The magic of tidying

I think your ability to reflect, know where you're at/what you need, and how to ask questions, shows me that you are absolutely capable of change (and probably more than you realise in general). It sounds like you are exploring productivity, which is amazing - we need this as adult humans (sadly haha). But what about pleasure? Can we incorporate some joy into these goals? @Dimity 🥰

@AuntGlow I might have lost the capacity for pleasure... and the closest I can get to a flow state is in mindful tasks. Marie Kondo asks if an object sparks joy. I've been working through the flotsam and jetsam of old interests and nothing seems to spark joy. I read suggestions for selfcare and very little resonates.

My troublesome family situation bubbled up again late this afternoon. I've just tried to resolve a potential financial liability dating back 3 years. I'm at my wits end trying to look out for myself and a loved one who lacks insight, and need to get on top of it all. I tell myself "one step at a time" and "keep chipping away" but can't imagine what feeling at home or secure and loved would be like. It's time to begin again... again. As I've said several times before... but I guess I can only persevere.

Mindful tasks are an absolutely valid form of flow state. @Dimity Sometimes the pressure to find things that spark joy can inhibit our ability to fully feel them. I wonder if you could become curious throughout the day about your 'glimmers'? i.e.: the things that feel light in your body. Let me know if any come up. I will be back on Sunday and can check in then?

Home sounds really vulnerable right now... know that you have a home with us here. I know it isn't the same, but I hope we can help to provide a sense of safety and comfort for you when life is hard. 💛

@Dimitya. As I was reading your post, my son came in the room talking and doing his declutterring. So some special synchronicity was in the air. I gained a couple pairs of socks. Yippee!

I really loved your phrase “doable chunks”. So much wisdom right there. I also appreciated @AuntGlow flexible approach.

I have areas in the house and garden that need work, but its about 75% approximately clean and tidy. I am alright with that. My desk has been appalling for years. Just haven’t had the wherewithal to do it. There are journals and diaries etc to work through. It is a symbol for me, that “ life is messy”. When the time is right I will do it. It bothers nobody but me. It matters to nobody but me.

Love reading your thoughts @Appleblossom 🥰

Hello @Appleblossom @AuntGlow . During week I was intermittently unable to "support", and as always lost for words at times.

Yes life is messy.

I've tried to extend myself a little by doing something beyond the minimum daily grind, something bringing something approximating a glimmer. A couple of quotes for fence repair, potting up succulents, lobbying Council on environment, ordering shrubs, and picking up neighbourhood litter. It all helped but didn't fill the void. House and family remain problematic. I'll try to persevere.

Hello @Dimity, I really appreciate you sharing all of this with us.

There's a lot here, isn't there? I get the sense that home feeling so unstable right now would make it genuinely hard to feel connected to your joy. 😔💛

Do you want to explore all of this more here? Just wanting to know your limits and boundaries.

Most of all, I am very proud of you for trying things that extended beyond the minimum daily grind. I know it didn't necessarily negate the hard stuff, but I am curious to know what you did find or notice in those moments?

@Dimity

I have heartbreak and despair and try similar avenues to you, to bring myself around. Tomorrow planting spring onions, music practice and 2 zooms. I have finally joined the rest of the world re technology… maybe?

I must be getting old… I didn’t approve that the ABC national radio fellow claiming to be a systemic theologian, spoke of Kierkegaard on the one hand… and liked the genre of horror… on the other. What is the world coming to, I am not in a hurry to get up to date.

@AuntGlow I noticed and chose to indulge my green sensibilities. I'm a bit of a news and current affairs junkie and often feel pessimistic... so trying to do stuff related to garden and environment to push through that and the other problems felt important.

Sorry words don't always flow. I'm socially isolated and go weeks speaking only to the cat, and that's only a few words.

I'm not happy here but I guess it's reasonably secure, although one family member is pressuring me to move and another keeps pressuring me to disinherit those I'm estranged from. I'm drowning in caring and financial commitments to someone lacking insight, who isn't getting the support services they need. I'd like to feel in control of things but am often paralysed in what might be some sort of freeze response. I mostly try to keep chipping away each day.

It would be nice to be tidy!

@Dimity hi dimity. Life can be so hard. I grew up in dysfunctional family. Which became out of control. Father died. Mother got in control.i went psychotic. Brother had yo have an intervention order.i lost my career, my family,no friends,no money and sick with MI.