So, did you work on your Big Thing? Maybe less than you expected to do? Don't worry, it will get done if you keep chipping away at it, 15 minutes at a time.
Let's try something else to conquer that mountain of clutter. Throw away one thing a day. Now, I don't mean something that needs to be sorted and organized before you can throw anything away. That would be your next Big Thing, after you've finished your first Big Thing. I'm talking about that old box of crackers or cereal, that plastic container in the back of the fridge, that broken something in the corner. Something that you can toss in a minute or two, without thinking about it, something that doesn't need any preliminary action before discarding. If you can donate it, put it with the other things to be donated (you know you have a pile for that!). If you do that several times a week, you will be surprised what a difference it will make in your home. As the clutter clears your mind will be more relaxed and your home will feel more like a home.
So for right now, we are working on a big project for 15 minutes a day, and throwing away something we don't need or want. Let me know how it goes!
Friday, March 8, 2013
Friday, March 1, 2013
Home - A Sanctuary
Home. The word evokes many images of comfort and warmth. Above all, home should be our sanctuary, a soft place to fall when the world is cold and hard, a refuge from our troubles. Is your home like that? In this series, we will explore different ways to make our house (or apartment or condo) a true home.
First, we'll explore some physical ways to make our house a home, then we'll move on to the deeper psychological underpinnings of what makes a home a real home.
First, a disclaimer. I am by no means perfect, or even close, in this area. I got married and moved two years ago and still have some unpacked boxes. There are things to be tossed and donated. Cleaning is one of those things that I plan to do and then life gets in the way. So I expect to learn right alongside everybody else about how to do it better.
One of the most basic things that we can do to make our homes more comfortable is to declutter. Clutter not only takes up physical space but also takes up mental space. It's just hard to relax in a cluttered place. But decluttering is always difficult because there are other things to do, like jobs, taking care of children and husbands, pets, and regular daily upkeep of your living quarters. De-cluttering seems like such a huge project that would take an even huger amount of time that just isn't available. You know those home improvement shows where the organizing expert gets a person's home filed and cleaned up and put neatly away all in one or two days? Well, they have a lot of extra hands to help out! Hey, I could do that too if I had nothing but free time all weekend and a whole bunch of people to order around!
But most of us don't have either of those. So, what should we do?
I recently heard a person say "Do the hardest thing first". It makes sense. A person uses a lot of mental energy trying not to think about that Thing that needs to be done but keeps getting put off. Just think how much freer you will feel once that Big Thing is done!
But finding time to do it is hard. Very hard. But here is what I try to do. I try to give just 15 minutes a day to the Big Thing. I may not finish everything, but I will get something done, and usually more than I think I will, and still have time to cook (and clean up -but that's a different post) dinner.
Right now my Big Thing is finishing putting away Christmas decorations. Seriously. Some health problems sidelined me earlier this year and I'm way behind, even for me. But I'm determined to get this done before Easter, which is coming up at an earlier time than usual this year. (Story of the year from a floor's viewpoint - pine needles, Easter grass, regular grass, mud, snow, pine needles again!)
First, we'll explore some physical ways to make our house a home, then we'll move on to the deeper psychological underpinnings of what makes a home a real home.
First, a disclaimer. I am by no means perfect, or even close, in this area. I got married and moved two years ago and still have some unpacked boxes. There are things to be tossed and donated. Cleaning is one of those things that I plan to do and then life gets in the way. So I expect to learn right alongside everybody else about how to do it better.
One of the most basic things that we can do to make our homes more comfortable is to declutter. Clutter not only takes up physical space but also takes up mental space. It's just hard to relax in a cluttered place. But decluttering is always difficult because there are other things to do, like jobs, taking care of children and husbands, pets, and regular daily upkeep of your living quarters. De-cluttering seems like such a huge project that would take an even huger amount of time that just isn't available. You know those home improvement shows where the organizing expert gets a person's home filed and cleaned up and put neatly away all in one or two days? Well, they have a lot of extra hands to help out! Hey, I could do that too if I had nothing but free time all weekend and a whole bunch of people to order around!
But most of us don't have either of those. So, what should we do?
I recently heard a person say "Do the hardest thing first". It makes sense. A person uses a lot of mental energy trying not to think about that Thing that needs to be done but keeps getting put off. Just think how much freer you will feel once that Big Thing is done!
