Back again. Been busier than I thought this week, but life is like that sometimes.

Celtic, you're doing pretty good, gal. Chick, at least you're doing something creative on your table! Those pics are wonderful! Everyone -- happy to be of inspiration where I may

There were two parts to the 3-week clean-a-thon: attitude; and specific plans of action. I'll start with attitude.

Cleaning has always depressed me. Filing things has always depressed me. Organizing depresses me (unless it's beads, and then I'm good to go.) But the problem with being depressed about all this stuff is, it never gets done. And then it just gets worse, and I'm overwhelmed, and then I get depressed some more. And then I avoid doing that stuff, because of all of the above. Sound familiar to anyone here?

So the first thing I had to do was break out of that cycle, which is basically a rut.

At the conference all weekend, I kept saying that my biggest problem was time management -- time management being a buzz word for all that cleaning-filing-organizing stuff that I hate. And then something funny happened -- on the last day of the conference, pretty close to the last hour, I stood up in front of everyone and announced that time management was no longer my problem, because I had it under control.

Just like that. A public declaration that I could do something which I had never managed to do before. And in announcing it, I committed to doing it.

And then I wrote down: "My time is valuable. My time is my life. Every moment I waste time, I waste the gift that life has given me.

I will not waste time, because I'm more precious than that. I will not waste my life, because life is precious and I am precious, and I deserve better than to be wasted.

I control my destiny and I control my time. Whatever time I have been given in this life, I will use it wisely."

I repeated this aloud the whole time on my drive home, about 1 hour, while thinking about all the things I was going to do. I imagined myself succeeding -- not being overwhelmed -- and told myself that it was no longer a problem.

In other words -- instead of thinking about how I had failed in the past, I envisioned how I would succeed in the future. Instead of being overwhelmed by the task, I told myself I was stronger than the task. I renamed it -- the chores went from "impossible" to "no problem."

And I did it. Three weeks worth. (Had to do a bunch of jewelry catch-up this week.) Like boulders were lifted from my soul. And tomorrow's chores? No problem. They will be done.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT: Write down whatever you need to do. Keep it in perspective -- this is not cancer, it isn't a child on drugs -- it's CLUTTER, okay? And you are better than that. And stronger than that.

Then write down a statement of empowerment. You can use mine above, or make up your own. Print it out. SAY IT OUT LOUD. Again.

And post it here, in the Forums, where 1000 women will read what you wrote and hold you to it.

Because we believe in you.

next post: some of my how-to's.

Meredith, I am so glad to har you walked away from the conference feeling motivated. Tha'ts what it's all about girl. Three cheers for Meredith. Then you bring you excitement to us so we can catch the spirit. Thank you!

Chick, I can't believe you make those things. Oh my gosh girl. That's unbelievable. Heck, I'd feel good if my counter space was cluttered with such creativity. Do you work on these daily?

My kitchen desk is my spot to clutter and the kitchen bench is Ross's spot to clutter, and we're good at it. I think it's time!

One thing I learned and try very hard to remember is that junk mail should only be touched once!

You wouldn't believe the number of catalogs I toss without even looking at them. The waste of paper is sinful.

Meredith, thank you for posting. I am going to get started as soon as I get back from my fishing trip. I am actually looking forward to it. I will post it here for everyone to see so I will be monitored.

I have lots of paper too Dotsie, wish I could recycle it.

I play with my 'clay' almost every day. I love it. A great release if your over-stressed and a great way to have fun when you're alone. I'd recommend everyone get a box(under 10 dollars) and see what you can do.
All the pics are unfinished pieces, I'll post one finished piecelater.

chick, I'm laughing at your recommendation for me to get clay. The only thing I can do with clay is build a snowman.

Chick, doesn't your town recycle paper?

Chick, I knew a woman who made tea cup fairies. They were remarkable and she built quite a nice business.

When there's too much clutter I start in one place and my mantra is "one piece of paper at a time." Before you know it, the space is clean. Yeah!

Hey, is anyone going to share the beauty and face lift secrets you learned?

Saundra...
You don't need a face lift...you look 15 in your picture...