I'm baaaaack! Kathy and I -- and pretty much everyone else -- had a really great time. I've been MIA for 3+ weeks because I've been on a paper-filing, computer-file-organizing, housecleaning, website-updating binge. I kept doing it because I WAS doing it -- I usually flake out after a coupla hours, and I NEVER have sustained this much unpleasant work more than 2 days. So as long as I was on a roll, I wasn't gonna quit!

Quite probably the convention was the catalyst. The AHA! moment was when I realized that my biggest problem in getting where I need to in life is -- not lack of confidence, not lack of talent or creativity, not lack of goals -- but the presence of 500 tons of clutter and stuff I don't want to do, hanging around my neck. The stuff that I always avoid, and then get depressed because there's too much and I'm overwhelmed, so then I don't do it and I get even more depressed.

So I did it. Not everything that needs to be done, but an awful lot and I'm really proud. No depression and no computer games. I followed a schedule for 3 weeks of stupid boring things, and when one stupid boring thing threatened to overwhelm me, I just switched gears and did another different stupid boring thing. All day, every day (except when I had to attend to the jewelry biz), no breaks. I didn't give up, not once.

This is my first break of unscheduled relaxation. I work over the weekend. Then Monday, I finish off the last batch of "stuff" I have scheduled. Tuesday I order the bathroom tile (remember the tiles? OK, I've been sidetracked...), buy the bathroom paint, and start painting.

I'm really amazed at how much I did.

Meredith, reading your post gave me my own AHA moment. I need a good kick in the behind to gut this place out. Where do I start and how do I keep it up. I have made several attempts but can't stay focused. My sister is coming to visit in July. I need to be motivated now though. Any suggestions?

chick

I'm so glad you posted this, Meredith. I need the encouragement to clean up. Now I need to put the time into it.

Great going Meridith!

I've learned over the years that organizing and cleaning my house as well as being there almost 24/7 with a business is a big PAIN!

I have a big problem with papers and then my 2nd area of horror is my garage. I realized that since I left NY I don't do spring and fall cleaning, the way I'd grown up with. Funny how the seasons aren't so cut and dry as they were in NY, when I didn't have enough space to have two or three seasons of cloths in the closet.


I have hired organizers in the past, and this time I found an organizer to barter with and she's already cracked the whip once (I did give her permission) and will do so again next week.

It's amazing what I'll do with someone standing over me

The other thing I do is host Integrity Days... to keep me in integrity and organizing is one of the many things I do.

Wow, Meridith. You really stuck to it! And you seem to have motivated others to do the same. Thanks for sharing.

HIP, HIP, HOORAH, Meredith....Doesn't it feel really good to know the jobs nearly all behind you now. The key is to keep up with it now and not let things get to that depressing point again.

been doing something similare becouse i get readiy to move house but i having trouble being consistent with getting the junk out the way as i don't want to moce it then have to throw it away ...once done i feel better and less sufficated thanks Mbead for not giving up and doing it dailie...i should follow your lead

OK, I'm starting tomorrow...I promise. I'd rather sit down and cry. I hardly know where to begin. I promise never to be a pack rat again. It is so hard for me to get rid of stuff. And it's just stuff. Where is a good place to start? Any suggestions?

chick

Hello...my name is Queen Jaw Jaw and I'm a pack rat. (sigh...)

Hello...my name is Chickadee and I am a pack rat. (sigh)