(The book i'm referring too. "The life-changing magic of tidying up" By: Marie Kondo)
Wow!
I've been thinking of reorganizing and decluttering for quite awhile. Each month my desire to do so got stronger. Could some of it be nesting, probably but I did feel this way before I was pregnant.
I came across this book one day and I knew this was a different perspective that I wanted to try.
We can organize and declutter but unless we truly declutter we are going to always have to redo everything.
My huge desire was I was tired of always having spots or things to pick up. As the kids get older they are slowly helping with their own items to put away but something needed to change.
I'm not much of a hoarder and neither is Spencer but this book made me realize how much you hold on to when it's not needed. I've gotten rid of maybe 15 bags worth of things.
Now I don't agree 100% with all she says but it did make me see things a different way. The more things we do have the easier a home is to reclutter all over again. And finding more shelves to make things more organized doesn't solve the issue.
She talks a lot of physically touching everything and by that knowing what to keep based on if that item Sparks joy. I only did this to a point because though I believe items have a bit of energy I don't think they are overly speaking to you or upset if we fold them a certain way. to each their own though.
I do believe that every item has their purpose and that after it's fulfilled that purpose in making you happy it's time to donate or throw away. For example cards I don't hold on to tons but realized I could let go of quite a few. They fulfilled their purpose by me receiving them and feeling joy or loved from that person. But holding on to them isn't important especially if we rarely go back and read it. Now there are exceptions like love letters from your spouse.
Another point was not holding on to past things from an ex or ex friend because if you go through it ever it brings you back in the past but it's time to live in the now! I held on to a few items but not much but their all in a box at my parents so those will be tossed next time I see that box.
Another huge thing was everything has its place! So a huge thing in general that will help me is once I use something to put it back where it goes as soon as possible! The things won't easily reclutter on a countertop or table etc.
I feel our home is so much more open and inviting already! And we dont even have as much stuff as most people do.
I will say one hard part is if you have a spouse or children etc that you share a home with doesn't mean your all going to be 100% into the process of truly decluttering which has been a bit hard for me to see and be understanding.
Because what's important to someone else doesn't mean it's important to us so you have to compromise or just let things go.
Another hard part is I'm afraid I may slip back into hold habits of oh we need this when we truly don't need to add more back into our home.
Right now I'm actually doing pretty well, I'm a gift giver and love receiving gifts but as of lately I care very little to receive gifts and my gift giving has changed to smaller simpler things.
Which was one problem she said is that people just let things sit because someone gave it to them and you feel bad throwing it away or giving it away but leaving the item sit there makes more harm then good.
I'm almost all done, the process is supposed to take longer but I have limited time and patience. Lol
I'm down to mostly finding the right place for things and keeping all items that are similar together. So all cords in one spot, all crayons, all shoes etc.
Somedays I've pushed myself a bit more then I should lol but it's felt very rewarding just wish I had done this when I was physically better able to do it all.
In the long wrong I hope it helps me do normal cleaning easier because I'm not constantly clearing clutter spots.
Did maybe getting pregnant make my brain finally snap and say it's time to change the way your live? Maybe. I've noticed a lot lately that for me there came a time where things just snapped for me and I was ready to truly start working out or to truly focus on my scripture reading or whatever it may be. And each moment I did amazing did some of these things get throw off yes....But each time I've learned something new and different to fix or change in my life and I'm really grateful for that. In this case I feel a bit more free and lighter in my home. It should make life easier for me especially when baby 3 comes along.
Which the closer I get to due date the more I have to take things 1 day at a time. I'm quite emotional with this one especially towards the end I've noticed. And I physically always have some sort of pain every so often each day. Sitting one way used to help but no so much anymore so I get emotional since I don't feel 100% but I always feel a lot better then I did the first like 7 months! I do feel I have a fair amount of energy and I think that's partly from decluttering because doing it was bringing me joy that I hadn't been feeling.
My goal is to finish up as much as I can before baby gets here so that things don't slip backwards.
It's an amazing book though but do believe you have to truly be ready to do it and then do it and don't stop half way through! I should of taken before and after pictures, I'm truly upset I didn't. But maybe will take a few after pictures when I'm done with everything because you will see how open the place looks. =]
Side note we are doing fairly well here, very thankfully warmer weather is stopping by on and off. We've got about 50 days left until due date and we are fairly prepare minus a few things which I will wait to see if I get at baby shower, if I don't then will purchase and start packing hospital bag. I'm still very over and done with this pregnancy, it's truly been a hardship I never realized I would struggle with. But we have survived this long, just barely, and are slowly getting excited for the changes that will come with having a 3rd kid lol