But finding time to do it is hard. Very hard. But here is what I try to do. I try to give just 15 minutes a day to the Big Thing. I may not finish everything, but I will get something done, and usually more than I think I will, and still have time to cook (and clean up -but that's a different post) dinner.
Right now my Big Thing is finishing putting away Christmas decorations. Seriously. Some health problems sidelined me earlier this year and I'm way behind, even for me. But I'm determined to get this done before Easter, which is coming up at an earlier time than usual this year. (Story of the year from a floor's viewpoint - pine needles, Easter grass, regular grass, mud, snow, pine needles again!)
So, what is your Big Thing that you need to get done? Can you work on it in 15 minute chunks every day? Of course, we know it really can't be done every day. Life happens. But if you can work on it most days, that's good. That's very good.
Friday, February 1, 2013
The Best Laid Plans . . .
Years ago I watched a sitcom episode where one of the main characters won a weekend trip to Paris. Unfortunately, she came down with the flu during the flight and spent the entire weekend in bed. That pretty much describes my recent vacation a few weeks ago.
My husband and I planned a week away at a favorite state park. The park is known for its eagle migration in January, and my hubby, who is an amateur wildlife photographer, wanted to get some new eagle photos. I'm fond of photography as well, though not so fond of standing outside for hours in bitter cold. I had planned to read, do some writing, and take a few pictures in the warmer afternoon weather. The husband came down with a bad cold a couple of weeks before our trip, and I thought I was free and clear. But a few days before we left, I started to come down with the sniffles, which turned into bronchitis before we came home. Most of my time was spent in the room, trying to summon enough energy to go out for dinner.
The funny thing is, it wasn't that bad of a vacation. If I had been sick at home, I would have spent a majority of my time fussing about everything I wasn't getting done (and making myself sicker by trying to do it anyway). But away from home, with no housework or chores to do, I was forced to rest. And since my vacation plans included laying around and taking it easy, those plans were not spoiled, other than the physical discomfort of sneezing, coughing and a very congested head. I got the rest I needed, we had a fire in the fireplace a few nights, and my Kindle kept me company while my husband was out photographing.
Missing Paris would have been a real downer. But laying around in a cabin for a week wasn't such a bad vacation after all.
My husband and I planned a week away at a favorite state park. The park is known for its eagle migration in January, and my hubby, who is an amateur wildlife photographer, wanted to get some new eagle photos. I'm fond of photography as well, though not so fond of standing outside for hours in bitter cold. I had planned to read, do some writing, and take a few pictures in the warmer afternoon weather. The husband came down with a bad cold a couple of weeks before our trip, and I thought I was free and clear. But a few days before we left, I started to come down with the sniffles, which turned into bronchitis before we came home. Most of my time was spent in the room, trying to summon enough energy to go out for dinner.
The funny thing is, it wasn't that bad of a vacation. If I had been sick at home, I would have spent a majority of my time fussing about everything I wasn't getting done (and making myself sicker by trying to do it anyway). But away from home, with no housework or chores to do, I was forced to rest. And since my vacation plans included laying around and taking it easy, those plans were not spoiled, other than the physical discomfort of sneezing, coughing and a very congested head. I got the rest I needed, we had a fire in the fireplace a few nights, and my Kindle kept me company while my husband was out photographing.
Missing Paris would have been a real downer. But laying around in a cabin for a week wasn't such a bad vacation after all.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Renewal
Renewal - the word brings to mind fresh starts, new ideas, creativity, reinventing one's self. For me, it's time to renew this blog.
Where have I been? Well, for the past few years I've been planning a wedding, working to save money for said wedding and struggling with unemployment. Time to write has been a scarce commodity.
My new husband and I also moved into a new place. Our apartment is in a lovely old building complete with dark wood features and a faux fireplace that came with an electric heater and simulated flames left behind by the previous tenant. I have always wanted a working fireplace, and this is the closest I'll probably find in the city.
Our home also faces a park, another scarce commodity in the city! Windows let in traffic noise from the busy street below but we have a lovely view of grass and trees and sunsets. And a farmer's market during the summer.
