Clear environment, clear mind?

Photo by Jasper Boer on Unsplash

I've started "nesting". Why you may ask, would a menopausal woman be acting like she is just about to give birth?! Well, we do have a new arrival this week - a cute ball of chocolate brown fur in the shape of a puppy. She is a long awaited replacement for our last dog, and I just can't wait! However, this time, I am also without children, so she will have my full attention.

Finally Meg has arrived! :)

Maybe because of this and maybe because we actually need a fresher environment, we have gone into a whirlwind of activity - painting, sewing and de-cluttering...

Hmmm... De-cluttering.

I have long thought it would be a good idea to have less "stuff", but I want to have a history - a story to look back on. I have the (perhaps unfortunate) romantic view that my grandchildren  will rummage in my attic in years to come and find the old photos, the newspapers of historic events, their parent's school books and soft toys from every decade since the 1960's. Of course they will be thrilled and spend hours looking through it all.... hmmmm... 🤔

Photo by Christopher Flynn on Unsplash

Having a history, for me, also means holding onto my parent's and also grandparent's "stuff" when they have passed on. Every item I got that my father owned (whether I remember it or not) means so much. How can I throw it away?!

So the attic gets fuller much to my husband (Mr "minimalist is the way to go") 's annoyance.

But...

To compromise, recently I agreed to start sorting it out. I get to keep the precious stuff but it's labelled and stored in an organised way. What a great few days! I never thought I would feel so invigorated! I'm still only half way through, but I can't wait to carry on!

Downstairs, I started to do the same. The nesting spirit took an additional grip once we decided to get the puppy and I now stare at my house as if it's not mine! Between us, over the last few weeks, we have (after writing a huge list) completed all those little jobs that slip away in your mind, but annoy you every time you are reminded of them.

Take for example my lounge curtains. Since buying them, I haven't been happy. They are not wide enough to pull correctly, but I bought the largest size because to have them made costs the earth! Now, I smile every time I close them, looking with pride at the additional contrasting panels I added.

A little extra can make all the difference!

I can truly say that de-cluttering has improved my outlook. Ok, so I don't have a minimalist pad (sorry, darling!) but it is cleaner, fresher and looking more like it should appear on apartmenttherapy.com!

Not quite this tidy... but better! Photo by tu tu on Unsplash

As for me, well, I do feel refreshed and clearer- headed. There seems less to worry about despite still having a list of to-dos. I know where I  am focused.

Ah, lists... That's a whole new topic of discussion.... another time...

Clearing has made me a better person. Better at tidying up at least! I don't want to mess up the look... It's the stuff I have read about and now and again strive for. How long this will last with a new puppy remains to be seen...but I'm starting where I mean to go on from.

So, if you are in need of clearing your mind (Even if you as going to use the space for other more interesting thoughts), I can recommend taking some time to de-clutter, even the smallest space. And finish one room before moving on. Have that complete sense of achievement that we so often strive for, but, as women in our multi-tasking world, often become distracted from.

Go for it and let me hear your de-clutter stories! What did you achieve and how did it make you feel? Any amazing endings? I for one am hoping that the space I've made in my mind will help me work out my business block. Who knows?

I love this quote. Such an inspiration when you are trying to declutter...

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful".

- William Morris.