WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU WANT TO HOLD ON

I've been having a good time out and about lately visiting my sister. She lives about 1 1/2 hours away so I don't get there often enough.

The first time I went we decided to do some work in her bedroom so that she would have some space to do her Fit Yummy Mommy workouts.

We did a great job (I should have got some pictures! Darn!) but when we were finished, it still seemed too heavy for a smaller room.

She's moved fairly often lately, both of her recent houses have had a very roomy and beautiful bedroom space for her to kick back – she's a working single mom of 5 kids/young adults and needs the decompression area IMHO.

SO I HAD AN IDEA!

A simply brilliant idea!

Part of the problem was that she had a king size bed overpowering the room – it was taking up valuable real estate – and seriously – she isn't that big!

My husband and I had been considering getting a larger bed for quite some time, we have been using my grandmother's antique spindle bed – beautiful, full of sentiment but not practical as it is a tad on the small size – and I could use a change.

It's not his bed, really!

We offered a new mattress (which we got on sale!) since it was time for a new one and hers is almost new – it worked out perfectly.

WITH A TWIST

Our daughter also needed a new bed. I wasn't 100% sure that I really needed such a large bed – my household theme is clear spaces and I need workout room in my bedroom too – so you guessed it – we decided to give it to her and shop for a new one for ourselves instead.

She of course, LOVES it. 

BUT…

That's not the end of the story. This is where it really begins.

It occurred to me that she may as well take the chair and table that matched the theme of the bed, she loves to read like me and had mentioned wanting to put a chair in one corner.

They were also our grandparents family furniture. There is no one else I would have given it to other than my immediate family, so this was a great burden off and a treasured new belonging for her.

I also had a chair in my office that was our grandfather's chair, the one he sat in in their living room. Every time I sit in it I think of him. That room is quite small and I had been considering moving it for some time – so I took a deep breath and asked her if she wanted them both.

She said sure, she could use them and we got ready to move them.

BUT…

I found myself floundering. Did I really want to get rid of both chairs? I found that wasn't really the question. I was attached to them. I liked them. Actually, I LOVED them.

Even though I barely ever sat in them. 

So it was coming down to the nitty gritty.

If I truly wanted to create some space in my home, I was at the point of removing things that I was attached to.

Could I do it?

THE ANSWER IS YES

I had some moments of heart palpitations and wondering if I had made the wrong move, but in the end I knew that they were perfect for her (and they were) and that I would be free to create a more functional and freeing space for myself as well.

And I did.

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Do you find yourself keeping things that bind you because you are bound to the thing?

Can you find a new way to deal with it?

Is there someone that can use it better than you can?

Someone that would love it too?

I did get lucky that it was my sister who also shared my grandparents so they meant the same to her as they did to me – but what about the other stuff?

The stuff that you are keeping just because you can't let go.

The stuff that is keeping you in clutter and not enough room to live the way you want to – with clear spaces and new horizons. Have another look at it and consider another home for it. A better home.

How DO you let go…

WHEN YOU JUST WANT TO HOLD ON

Ask yourself this question.

How much is clear space worth?

My answer?

Clear space creates more room for me. Room to think, room to move, room to breathe.

Room to live. 

Less to look after, less to manage, less to think about.

How much is clear space worth? 

Priceless. 

Another big plus…

Clearing space is a good way to build your letting go muscles in all areas of your life.

You can ask yourself these questions when you want to let go of anything but just keep holding on.

• What is the new clear space in your life worth to you?

• How does it free you?

• What kind of new space will it create?

• What are the possibilities? 

WHAT STAYS? 

I'm not saying clear your house of everything. Keep what you love if you have room for it and if it is serving you well.

It's the stuff you love that's sitting in the corner or closet collecting dust that someone else can use better that you may want to see in a new light – at somebody else's house :0) 

I am going to be posting some pictures in part two that I took during the process of tearing down and rebuilding my office and bedroom when the bed and chairs were gone. It didn't get done by itself. Imagine that!

I had a weekend of total KAOS, but in the end, I was a very happy camper. 