We also have south facing window boxes. Last year was too hectic to do anything with them, though I did enjoy the weeds(?) that sprouted spontaneously in them! This year I have plans for marigolds and herbs, including oregano, rosemary and sage.
Happy spring, everybody!
Where have I been? Well, for the past few years I've been planning a wedding, working to save money for said wedding and struggling with unemployment. Time to write has been a scarce commodity.
My new husband and I also moved into a new place. Our apartment is in a lovely old building complete with dark wood features and a faux fireplace that came with an electric heater and simulated flames left behind by the previous tenant. I have always wanted a working fireplace, and this is the closest I'll probably find in the city.
Our home also faces a park, another scarce commodity in the city! Windows let in traffic noise from the busy street below but we have a lovely view of grass and trees and sunsets. And a farmer's market during the summer.
We also have south facing window boxes. Last year was too hectic to do anything with them, though I did enjoy the weeds(?) that sprouted spontaneously in them! This year I have plans for marigolds and herbs, including oregano, rosemary and sage.
Happy spring, everybody!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Tomatoes - Not For Me
Well, unfortunately, my indoor tomato plants have failed again. :( Two out of three have died, and the remaining one has no blossoms. Sigh. I think I may have goofed when I put in a fertilizer stick into the pots. They did not react well. Next time I'm breaking one of those sticks into thirds before I try it again!
On the brighter side, I have had a bumper crop of mint, some good turnout of basil from a plant that is on its second year, and parsley and some lettuce. I need to sow some more lettuce seeds soon, so I can actually have enough for salad!
I also bought a chocolate geranium plant which seems to be fairly happy. I can't find my camera, so no pictures for now.
In spite of no-show tomatoes, it is very satisfying to be able to eat some food from my own indoor garden. What a great feeling!!
On the brighter side, I have had a bumper crop of mint, some good turnout of basil from a plant that is on its second year, and parsley and some lettuce. I need to sow some more lettuce seeds soon, so I can actually have enough for salad!
I also bought a chocolate geranium plant which seems to be fairly happy. I can't find my camera, so no pictures for now.
In spite of no-show tomatoes, it is very satisfying to be able to eat some food from my own indoor garden. What a great feeling!!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Spring Is Here!
"Spring has sprung, da grass is riz, I wonder where da birdies iz?" This is a little poem that my father used to recite. I tried to do research on it, and could only find that other people's parents also told it to them, and nobody can find any information on it! Oh, well.
I've cleared out my sunroom (well, it's a lot clearer than before), hung pictures and have my plants in the windowsill. Soon I'll post a picture. It's a bright, pretty room and should make a wonderful retreat, though it does get very hot in the direct sunlight!
I'm growing lettuce, basil, parsley, mint, marigolds, one golden pothos plant and some English ivy, which is trailing wonderfully. I will get a plant hanger soon so it can trail down to the floor and elsewhere. It is so much fun to grow food! There's nothing like having a salad and knowing that part of it came from your own garden. I'm going to try tomatoes again this year and see if I can get them to bloom and produce fruit. Perhaps some fertilizer will encourage them. Everything else seems to be quite happy, even though they are growing indoors. Perhaps some flowering annuals will be good to get, too, just to brighten up the room more. And another pot of marigolds.
It's fun to read the garden section of our local Sunday newspaper, though most of the advice is for people with backyards. I'm hoping that eventually more and more city people and apartment dwellers will be interested in growing plants indoors and more attention will be given to that endeavor. Why should people with houses have all of the fun?
Happy gardening to all!
I've cleared out my sunroom (well, it's a lot clearer than before), hung pictures and have my plants in the windowsill. Soon I'll post a picture. It's a bright, pretty room and should make a wonderful retreat, though it does get very hot in the direct sunlight!
I'm growing lettuce, basil, parsley, mint, marigolds, one golden pothos plant and some English ivy, which is trailing wonderfully. I will get a plant hanger soon so it can trail down to the floor and elsewhere. It is so much fun to grow food! There's nothing like having a salad and knowing that part of it came from your own garden. I'm going to try tomatoes again this year and see if I can get them to bloom and produce fruit. Perhaps some fertilizer will encourage them. Everything else seems to be quite happy, even though they are growing indoors. Perhaps some flowering annuals will be good to get, too, just to brighten up the room more. And another pot of marigolds.
