Oh, my dear friends, I am so happy to finally be sitting at home, with a cup of coffee next to the computer, and not seeing any trips on my calendar in the coming two months. I need a little down time! We all know December tends to get a bit wild, but then it didn’t slow down for us until this past Sunday. We had an absolutely lovely trip to Florida over the new year, and last week we were in Indiana for our first training session as we prepare for Kenya. At last, I can slow down and let it all soak in. Taking the time to just think on busyness after it passes is one of my favorite things. It helps me appreciate all that has happened while also appreciating the quiet. So now we enter the quiet.
Two and a half weeks into our six months of simplifying and things are going very well. I continue to feel freedom in this time. Instead of thoughts of ‘buying another something for the mantel would look so nice’ or ‘I should find a few new shirts for the kids’ that so often bog me down, I’m feeling the opening of time. Time to hang pictures that have been waiting in the corner of my bedroom or to finally find a real home for the stack of books and papers on the end of the dining room table. I am clearing things away and truly enjoying the spaces of our home.
// tune my heart print found here //
Now that we’re home, I am continuing the process of simplifying. Yesterday I went through the kids’ clothes, pulling out outfits that are too small, and finding a place for them in the donation bin. Today I spread out all of their toys and separated those that are currently being loved on from those that haven’t been touched in a few months. Tomorrow I plan to finish their room altogether. I’ve had many questions about the process of going through toys and clothes, a pretty challenging thing when kids are involved. I’m putting together a list that might be helpful for some of you and will be happy to share that very soon. This has been quite a learning process through the last year, and I certainly don’t want to keep everything I’ve learned to myself.
So here’s a question: If you could go through and completely organize one area of your home, what would it be? I’d love to hear your thoughts! My answer will be in the comment section.
If I could completely organize one area of my home, it’d be my bedroom. I seem to get things looking nice and then it’s all over the place two days later. I really want a clean, cozy bedroom!
I don’t have kiddos, but my clothes situation is out of control. I’m 26 and still have clothes from college and high school. Some I still wear, others I don’t want to get rid of because I wear them occasionally/sentimental reasons. I’m hoping to pile things in “winter” “spring” “summer” “fall” “workout” “all” and by doing that I’ll see what I have too much of. I already am donating a bag or two of clothes every couple months, but can’t seem to do the major overhaul that’s needed.
It’s so hard to get rid of clothes, especially when you think you might wear them again!
My garage!!! We just moved in August and now have a three car garage that we can’t park in because it’s full of stuff that needs to be gone through and a huge donation pile that needs to get hauled out. Yikes!
Moving can be the worst for getting organized!! I would imagine it’s especially tough with the busyness of the kids. Good luck! 🙂
I could really use a weekend to go through EVERYTHING. After we moved, it was a matter of getting things out of plain sight instead of looking at boxes everywhere. Right now, I really need to organize our pantry space, and take the time to simplify our office room down!
It’s definitely the hardest after a move! I’m always amazed how little time it takes to go through things, but actually taking that time can be tough. Good luck!
I 100% agree Angela! It would be our bedroom! Which has turned into the dropping spot for things that don’t have a home, otherwise known as the Storage Unit! lol! I spend a whole day organizing and cleaning it up only to find by the next day a pile has made its way on my dresser, or suddenly there is a stack of books that were just read during rest time, and pajamas laying in the corner, the sheets thrown to the top of the bed quickly as I scatter over to the kids room to get them ready for the day. I envision a cozy, welcoming place to snuggle up with a warm cup of tea and a good book after the kids are in bed. Instead, I walk in and move one pile to the floor so I can crawn into bed. Not very relaxing! Sounds like I need to do some simplifying in my life!
I understand! It feels like our bedroom is the place where visitors won’t look, so I just plop stuff wherever. It has such potential to be cozy! Maybe this can be the week for both of us?? I really want to get it cleaned up!