The magic of tidying

@Dimity @EternalFlower and other Forum Tidiers, today I made a real start on cleaning up my living space.

I would like to announce that the sink and draining board are both clean and clear for the first time in a while!

In addition all indoor utensils, dishes and cleaning products etc are nearly stored in the cupboards beneath the sink.

It was a pleasure to brush my teeth and wash my face this evening, although hot running water in the caravan would make it even better.

Such a tiny step has made a big difference to my attitude. I've still got a very long way to go before I'm pulling people in to have a look around but it's better than nothing...

Take care,

RedHorse 🌹🐴

Well done @RedHorse . You must be very proud- deservedly so.

And well done with your wardrobe @EternalFlower . Sparking joy might be ephemeral but I like the idea of thanking our cast-offs for their service.

Hi @Dimity

It is nice to feel love and respect for our items, even when we are passing them on.

It makes it easier to let go...

Marie kondo has a very forgiving, gentle approach, compared to others who say eg every week walk around Ur home and pick up 25 objects you identify as suitable to get rid of...

It probably works well but it's very focussed on things we don't need, ie finding excess and culling it

I like that marie says all that matters is what is joyous.

So I've been backsliding. But it's time I tackled the tidying again.

Tonight I filed bills and receipts. I pruned some of the roses earlier.

Maybe I'll get more done tomorrow.

Hi @Dimity keep on the path gently, Ur doing great , proud to read u are doing the receipts, that's a big task!!

I fell apart a bit with books, I have too many, I find it hard .

I did do well in selling some clothes I no longer needed,which helped me.

I priced very cheap, to give someone else joy, and also to make it no fuss.

The process gave me joy.

I don't know what to do with old books. My apartment isn't a good temperature for books and they get dust

It is hard facing my stuff and my trauma which comes up when decluttering

Well done with the clothes @EternalFlower .

Yes books are difficult... it's traumatic facing them and a wrench to let them go. I have far too many, mostly in storage at a place I can't face going to... long story.

I have LPs I'm torn between letting go or getting a new sound system.

I was going to go through some old letters today but did some cleaning instead. I'm nearly there though. Maybe tomorrow.

Thanks @Dimity

Good goals re the letters

I gave some books to a neighbourhood/street library but I now have too many piles at home undecided

Working on doing simple things in a routine, like taking out trash every day same time

I don't have space for my books either and struggle to part with them...

@EternalFlower I hear you re the routine. I wasn't getting anything done but for 4 weeks have been walking every day. I've set a reminder so I don't forget. It has definitely helped, and I've been able to tackle cleaning etc more easily, although there's still room for improvement. I've had severe depression for a long time and it's not fixed overnight. It would be nice to settle into a daily and weekly routine but just drawing up a timetable doesn't seem to work for me. I need to build new habits.

Hi @Dimity thank you for sharing

I understand that struggle and it is hard to have people understand sometimes, routine is often pushed upon ppl like it's so easy

I find I don't do basic things at the same time, like showering, taking out trash, or eating

My life is chaos.

Well done setting a timer for Ur walks. What do u enjoy about them? Hope u can keep walking

I haven't done much tidying but sometimes I watch videos of marie kondo and get inspired

When I took my books off the display shelf I had stacked them on I felt so light, I don't want them on that shelf but I have nowhere else to put them

I hope to store mine at someone's place for a bit...I need a break from clutter.

Hello @EternalFlower

It's funny, I associate chaos with lots of swirling movement but my life seems static and empty, even though it's a mess. Routines aren't easy. I started by cooking my meal at a regular time to take advantage of the solar panels then added the walk, and now try to tackle chores or decluttering for a while. I started an exercise and diet program after a health wakeup call. I enjoy the fresh air when walking and finding a rhythm, and look out for my favourite gardens.

Books... well... I have hundreds. The answer is more shelves, or less books, or maybe cupboard space. Do you have a TBR pile?

I read a Marie Kondo book and want to go back to it and start again. I've never quite got the hang of her way of organising clothing drawers (rolling everything and standing it on end). Perhaps the videos would help.

A break from clutter would be nice. Maybe any sort of break would be nice. Dò you have any holidays planned?