It's fun to read the garden section of our local Sunday newspaper, though most of the advice is for people with backyards. I'm hoping that eventually more and more city people and apartment dwellers will be interested in growing plants indoors and more attention will be given to that endeavor. Why should people with houses have all of the fun?
Happy gardening to all!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Winter Wonderland
Well, it has been a while, hasn't it? Oh, dear, life just got sooooo busy. I am now working two part-time jobs, as well as trying to create an indoor garden!
This Chicago winter is living up fully to its reputation. For the past few years, we've had a decent amount of snow in December, only to have a ridiculously mild January. Well, that pattern seems to be over! This past weekend we ended up with a 10-inch snowfall in 24 hours, with only 1-3 inches predicted. Take that, weathermen!! Today we are under a winter weather advisory and blizzard warning, with a few more inches of snow predicted. It's beautiful, but hard to drive. My car has been stuck several times. This week we will have subzero temperatures, which will ensure several days at home for a while.
So far this winter, I've bought rock salt, two snow scrapers, a snow shovel to keep in my car, and a de-icer for my door locks. I've used everything but the de-icer.
Living in the city, I do not have a fireplace, something which belongs in every country cabin, right? But I do have a video of a log burning - no music, no sound other than the crackling of the fire. It's wonderful to watch, or just to have for background scenery. Fireplaces used to be a source not only of heat, and a cooking fire, but also entertainment. After a hard day's work, people would sit and stare at the fire, letting their thoughts unwind from the day's events. It must have been a calming way to end the day, much better than our current stimuli of TV and computers.
And now, the garden . . .
My tomato plants, which I grew from seed, grew strong and tall with blossoms, but the blossoms never opened. I eventually threw them out. A friend suggested that perhaps they needed a bit of fertilizer, which I think I will try next year.
I have been growing lettuce, which grows like a weed! Also, mint, basil, marigolds, and a new parsley plant which I bought from the store and a golden pothos from cuttings from a friendly woman on Freecycle. My basil is not quite dormant, but when all of its green leaves are gone, I will cut it down to about 6 inches (it's presently about 18 inches tall) and let it rest.
Well, time to go. Among my other activities planned for today, I need to transplant my lettuce and marigolds, and go dig out my car, which I'm sure has been blocked in by the city snowplows.
Keep warm and don't forget the hot chocolate!
This Chicago winter is living up fully to its reputation. For the past few years, we've had a decent amount of snow in December, only to have a ridiculously mild January. Well, that pattern seems to be over! This past weekend we ended up with a 10-inch snowfall in 24 hours, with only 1-3 inches predicted. Take that, weathermen!! Today we are under a winter weather advisory and blizzard warning, with a few more inches of snow predicted. It's beautiful, but hard to drive. My car has been stuck several times. This week we will have subzero temperatures, which will ensure several days at home for a while.
So far this winter, I've bought rock salt, two snow scrapers, a snow shovel to keep in my car, and a de-icer for my door locks. I've used everything but the de-icer.
Living in the city, I do not have a fireplace, something which belongs in every country cabin, right? But I do have a video of a log burning - no music, no sound other than the crackling of the fire. It's wonderful to watch, or just to have for background scenery. Fireplaces used to be a source not only of heat, and a cooking fire, but also entertainment. After a hard day's work, people would sit and stare at the fire, letting their thoughts unwind from the day's events. It must have been a calming way to end the day, much better than our current stimuli of TV and computers.
And now, the garden . . .
My tomato plants, which I grew from seed, grew strong and tall with blossoms, but the blossoms never opened. I eventually threw them out. A friend suggested that perhaps they needed a bit of fertilizer, which I think I will try next year.
I have been growing lettuce, which grows like a weed! Also, mint, basil, marigolds, and a new parsley plant which I bought from the store and a golden pothos from cuttings from a friendly woman on Freecycle. My basil is not quite dormant, but when all of its green leaves are gone, I will cut it down to about 6 inches (it's presently about 18 inches tall) and let it rest.
Well, time to go. Among my other activities planned for today, I need to transplant my lettuce and marigolds, and go dig out my car, which I'm sure has been blocked in by the city snowplows.
Keep warm and don't forget the hot chocolate!
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