In My Own Words - pgs 6-12

My stuff is a reflection of me, but I am not my stuff.

Our family is growing. Boys have outgrown clothes and toys. I’ve accumulated books and papers. I have hobbies and collections. I’ve inherited boxes and stuff is cheap.

Self storage is supposed to be temporary, but for me it has become a no-man’s land of stuff. It’s hard for me to throw away excess because everything seems important to me.

I have to imagine the life I want. Does the stuff I own contribute to the life I am hoping to achieve? Or is it getting in the way of my vision? Why is it in my home? Why is it in my life? Why do I cling to it?

___________________________________
From Peter Walsh’s book “It’s All Too Much”
written in my own words.

In My Own Words - pgs 1-6

I am overwhelmed with too much stuff. Just everything is suddenly overwhelming. Every corner of my home is filled with stuff. I’m over stimulated by the sheer amount of stuff that I have lost the ability to concentrate or focus on anything. I’m embarrassed that my house looks like a storage unit.

Worldly, unpredictable, dangerous stuff clutters my mind daily – email & news. I feel paralyzed and don’t know where to begin. I have decided that I no longer want stuff to overrun and control my life.

On the outside our family appears organized, but underneath there is tension. Chaos in our home is taking away from happiness.

I’m suffocating and feel like I can’t breathe. Something has to change. I can’t live like this, but I have no idea where to begin. (hopelessness)

I spend most of my time at home, and I what to be more comfortable here. Home is where change starts – where I live, breathe, rest, love, and create.

___________________________________
From Peter Walsh’s book “It’s All Too Much”
written in my own words.

The Dead Zone

This is where the Utility Room overflows
when it is full of stuff.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I have to admit that there was stuff here
that hadn’t been touched in a year.
Stuff with a layer of dust on it.
Opened mail that was not filed or thrown out.
Envelopes from cards that had addresses I wanted to copy.
Bags and boxes for rummage stuff
and a garbage can for junk mail.
(Great concepts – need to be implemented!)

There are plans for this space.
The boys have more ideas.
Their bedroom is just to the right.
Maybe they were tired of looking at it.
Do ya think?

The Telephone Tower

Another area has been decluttered.
Progress is being made,
but it is going slowly.
Not too much pain, yet.

This is where we keep
cell phones
library books
my purse
and anything else I need to grab
on my way
               out
                   the
                       door.

You’ll notice that I have changed the label
on the pictures to "during" (per the boys request).

They have some ideas to help decorate
in the after photos using things we have around the house.

Books About Organizing

I’ve read a lot of books regarding organizing.
Someday I’ll list them here.

But, this one really got me to thinking
that the reason I feel overwhelmed all the time
is because I simply have too much stuff.

It’s All Too Much:
An easy Plan for Living a Richer Life With Less Stuff
by Peter Walsh

I could’ve bought the book,
and highlighted every sentence of importance
like I usually do,
but instead I got it from the library and took notes.

I made my notes personal
and I’ll share many of them here.
I only read half of the book
so I can put into practice what I learned.

After getting rid of a lot more stuff,
then I will be able to picture what I want every room to look like.

911 . Emergency

One area of our home
needs attention immediately.

We educate our children at home
and our learning area
has accumulated “stuff” over the summer.

I started by cleaning off our work table.
More before, during, and after pictures coming.

The Bible and clutter

I look around my home
and feel like the psalmist who said
“My confusion is continually before me,
and the shame of my face hath covered me,”
Psalm 44:15 (KJV)

Clutter has a stronghold on my house
and that clutter has created disorder.
Webster defines clutter as “to run in disorder”
in other words, “to operate in confusion”

And what does the Bible say about confusion
“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace”
First Corinthians 14:33 (KJV)
and Second Peter 2:19 (NLT) makes it clear
“For you are a slave to whatever controls you.”

Clutter is controlling every area of my life
Physical. Emotional. Mental. Spiritual.
It’s time to straighten up and live right.
“No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful!
But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living
for those who are trained in this way.”
Hebrews 12:11 (NLT)

Learning to keep our home clutter-free
will require discipline that will create space
in all areas of my life.

Simple and Honest

I am going to do my best to keep things simple here.

I have limited time to write stuff.
You have limited time to read stuff.

Pictures will help tell the story
and some will be embarrassing.
I’m ashamed of how much clutter
seems to have accumulated in our home.

Why?

I believe that everything I do has to have a why.

I'm starting this journal because . . .
I don't think I'm the only one in this place.
And, if sharing my journey will help someone else,
then that's one good reason why.

Simply stated, I've lost my joy.

My daily joy -
my reason for wanting to wake up in the morning
is gone.

And I know why.

I am overwhelmed
by the amount of stuff
in our home.

I believe
that if I could free myself f
rom the overwhelming amount of stuff in our home,
life would improve, greatly.

I have so much to be thankful for.
They are another reason why I need to do this.

And, the most important reason why,
God cares about me and believes in me
and wants me to have joy.

That's why.