A From the Heart Book Review
I once read something about how the universe always tries to reassert itself when something is changed. In other words, put things back the way they were.
This is never more true than when it comes to our efforts to organize and declutter our lives.
We've all read books on decluttering, organizing, etc. and even followed the suggestions in the current book on the subject, resulting in a satisfyingly organized life (for a while). Eventually, though, our normal inclinations and habits seem to reassert themselves and our old patterns return. Our once clean desktop is once again piled with papers, there are stacks of books on the floor and chairs, and our clothes seem to have multiplied overnight!
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
As I read this book, I found myself nodding and agreeing and planning to once again get organized without much assurance that I would actually follow through this time. Then I read a line that made more sense to me than any others I've read in similar books. Basically, the author writes, when you put your house in order, you put your affairs and your past in order. As a result, you can see quite clearly what you now need in life and what you don't.... and you are then surrounded only by the things you love.
Finding myself now well into my 'senior' years, I really would like to finally organize and downsize my household. This desire is not so much as having a tidy house and an organized life as it is to not leave my kids with having to decide what to do with my ‘stuff’.
Summary
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| Image Source: Pixabay |
Therefore, no matter what organizing book you use to get you motivated, or nothing but simply a plan listed on a piece of paper, realize that you are not just tidying up your house as much as you are in getting your affairs in order.
My final thoughts on the subject are that you may be years from needing to think about such things, but time doesn’t wait while you decide when and if you will get organized so others don’t have to do it for you.
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*Review written by Wednesday Elf
I am the world's worst at cleaning an area only to see it fill up again with stuff. My husband and I are both pack rats. We think everything will have a use someday. I recently cleaned out my craftroom closet. I ran out of room in that closet long ago,therefore new craft supplies were left sitting out and I wanted to put them away. Ha!!! I found so many cool treasures hidden in the depths of that closet that not only did I not get the new supplies put away, I ended up leaving additional stuff out of the closet so I would work on them. I obviously really need this book, but it will most likely get read and then end up on my books shelves which once looked very neat, but now have books stacked on the top of books. Surprisingly, I did give one book away years ago :)
ReplyDeleteCraft closets are crafter's worst bug-a-boo, for sure, Mouse. Hard to ever get rid of anything (just in case we might need it someday). LOL. But the 'discard' theme in this book really 'spoke' to me. Instead of tidying up to put away my 'stuff', I am (slowly) going through everything and DISCARDING what is not needed. I began with a plastic bin of clothes that has been in my storeroom for 2 years since I last moved. I discovered several items that really needed to be back in my dressor drawers and several things I knew I would never wear again. Thus I was able to empty that bin and put away what I needed and donate the rest (as they were still in very wearable shape). At least the book has gotten me started and in thinking in a different way.
DeleteThe author says it will take at least 6 months to go through everything and discard what is no longer needed/wanted, but at the end of that time, you should be left with only what you love and need. It will be an interesting project. :)
I always feel better when I declutter an area. This sounds like an interesting book. Thanks for the recommendation
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Mary Beth. I've started 'discarding' and have already discovered that I don't miss anything I've found new homes for. For that feeling alone, this book was well worth reading. :)
DeleteDoes this ever resonate with me. "Gettng your affairs in order" is more what it looks like when we're older, I have to solidly agree with that sentiment. It's not that we're planning to leave the earth anytime soon, for me it's more about facing facts that most is behind me time wise, than in front. Plus thinking about the kids and all that's involved for them. In regards to organizing, I completely relate to this type of person, lol - For my entire life I have thoroughly enjoyed reorganzing and cleaning - however I'm feeling a wee bit different at this stage (in my 60s) - it's not that I don't like to organize so much as I want to fit other things in as well as organize so organizing has been taking a second seat for me at the moment (although I always get to it). I do enjoy a refreshed approach to a space. I remember as mom was reaching the end of her life how she just wanted to get rid of everything; she was a bit obsessed with "I don't need that, get rid of it" - I understand why; she was preparing for her passing and didn't want to burden us with too much stuff to deal with - although she had a whole house, so no matter what she shed prior to her passing, there was still a lot to deal with in terms of "stuff" - I have quite a bit of her stuff here in my home now, and lately I've been thinking how in the world will we downsize with so much stuff!
ReplyDeleteAs a crafter and fine jewelry designer as well as the daughter of pack rats, my house is in a perpetual state of clutter. I have a hard time letting go of things or tidying them for more than a brief time. It’s a never-ending battle for me (6 months would barely make a dent, lol). It’s disheartening to feel like there’s no end in sight. I think I would need Marie Kondo to move in for a year or two, but I suspect we would constantly be in a pitched battle about what to, er, pitch. 😉
ReplyDeleteFrom the interesting comments received here, it looks like many of you agree with me in how we think about cleaning, organizing, decluttering, tidying. It's a necessary and needed thing, but not an all-encompassing thing as life should also be lived to the fullest. Working on or toward other interests may result in a messier house than one would desire, but whose to say what we are doing at any given moment isn't the most important thing? I would consider playing with the grandchildren a bit more important than a tidy house today. :)
ReplyDeleteAh yes, tidying up is definitely something worth doing, whatever the reason. I have been tidying up over the past year. Then we had a remodel done, and everything had to get moved out of the garage. Aaaah! I am looking so forward to more things going back to where they belong. The remodel job is almost done, so soon.
ReplyDeleteHard to keep things tidy when remodeling. I can image you can't wait until everything is back in its place. Thanks for visiting my review.
DeleteOh this is a book that I really need to read and then follow up with a plan to commit to tiding up. We seem to have a penchant for keeping papers that should go in the recycling bin right away. All of a sudden there seems to be paper everywhere and I drives me crazy. Getting your affairs in order is a great way to look at it! Thanks for this Pat!
ReplyDeletePapers have always been MY 'bugaboo', too, Olivia. I don't have problems putting everything else away, but papers tend to end up in piles that never seem to go away. :(
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