Stay tuned as I journey towards freedom…

Post from: Queen of KAOS - Living Clean...

Learning to Let Go – Part One

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2. Spring Cleaning Challenge – Day 2
3. Empty Space is Good Feng Shui
4. Messy House? – What Are You Telling Yourself?
5. Decluttering – another layer bites the dust…

I've been tuning in the past few weeks and I have to say that I find it fascinating. I guess that most things taken to the extreme are.

What I find the most interesting, once past the initial shock and awe, are the valuable insights that the hoarder's themselves share with us.

Believe it or not, if you are suffering from clutter, KAOS, or chronic disorganization, you can probably learn something from this show. 

Why? Because I believe that just like anything else, half the battle is mindset – and they share with us what is happening with them inside of their head.

Although you are probably working on a smaller scale, it could still be one thing – one revelation – or it could be a few that may help to put you back on top of your game. Hoarders can help you with that. Who would have thought?

Over the coming weeks I will be discussing some of the revelations that strike me as worth pointing out.

AND

Between commercial breaks, what else is a girl to do when watching a tv show called Hoarders than declutter or clean something?

Care to join me?

I have often found that commercial breaks are a great time to get things done on those days that you really want to watch a show or just feel like flopping out, but still have lots to do. If you can't get Hoarders, you can use this technique during any tv show. Just get in the habit and you will be amazed at what you'll accomplish.

Besides, this truly can be a difficult show to watch – moving around helps get the antsies out! 

My friend Cara, the Household Helper sent me the link for show times etc.

You can get more Hoarders information here  http://www.aetv.com/hoarders/.

There is a lot of interesting stuff on both sites – just remember – browse on your own free time (when you need a sit break… bring along your timer) – every minute you spend there you could be tackling your own pile.

The Hoarders site is great inspiration as well to go clean something. If you're looking for motivation, you could set your timer for 1 minute to look (30 seconds might do it!), then 5 minutes to clean. With gusto!

HERE'S WHAT I DID

I need to backtrack a bit for this one, I will have more pictures coming soon about it – short story – we have been working on renovations in our kitchen – the long awaited day finally came when I got a 'real' counter top'.

When we built our house it was one of the things that could wait – and it did! Funny how that happens – and irritating!

(note to self – that's a good example of mindset – had I said 'no, it can't wait' because I was in the mindset that I couldn't live without a proper counter top odds are that I would have had one years ago.) 

So of course after the counter tops, we HAD to sand down and refinish the cupboards – and the floor will be coming next.

It's a slow job – my husband is home on weekends only so we have some long breaks in between. So you will notice a mess. It's not always that way – at least not most of the time!

I can't wait to be posting pictures of the completely finished kitchen, I can tell you that. But the nicest thing is that it is in progress – and the ball is rolling.

While we are on the subject, is there something that you can get rolling? That is no longer 'ok'?

First step is to figure out what it is. What's nagging you? (that is my favourite question to ask myself when I get that 'nagging' feeling that I should be doing something other than what I am doing. It's NOT a question that I ask my husband – you know what answer I usually get!)

The next step is to decide to do it. Then set your timer and get rolling. 

BACK TO WHAT I DID

I was away for most of the weekend when my husband started this project. That meant that things I would have covered or put away etc did not get covered or put away. Just coated in sawdust.

One of the things that needed immediate attention where the contents of our drawers. Cutlery goes in the top, tea towels and dish cloths go in the middle and storage containers for lunches etc go in the bottom.

Or used to.

When I sat down to watch Hoarders they were in a pile on a sheet of plywood covered in sawdust!

Here's what I was dealing with for the first drawer.

All of it had to be washed and put away… here. Notice the drawers are missing. They needed to be wiped as well since they were full of – you guessed it – sawdust…

This is what it looked like when the shows were over (there are two on back to back. i got started about half way through the first one.) Added bonus? My youngest daughter also likes to watch the show and she helped me – she even continued a few times while I went back to watch the show. Can't beat that!

