Remember this? Coffee filters and bikinis and bags, OH MY!
Garbage and projects and paint, OH NO!
It had been seven weeks of avoidance since I said I wanted to tackle this project. Finally, after a lot, hold on, let me be super clear on that tone right there. A LOT of procrastination and excuses. I spent a full day shut behind closed doors and cleaned out my entire office. Not just those darn bookshelves, but every corner and surface in the room. It was a little tough, not because of all the sorting and decision making, but because I had Claire in the room almost the whole time.
This process of removing unnecessary things and keeping possessions that mattered and were meaningful to me felt uplifting. I’m not exaggerating, it lifted a weight that had been hovering around my house and head for 6 1/2 years. I’ve always envisioned a comfortably calm, organized writing space and now I have one.
Want to take a peek at what it looks like shiny and clean?
Nothing on the floors and a place for everything. I created areas on the shelves and grouped themes together. There is a creative area with books on hiking with kids, natural crafting and play ideas. Coincidentally, the new calendar fits in just fine right where it is.
Adding a current photo of the kids makes me smile every time I look at it! To me, they are home, with or without creating the perfect decor using those amazingly beautiful books.
I was able to dedicate a place for my art supplies. By taking a few online classes, I am continuing the learning process and have pushed creating art closer to the top of my list. My interest in art began when I was young after my grandmother gave me my first set of brushes to work beside her. Along with writing, it’s a form of creating that I enjoy deep in my soul. It makes me slow down and be present in my immediate space. Good for centering and refocusing on crazy days!
Here are a few other areas that got a facelift. A clock was hung, another corner cleared, organized my daily work files and removed the clutter.
Ahh, do you feel more relaxed? I certainly do. Now I can light a candle and enjoy a cup of tea. I plan on keeping it this way, my space where I can create (and pay the bills too!) in an environment that makes me want to be there working, every day.
Are you following along with Gretchen’s book? I’m finding the project a bit overwhelming. I think we need to move through the book at whatever pace is comfortable for each of us individually. My sister was waiting for me to post an update before she started Chapter 2 and I immediately felt a sense of responsibility and a bit of failure.
I want to continue working through the chapters one at a time, but it may take me 6 weeks to get though one Chapter month. If you are also participating, feel free to move ahead, then jump in whenever you can to give us your updates on Facebook. I think if we keep the conversation going, it helps us with our own ups and down we may face.
Live Well
