Ask:
I am so excited, I just had to share. And I knew that you ladies would understand. I am in SERIOUS need of decluttering and purging. Because of "life" the past couple of years, our house has gotten COMPLETELY out of control. There is not one room that is completely presentable, or without piles of stuff that "has to be gone through." It is seriously out of hand. And recently, I have come to realize just how much it is bothering my dh - and causing some serious resentment on his part. Rightfully so, I might add. Anyway, I decided that THIS IS THE YEAR! We are decluttering and seriously purging - although this is very difficult for me. I have a very hard time getting rid of stuff. But I have decided that my relationship, my home, and my sanity are much more important.
So, I have taken on the commitment to simplify my life. And with that comes the Five for the Road Challenges! Since I had just cleaned out my fridge this weekend, I decided to tackle my bathroom today instead. And I got up the courage (yes, it took courage) to throw away so many half-used bottles of lotion that I don't use/like, make-up, nail stuff, etc. etc. I filled two bag fulls to take to the garbage, and found several things for the yard sale box. I also added some new 'goodies' to my gift box for random gifts for this next year. And the crazy thing is - I only got halfway through the bathroom! (It's not that big - honest!) I still have more to get rid of tomorrow!
But I am SOOOO excited - it really does feel good to let things go. I mean, why am I keeping those lotions that I got as a wedding present from a girl I don't even see any more? Who am I keeping these things for? I know this is a long ramble, but I am so excited, and hope I can keep this up! I HAVE to. It's a very small victory, but a victory nonetheless!
Answer:
That is awesome! I have the same problem with not wanting to get rid of stuff and I also see dh resenting me in some way for it! It is sad that the only reason I hang onto stuff is because I think that if we have a garage sale at least I will get some money out of it!
So good for you that should make you feel really good! Now I think that you may have just motivated me to just get rid of the stuff I have!
Answer:
My dh is very similar. If I had married a disorganized person, my life would be a disaster. He feels very strongly about so few things but he has often said, "I can't live in clutter. When the house is cluttered, I feel cluttered and I can't relax." Keeping the house clutter free (a continual challenge) is my gift to him, and as it turns out my gift to my family. My ds has special needs and when the house is tidy and organized, he is so much more relaxed and confident too. I'm not always successful but I'm a work in progress.
Answer:
musicmousetn- Im proud of you. I know who hard throwing things out can be for some people. It goes way beyond the actual things. Good for you and with every bag of trash you can know that you are buying back a piece of your control over your life.
Answer:
That is awesome! You've inspired me. I'm going to do it too....wish me luck!
Answer:
Hooray for you! The bathroom is a GREAT choice to do first because it can be finished pretty quickly and will be a HUGE inspiration to carry on with your awesome work! Everytime you use it think " Hey I did this, and I can do anything!".... Let us know when your bathroom is finished and where you are headed next in the house!
Answer:
That is SO GREAT!!! Good for you!
Answer:
I am trying to do the same thing. With me working nights hubby working days and 4 kids.The house looks like a tornado went though it. I never seem to find the time or energy to get it all done.
Answer:
Good for you! It is a huge deal. When you are a SAHM alot of times you just dont have the time to get around to doing things. I struggle daily with keeping my house 'company ready'. I usually do a good job but I feel that I am sacrificing giving my kids attention while I clean for at minumum two hours a day! (yes it takes me at least two hours a day to make beds, clean the kitchen and bathrooms and do at least two loads of laudry wash-fold-and put away. Along with the other things like cleaning up spilled drinks/food, picking up toys, getting the mail and throwing away trash). Sometimes I have to tell myself just leave it, your son is asking 'mommy will you play a game with me' and I hear myself telling him several times a day 'give mommy a minute' or 'not right now' and the look of disappointment on his face just breaks my heart. I grew up in a PERFECTLY clean home. My mother has OCD. She has a severe problem with germs and I was raised in a home that looked like no children ever lived there. We were not allowed to ever have toys anywhere in the house but our rooms. We werent allowed to play games in the living room or dining room. I dont have one memory of my mother ever sitting down playing with us or taking us to the park or playing a game or just tickling us. I want my kids to remember mom was fun. Mom loved spending time with us and mom was there. My mom spent her entire day working outside of the home as a nurse so when she came home from work she would start dinner and clean and laundry and all that stuff. I can remember being in first grade with a stool in kitchen (which is where our washer and dryer was) sorting laundry and washing it and folding it and using the stool to hang the clothes up or put them in the top drawer of the dresser. I can remember having my own alarm clock to wake myself and my brother up for school and making us breakfast in first grade. I dont want my kids to have to do that because I am too busy or too tired or just not there.
Sorry this has became so long. My point is it is very hard to have things perfect. Even for those who do keep things perfect there is a sacrfice made to someone somewhere along the line. Now I do truely believe that a clean house makes it more comfortable for your family to live there. I know how stressed I feel when things are messy and kids feel the same way. They dont know what to play with. They dont know where to start. They cant find things and then they get frustrated. So your steps are in the long run going to make a better home for your family. That is the best gift you can give to them. Congrats for making a huge start! Keep it up and keep us posted on your progress!!!
Answer:
Congrats on your achievement! A small victory is still a victory. I'm right there with ya on this. I've got to get organized or go crazy!