I was quite happy – we had our cutlery clean and back where it belonged – until the next round when we finish the drawers. I was beat so I left this containers and odds and ends until morning to dry and hit the sack.  

When I woke up, they were still there! Imagine that!

Even more surprising? I didn't want to do them. It looked a tad too much to do and I didn't feel like doing it.

SO WHAT DID I DO?

I set the timer of course.

5 Minutes.

With a few extra when it rang I was able to finish up and get all three drawers back into working order. 

With a few give/throw aways to boot! I always like that. When I clear space, that's when I feel like I'm really getting somewhere rather than just straightening, cleaning or moving things around.

And it never would have happened if it wasn't for doing something a little different. Making it a game. Using time that otherwise would have been completely wasted.

It truly is amazing what you can do with 5 minutes of focused time. 5 minutes multiplied a few times can change your life – if you use those 5 minutes wisely.

And I'm willing to bet that you have lots of ways that you can use 5 minutes wisely! 

Stay tuned, Wednesday is coming up again soon, I already have another project in mind…

To define your life on your terms. And it all starts at home.

NEED SOME HELP?

I would love for you to subscribe to TAKE 5 – Bootcamp for Dustbunnies .

You will receive a daily 5 minute target to make your home 5 minutes nicer every day – you will be surprised at the power of 5 minutes. I know I am, every day.

You'll also receive a printable of the complete list of 31 day targets and a quick checklist to make it even easier for you.

And you can stay up to date on the goings on around here that will help you to conquer your KAOS and get to the good stuff.

If you are already subscribed, stay tuned!

Post from: Queen of KAOS - Living Clean...

Hoarders – Between the Lines

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And then giving yourself an out with your self talk?

I do!

This is one of the main culprits to having piles spring up miraculously on their own!

To finding yourself behind on your taxes, finding yourself with nothing good to make for dinner, finding yourself overweight and out of shape or finding yourself frustrated and giving up – before you even really get started! 

One of the habits that I have discovered to be my biggest roadblock to achievement in almost every area is my habit of saying to myself..

• "I will later if I can".  or

• "If I can … then I will …"

NO MORE

Guess what works better. I've already tried it and it makes ALL of the difference.

I AM. 

"I AM going to …"

That's it. 

TRY IT

Catch yourself. If you do something similar, every time you do it, catch yourself doing it.

Call yourself on it.

And then just do it.

Self talk your way into it, not out of it. Don't take no for an answer! 

Do it now.

Or decide when you will do it.

Don't say "Maybe", "If I can" or "I will".

You can. You really can. If you really want to. 

SAY "I AM" 

If you practice this one skill, I can guarantee that if you are prone to procrastinating or wondering why you often drop the ball on important things – you will see a big change and feel a lot better.

I have this saying written on the white board on my wall. It's my new motto. 

POWER = Doing What You Say You Will. Doing What You Know You Should.

Period.

Post from: Queen of KAOS - Living Clean...

I AM

No related posts.

There is just so darn much to do!

I spent some time this morning thinking about what is the best advice I could give you to start your year out with a bang – and to keep it that way.

Here it is.

Generally, I find that there are three areas to do this process for – family/home, myself, work/business so I do this process for each one.  

YOU ARE HERE X

Take a minute to think about where you are right now. Do a quick 'big picture' map – in your head or on paper. Don't think about it too much. Just identify where you are now.

Then identify your ONE BIG THING. The thing that jumps out at you right now as something that you would like to change. 

What's the thing, more than anything, that you want to tackle and WIN – RIGHT NOW. 

WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE -

With a Twist…

Now take a minute to imagine what it will be like when you get there. This is important because it is the first step to helping you to believe it is possible, to really FEEL what it will be like – and to help you to make a plan to get there. 

The twist? Be sure that you are clear about one thing.

When you decide what your one big thing is – it will be the one that jumps out at you.

It may be small – or it may be large enough to be broken down into a few smaller things – but here's the deal.

It has to be what you want – what gives you joy -

NOT WHAT YOU WISH.

