you know how it went.

Well, I finally got around to it in November. Spring, Summer, and Fall are far too beautiful to sit inside, dealing with boring things like piles of paper to be sorted or shredded, junk mail, books, magazines, clothing, and the Stuff I mentioned in Clearing the Clutter.

Here is what I did:

I broke up my cleaning tasks into rooms. For example: Dining Room (which was the biggest offender in the house)

I set a date. As if cleaning were an event to look forward to. (it worked… mind over matter)
I kept my attitude positive, even when I wanted to stop.

I trudged onward, reminding myself that I wanted to achieve this goal. (it’s been over a year)

I took breaks for eating and brief escapism.

I became disciplined and I am now a bit militant about maintaining the space.

Maintaining your sense of place is work. I find that the energy of a space changes dramatically when the clutter is removed. I have been blogging more as a result. I feel more free to do other things. The clutter isn’t weighing down on my mind anymore and it isn’t engulfing my desk area. I am on a roll. I cleaned out the back porch area… mopped the floor and made it a more useful, open space. I have been maintaining my bedroom for months now. Next up, the front porch and front vestibule.

I am curious about what I will do when I have nothing left to organize and no more intense cleaning to accomplish.