Decluttering

So "THAT" time of year is upon me again. The time when I get the undeniable urge to clean and declutter my entire house. Yes, all of it, right down to the boxes of things we never EVER look at. I go through this cycle every year and never seem to get it done. I want to take care of it this year so I can fully focus on living the simpler life that I have been  yearning for. Having less stuff makes it easier to live in the moment. You don't worry so much about what needs to be done and can focus on what is now, in this very minute.

Living intentionally and simply has been a passion of mine for quite sometime. For years I rented places where all I could do was plant flower beds and maybe few plants in pots. Now that I am purchasing my parents old home on two lots, there is so much more I can and want to do to live frugally and intentionally.

The first step is to declutter the house and get rid of all the junk. We have so many things that we don't use taking up space. Old shoes, an unused dog crate, boxes of papers and handed down items. It's time to clear these out, hold a garage sale and then donate the rest. Time for it all to go. I will feel better without all the chaos. 

So here is my plan of attack and some tips on getting it done.

1. Plan a specific day to start and put it on your calendar.
2. Make a plan on how to move through the house, where to start, which room comes next, etc.
3. Don't expect to finish it all in one day.
4. Take the decluttering in small bites - one room, closet, dresser or drawer at a time.
5. Make rules on what can be kept. Mine include a) is it necessary b) is it useful c) is it sentimental and d) is it beautiful. If an item can't measure up to the rules, it has to go.
6. For clothing, the rules differ slightly - a) does it fit well b) do you wear it c) is it flattering d) is it stained/ripped/does it need repair and can you do the repair?

My start day is today. I am working on my plan and when I get home, I'm attacking my dresser to clean out anything I don't wear or doesn't fit, and fixing anything that needs repair.

I hope this has inspired you to declutter your home (and life) as well. God's blessings my friends.

 

Technology - Good or Evil?

Lately I have been wondering at the technology available in our world today. We have smart phones, desktops, laptops, tablets, and now even watches that bring the world and information to wherever we are in the blink of an eye. It has made us more knowledgeable, aware of the world around us and connected to people all over the world. Information is available immediately and profoundly, right, wrong or indifferent.  And while having information is good, I’m not so sure it’s the best thing to have it at our fingertips 24/7.

 

Technology has isolated society, teaching them that communication is better done via a gadget than face to face. People’s opinions are screaming at us from all angles, news reports send “breaking news” alerts to tell us of the latest tragedy. Bad news overrides good and social media has brought bullying and worse into our very homes via the internet.

The art of conversation has been lost. We sit with our faces plastered to screens instead of looking each other in the eyes. (And I am just as bad as anyone…I even blog from my phone) Stunted text messages convey messages that can be easily misinterpreted without the body language that is so vital to true communication.

I may be old fashioned or nostalgic, but I miss the days of front porch conversations and Sunday family dinners.  I miss the card parties, the family functions with kids playing games and talking, and outdoor activities. I dream of the days when kids ran free outside, not tethered to the wall by a cord. I long for human connection (even as a severe introvert). I long to be heard, acknowledged, and understood, seen and validated.

 

I am sorely tempted to turn the internet off at home, swap out the cell phone for a landline with an answering machine. I want to put a sign up on the door that says:

I understand the benefits of having a cell phone for emergencies. I also know that children today need to have internet at home just to do homework.  This is technology used for good. But how does one balance the good with the evil? I have come up with a few suggestions or ideas…

1.    Do not purchase smart phones/iPods. These lead to isolating behaviors and can create divisions in families. If cell phones are that much of a necessity, purchase old standard phones that do not have internet access. Or use the pre-pay phones. These can be used in an emergency but won’t cause people to have their faces glued to the screen.

2.    Set timers on the internet for use during needed hours only. If kids need it for school or adults need it for work, set it to shut off during non-needed hours (8 PM to 8 AM maybe?)

 

3.    Instate a “No Cellphone” Policy with guests. Of course if you do not have Wi-Fi this will limit the usage while they are at your home, but if this is not the case, a no cellphone rule makes it clear that you would like to visit with them, not sit and watch them on their phones.  

4.    If your child has friends over, collect electronic devices so that they spend time with each other, not online. (I did this for Princess Pea’s 13^th Birthday Party and the girls all said it was the best birthday party they had been to!)

I know that in today’s world, these ideas will be balked at, shied away from or even laughed at. Most people see technology as a necessary evil that can’t be avoided. I beg to differ. By making conscious choices in our lives, we can use it for what it was meant to be…a help. We need to realize that human interaction is being sacrificed for the sake of technological advances and our families, friendships, children and relationships are suffering because of it.  And we need to make an effort to stop or slow down how technology negatively affects us now, before we lose our children to its grip.

 

All About Attitude

I woke up this morning feeling quite down again. I know my balance in my checking account is low (probably negative),  the weekend went by too quick, a rock chipped the window of my Jeep last night and now it's supposed to snow. Yeah, set me on my teeth real quick. Reality, that thing that jabs in the side when we start to feel good. Reality, hard and quick, bites and pulls us back under the surging tide.  It can happen so fast. One little thing and we back slide into the murk and gloominess. 

Then, just when I feel myself ready to let go and have the darkness overcome my soul again, Jesus tapped me on my shoulder and told me to lift others in order to be lifted myself.

I set my Facebook status as a prayer. For those facing a bleak Monday morning. For those who are facing their deepest fears today. For those who want to stay in bed and hide under the covers but instead face the day and their loved ones with courage and smiles. I wanted to let them know...They.Are.Not.Alone. Someone is out there thinking of them, praying for them and believing in them.

Sometimes in what seems our darkest hour, when we are taking life minute by minute, we need to reach out to help others so we can be helped ourselves.
 

Depression....

 
Hi There....Welcome.....I hope things in your world are bright and sunshiny! I wish that for everyone, however, I know that there are people out there who don't have a sunshiny world. Those who suffer from depression feel that their world is a deep pit of despair with no way out. I know this because one of the people I hold dearest in the entire world suffers from depression and right now is in one of the deepest, darkest bottomless pits I have ever seen them descend into.

I want to reach out to them and tell them that all will be well, and I have, many time! To them however, they just can't see how it can be. Everything is so overwhelming that they cannot get out of bed. For them there is no light at the end of the tunnel. I suggested medication and that route is being explored, however it takes quite some time before the medicine will take effect, and then there are side effects and dosing issues. In the meantime, the darkness continues to spread throughout their life, contacting and in many cases, swallowing everything in its path.

I see rifts in our relationship because of this illness and I don't want them to be there. I want to shake this person and tell them to snap out of it, even though I know that they cannot. I want to cry, to scream, to beg this disease to go away. I pray and pray and pray for them. I miss my friend deeply and so want them to come back to being the person that I adore.

I know that they want it too and are trying their best to over come and return to the land of the living. It is so hard to just sit by while they go through this. How can I best help my friend? Where do I start?


What I am Thankful for Today:
Sunshine
Friends
God
Prayer

Who I am Praying for Today
My friend suffering from depression
My friend and his family who received the cancer diagnosis
My children, and their continued health and growth and wisdom.
My Dad as he faces his brother's funeral
Safe Travels for all of us this weekend as we go to Minneapolis for the funeral.