There is a subtle difference, but it's the difference between wishing and getting your 'thing'.

This year is about joy. About using happiness as your compass. The thing that you really WANT TO DO.

THAT'S what will get you there.

WHAT YOU WON'T DO 

Before you decide HOW – what steps you will take – decide what can you eliminate.

The number one reason for failure that I am seeing all around me today is – too much going on. Too much distraction. Not enough focus. Not enough time.

The number one fix is to remove anything and everything that doesn't fit – the things that are taking you AWAY FROM YOUR HAPPINESS – what ever you have decided that is.

If you're still wondering exactly what that is, it's the thing that gives you a tingle when you think about it – the thing that makes your heart go pitter patter.

The thing that makes you shine. 

Probably the thing that you think you don't have time for because you think you should be doing something else. 

NOW WORK ON YOUR PLAN

The next step is to break it down into manageable pieces, make a plan on exactly WHAT YOU WILL DO to get them done.

Then you need to set up a system to do them.

It needs to be consistent and simple.

If you can do those two things, you can do anything.

One day at a time. 

HAVE SOME FUN

Download a free copy of Your Simple Plan, a simplified doodle that you can hang up to remind yourself when life gets too hectic.

It's a little wacky (I am no arteest), but we may as well have a little fun, right?

WHAT'S MY THING?

The thing that makes me shine, to feel happy inside is to keep my house nice for my family and myself – a place where we can grow and prosper, a place that is functional and uplifting.  

My other thing? I want that for you and your family too.  That's what I've been all about here for the past 3 years. And I want to do more.

I want to create a place where you can make all of this possible. I want you to do more than read about it and move on. I want you to do it. To be happy and fulfilled.

To define your life on your terms. And it all starts at home.

YOUR FIRST STEP?

Subscribe to TAKE 5. You will receive a daily 5 minute target to make your home 5 minutes nicer every day – you will be surprised at the power of 5 minutes.

I know I am. Every day.

You'll also receive a printable of the complete list of 31 day targets and a quick checklist to make it even easier for you.

I will keep you posted there about all the new things that I have in store for you this year. Coming right up!

If you are already subscribed, stay tuned! 

Post from: Queen of KAOS - Living Clean...

My Simple Goal Setting Plan

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4. The Biggest Decision
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It's officially the first day of 2010.

If this morning is any indication, it's going to be a productive year.

I woke up and immediately started cleaning up and arranging some new plants that I bought for our bathroom yesterday.

Then I went downstairs and washed the dishes that were on the counter from our 'festivities'. (that's hot chocolate and munchies these days. I can tell you, it's not so bad in the morning!)

Then I got a hankering to do meal planning and got really excited about our counter top that is finally being finished.

Then I brought my tea in to sit back down in bed and type this up on my laptop, adding a dab of lavender essential oil to my pillow – I did it last night too!

There's only one explanation for all of this.

Last night when I went to sleep I must have had a visit from the ghost of Martha Stewart of New Year's past – or something like that.

HOW ABOUT YOU?

How are you feeling this morning? Or should I ask.

Don't worry, you will come around to 2010 with the rest of, a little later.

All of this got me thinking, not for the first time…

WHAT ABOUT A NO KAOS CLUB? 

I'm thinking a monthly theme to help us to focus and develop good habits.

Along with information and support to put easy, simple systems in place to get it done and keep it that way. To make it more fun.

To make time with the family. Time for you too. 

No more guilt for the things we aren't doing because we will be doing them.  

It would be affordable, I want everyone to use it and love it and feel good in passing it along to their friends.

The place for us KAOS magnets to stick together

… and combat KAOS of course :0)

I'd really like to do this so I'm willing to bribe you with lots of freebies inside as well as very low first in pricing. That's very low by normal mom standards, NOT very low as in ONLY $100 per month you lucky devil you. I'm thinking somewhere about $7 per month with a few first month free membership prizes up for grabs.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Tell me what you think below.

Yay or Nay? 

Post from: Queen of KAOS - Living Clean...

Did I Die and Wake Up Martha Stewart?

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