OK sweetums, yesterday I publicly declared that my focus for the month of February (besides writing and arting, that is) will be the daily de-cluttering of the physical space in which I dwell. Fifteen minutes (no more) a day, with ‘after’ photos. ‘After’ photos that I will explore enhancing with new apps, ever the creative multi-tasker that I am.
If you didn’t read yesterday’s post go read it now. You’ll see that I was flush with victory from completing the 30 Paintings 30 Days challenge and was up for anything. And 15 minutes? (Shrug) After the painting challenge, that’s a piece of cake.
It seemed like a good idea at the time. It still does, actually. Today I found myself wandering around the house, poking at piles of clutter like the wicked witch poking Hansel and Gretel, checking to see who had the most fat on their bones.
But I wasn’t ready to gnaw on the fattest pile, like the master closet or spare bedroom, not so early in the challenge. I settled instead for an appetizer…the coffee table.
If you’ve been reading this blog for the past month when I undertook the ginormous task of learning to make art on the iPad while in the midst of a thirty day painting challenge, you might recall that I made most of the art while on the sofa with my feet stretched out on the coffee table. It was a cushy studio. No wet paint involved but there were plenty of sketches, loose papers, pens, reference photos, magazines and assorted STUFF. Piles of ’em.
So tonight I put it all away. Or threw it away. Then I polished the table. And because I was getting into this this tidying thing I moved over to the sofa and fluffed the cushions. Folded the lap blankets too.
Took all of 15 minutes. Really. And now I’m looking at this lovely, inviting, clutter-free mini zone and finding myself exhaling.
Clearing space, day 1
And I want to keep it that way.
What do you think? Are you doing this with me (waving at ‘cha Kelly!). Love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
xo
LOL – I love the image of you poking at fat piles. But I’m also very impressed with your shiny zen-ifed space. Guantlet down. Challenge accepted. I’ll give a daily 15-minute focus to decluttering this month. I have my own fat piles I’m looking forward to poking. 🙂
Deborah Weber recently posted..Love: A is for…
YAY Deborah! Looking forward to hearing how you do. Seeing it too if I could figure out how to have you post pictures here 🙂
Aaaaah…and you do it all with such grace and humor – :-)!
If I didn’t do it with humor I’d have to cry, Marcie 🙂
my word of the year is SIMPLIFY – and I too have been slowly decluttering – getting away from the material things that don’t mean that much. I just loved how you referred to cleaning your coffee table as an appetizer – what a great way to put it. I’m going to challenge myself too for the month of February – but I’m going to ponder that challenge while I take a bubble bath –
Vickie Martin recently posted..MY WORD OF THE YEAR – SIMPLIFY
Bubble bath works for me, Vickie. In fact, that could be another challenge 🙂
It really is amazing what just 15 minutes will do! I think this month will be revelatory for you… maybe you’ll keep it up from now on!
Naomi recently posted..Photo-heart connection: three leaves in a pond
I think I’ll be keeping this up, Naomi. I’m sooooo liking the areas that are already clear. I just look over them and feel a sense of peace.
Ha! Yes I am! I’ve put in two days worth. Am loving your “15 minutes – no more.” First day I went through the drawer in a small chest in my living room. Who knew I had so many note pads? No need to get more for at least 6 years. Then yesterday I went through the top drawer of a chest in my hallway. Man alive – so many dog scarves. Every time my dog would come home from the kennel after a visit he’d be wearing a scarf. They don’t do it anymore. So, my current pup rarely wears them. Having found all those yesterday – she has so many more options. Today – I’ll work on the drawer under yesterday’s. Looking forward to reading about your next tackling effort!!!
Kelly L McKenzie recently posted..Olympic Today Show
Note pads, oh yes! I have a bazillion of the little grocery list ones, all with my mother’s name on them. I guess they were the give away for the charities she donated to and now they’re my inheritance.
You’re braver than I to tackle the insides of the drawers. I’m still working on the outsides. But that will come in due time.