I would love energy to flow in every room without stuff in the way. Due to the pandemic, I’m in the house all the time facing the clutter as well as being surrounded by it, and it’s not leaving as quickly as I’d like it to.

I do love being at home but this morning I was in need of some inspiration. I needed some new ideas. I needed to have space around me.

I sat in the middle of the study with a headache and just couldn’t think straight. The room felt like a mini version of the garage except warmer.

Comparing it to a room with space

I’ve spent so much time and money on my daughter’s room and en-suite over the last month and it’s all looking beautiful. It’s a space she’s dreamed about for so long. It’s almost how she wants it to be. We have some painting left to do and we need to get some storage baskets for the new cupboard, but that’s about it.

I’ve heard lots of laughter coming from her room as she talks to her friends on Facetime. She’s got complete control over where the furniture goes in the room and she appears so much more free of stress.

With more space around her and more energy flowing, it’s made a difference to her mood. It’s lovely to see. I’m hoping that her design ideas will spill over to other rooms in the house.

Back to talking about the study

I sat in an overcrowded room surrounded by things that we haven’t been able to move to my daughter’s new room yet for one good reason or another. Then there are the things that used to be stored in the old study (now her new room).

I would typically feel quite energised when being faced with a mess to sort out. I’d usually just get on with it; however, today I had a headache and felt really fed up.

From experience I knew the feeling would pass if I just rested but today it was just getting to me. I’ve rested a lot over the last few days but my body was telling me it needed more and I was hesitant to listen to it.

I had got up late this morning and then needed to drive my youngest to the orthodontist because a hook fell of her braces. When I got home it was lunchtime. Half the day had gone.

As I faced the study, it was like I’d forgotten how to tidy up. I couldn’t even find a starting point. I didn’t feel like asking for help. I felt rooted to the spot… I felt stuck.

In the summer I used to get out in the garden and do some easy tidying up or weeding, or go for a walk. The sunshine somehow filled me with energy and happiness. As I wrote those words it gave me an idea.

The Walk

I stopped feeling sorry for myself, downloaded a new audio book (The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker) and went out for a walk which broke into a jog. It was like I was running away from something (or it might have been because it was really cold 😀).

On my return, I sorted out the recycling that had blown about in the garden and swept the patio outside. I somehow wasn’t fazed by the cold.

I walked into the house feeling more positive and my headache had miraculously disappeared.

The Chat

I rang my mum for a chat and talked through how I had been feeling. We had a laugh on the phone like we usually do.

She was doing her second walk of the day whilst talking to me, but instead of going outside, my dad and her were walking around indoors. It made me smile visualising them marching around the house keeping fit. She said it was getting dark and also too cold outside, and as they don’t like missing their exercise they were doing it indoors instead. They are such an inspiration to me.

I talked to my mum about what clutter I had around me and saying it out loud helped me work out what my next steps were.

My readers’ likes and comments

I write blog posts because I love writing. It helps me get things straight in my head and record what I’ve achieved. I also like to look back and see the progress. I never expect anyone to like my posts or comment on them, but today I just want to thank anyone who does (you know who you are). You all inspire me to continue with my challenge and to never give up.

So, that’s all I needed…. some fresh air, exercise, a new book, a chat and your support. Writing this all down helped get it out of my head too.

Finding a starting point in the study

I noticed that I’d piled lots of items in front of the wardrobe which had somehow created a barrier and I didn’t realise how much it was bothering me until I moved the stuff. I was then able to start putting things into the wardrobe that I want to keep (after moving some of my daughter’s clothes out).

Next, I cleared a bit of the desk and put the stuff in a box and took it into my daughter’s room which enabled me to move my printer onto the desk. This cleared room on the chest of drawer…. and so on.

I felt so much better just making a start.

Until tomorrow…

Sandra