Tag: declutter

Put it back!

RDP Tuesday: Blackhole

“The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.” Niccolo Machiavelli

I recall as a child, although conscientious about doing my homework, I would lose things on a regular basis and then get distressed. My father would stretch out his arms, shake the newspaper he was reading, and watch the drama with his glasses resting precariously on the tip of his nose. He would say with utmost patience, “If you had a place for everything, and everything in it’s place, you would not lose anything”. At other times he would say with even more patience, “What you don’t learn from advice, you’ll learn from experience”. I know both to be true.

Late in life I became more organised after leaving clothing, footwear and even jewellery in hotels. Now as soon as I check in, even if it is for an overnight stay, I keep my belongings in categories in specific places. Keys, jewellery together. Clothes categorised in packing cells. Laundry bag. Shoe bags. Toiletry bag. When I check out, I scoop my belongings and one final glance of the room, I’m out. This works a treat for me! I wanted to do the same at home but felt so overwhelmed at a huge task that I didn’t know where to start.

I read somewhere an average home in America can have up to 300,000 things in it. Once the renovations were completed, I felt the number reflected in my home too. It is not surprising the home had become a blackhole. So, two years ago I decluttered one cabinet drawer ruthlessly and it gathered momentum. The decluttering continues. It is a joyful and joy filled experience that I look forward to whenever I’m based at home. I walked around the home the other month and estimated it is probably going to take me a year to declutter. I’m doing it room by room, cupboard by cupboard. What has been decluttered remains that way. What does not have a place in my home, does not belong there and is given away. There are no more cabinets stuffed with things I may use one day. Those high heels from ten years ago, that remained brand new, I know I will never wear and had to go. I can reach into my pantry in pitch darkness and find exactly what I’m looking for. I do get tired sometimes after a trip and just dump stuff around. When looking at the clutter the next day, it does not take long to feel overwhelmed and when I do, it’s easier to get off the sofa when I think, “I know exactly where that goes” and I put it away. 

When the healer in Bali asked me what I wanted from life. I said I wanted nothing and meant it. I felt I had all that I wanted. Then he asked me gently what I wanted for myself. Now that was a different question! It reduced me to tears when I found myself saying, I wanted time. I used to say I didn’t have time. It became a living mantra. But time was not my nemesis. It was stuff. I realised living a more minimalistic lifestyle is just a pebble in a pond. Having less stuff means using less resources, and no doubt, in a small way this is also having some impact on the planet, just not my wallet. I found when one is organised, a quick glance in the pantry or closet lets you assess whether you need to buy something or not. There is less wastage.

I relish the feeling when the home is tidy. Having things where they need to be, has helped me be where I need to be. The happy space was an unexpected outcome, but one I was looking for. 

Until next time

As always

a dawn bird

Home

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I’ve had the luxury of being home for several days.  It’s given me the opportunity to catch up on reports and also chores.  With a house under renovation, living in disarray and dust has been nothing less than a challenge.  But, I’m home.  Truly home.  Because life is evolving to be something more peaceful and joyful.

I’ve adapted to frequent travel by making where ever I am, home.  I’ve learned by staying to routine and order reduces stress.  I also know there are some places the food is excellent and in others, terrible.  In the past I would forget and ended up with a dinner I could barely eat.  Now if I order the same meal once a month in the same town, I know it’s guaranteed to be a winner, so I look forward to my eggplant parmigiana in Kalgoorlie!  Being tidy and orderly with my belongings means I don’t leave anything behind.  I keep keys, jewellery, sunglasses in one designated spot.  I carry all my files in one zipped bag.  What I take out, goes back in when finished.  I have a set of clothes I use only when I travel so I don’t have to browse through my closet before each trip.  (It’s cut out the agony of indecision!).  Experiencing a sense of orderliness in a chaotic schedule has been a lifesaver.  I’ve become accustomed to this way of life.  It has reduced stress significantly.  I wondered if I could use the same philosophy on making healthy choices by setting boundaries on what to eat and when.

On reflection of my habits, I realised how external factors influence our decision making on a daily basis.

Marketing is, curiously, an unseen power that influences our daily life.  It can be insidious.  At one time we walked into a petrol station, paid for the fuel and left.  Then came the hot snacks and soft drinks.  ‘Convenience’ was promoted.  Now it is difficult to find a petrol station without a major cafe or fast food restaurant attached to it.  The Live Lighter ad is one that has influenced my thinking about choice over convenience.  For those not familiar with it, a young man walks into the petrol station and glances at the hot snacks and energy drinks, while the message about ‘toxic fat’ is visually presented with yellow shimmering fat encasing gut and heart, becomes a deterrent.  He pays for fuel and leaves.  My lifestyle often mimics that of long distance truck drivers.  I sit around a lot.  Yes, a lot.  In cars, in planes, in offices.  Some days the only walking I do is between the taxi rank and terminal.  My snacks are healthy in the car – water, fresh fruit, walnuts, but I would grab a hot snack, usually in a petrol station, when I could because I didn’t know when I would eat again.  But I’ve made a change.  I carry a cooler bag packed with a sandwich.  Now I can walk into the petrol station and walk out having paid for fuel only.  Oddly enough, the comfort of knowing I’m carrying food, doesn’t make me hungry!

I was watching a David Attenborough documentary the other day about birds making their nests.  They only use what they need.  Why don’t we?  I’m ashamed to say in clearing my walk in pantry, I found I had four slow cookers of various brands, each promoting a new feature.  Yes, it would appear, I fell for the marketing!  In my closet I found a pair of skinny jeans that I loved wearing but they no longer fit and, importantly.  I’m not fitting into them any time soon.  Yes, I love them.  But giving them away would bring joy to someone else who finds them in the second hand shop, at a much cheaper price and nearly brand new.  It’s in the charity bag.

I’m nesting.  Using and keeping only what I need.  It’s a good feeling.  And, just like a bird sitting in a nest sends out a clear message.  Yes, nesting can only mean one thing.  New life.

Until next time

As always

a dawn bird