“Progress is one of the most motivating feelings for the human mind. You need to have some way to visualise that; some way to see that you’re progressing.”

James Clear, on Dr Chatterjee’s Feel Better Live More podcast #145

Just wanted to jump on here and update you on my current home projects for this year which are going really well and making me feel quite calm and organised. In the past, I’m not sure if I would have used both of these words in the same sentence, but that just goes to show how I’m feeling right now.

By writing down in words the progress I have made to date it’s definitely going to help me to feel more motivated.

Project 1: Cleaning

I have been using The Organised Mum Method (TOMM or #teamtomm) for cleaning since Monday 4 January (I can hear a cheer from Vikki Thompson – selfcare365 😀 as I know she’s been using the same method but has been doing it for a lot longer than me).

Cleaning is something we all need to do whether we like it or not, but in the past I’ve focused on the tidying up and decluttering rather than the cleaning. I never really had a routine; I’ve tried but always given up with it. For this reason, I decided to start an already established routine and TOMM is working for me.

I will be treating cleaning as a project for a couple of months and then once embedded it will become a way of life. Certain areas haven’t had my attention for a while and I need to get them under control. Every day has daily tasks that need to be done as well as certain rooms getting done on certain days. All rooms including the outdoor areas are also on an eight week rotation.

Being only on day 13 at the moment, with more focused cleaning on Fridays, it’s only the lounge and the kitchen that have had the most attention so far (although I have used her Bootcamp section of the app to do additional cleaning in other rooms). This should mean that after a couple of months I will be able to relax a bit more… I hope.

The TOMM app costs £4.99 but it was well worth it just to see the smiley face telling me that I’ve done my cleaning for the day. The weekends are also pretty free because you only have to do the 15 minute light clean each day. This keeps the weekends free for my other projects, and to rest.

As at yesterday I am on a 12 day streak (yeah!)…

… and apart from the hard work of cleaning the kitchen kickboards last night so that I could tick it off the app, it’s not been too bad. I had to get on my hands and knees and scrub and it certainly was a workout in itself!

How can I see that I’m progressing? I’m able to track my progress on the app. The highlight for me so far is that everyone in the house has noticed how clean the main areas are looking and I am so up to date with the washing (and this includes towels and sheets). There have been days where I have actually had to go looking for some washing (e.g. bathroom mats) in order to tick the task off the app. I really don’t think that will be necessary going forward as I may just give myself a day off washing once a week or use that time to do come decluttering of clothes. Now, that’s an idea!

Project 2: A Year to Clear

I mentioned Stephanie Bennett Vogt’s book Your Spacious Self quite a few times during my decluttering blogs last year (click here to see the post that sums up my 2020 decluttering challenge). When I discovered that she had two other books I researched which one I should read next and ordered a copy of A Year to Clear. I made a start on this at the beginning of the month and it has been a life changer so far. It’s also achievable to read and absorb the day’s contents as it’s only a half to one page each day. Sometimes I want to read more, but instead I spend that time making notes and draw my interpretation of the day’s message – example below from day 2.

My post a couple of days ago There is no Clearing Without Self-Care confirmed that my readers feel the same about self-care and it’s certainly been comforting to realise that I’m actually allowed to have as much self-care as I like without feeling guilty 😊.

I’m currently on Day 16 In The Zone and I’m looking forward to reading that and making notes in my journal later on. I’m finding that the best time for me to read the relevant day’s entry is in the evening just before a relaxing bath as that allows me thinking time while I’m having a soak.

How can I see that I’m progressing? By how I feel, by looking back at my notes in my journal, and by my answers to the ‘explore’ questions every day.

Project 3: Decluttering Paperwork

I signed up to a course via a Facebook group called The Paperless Workshop with Simplify Days and have been watching the videos etc. for just over a week now. It finishes on Sunday with a live webinar.

It was difficult to keep up with the videos at first because work has been hectic this week but I’ve just about caught up. I’ve been busy selecting my digital tools (some of which I already had on my phone but just wasn’t using effectively). I’ve also positioned my physical inbox in a different place that will work better for me.

I tried to get organised with paperwork last year but knew that it was too much to handle with the decluttering I was doing so I only got as far as boxing it all up. At least I know where the backlog is and how much I have to go through. I also have a filing cabinet full of even older paperwork.

The good thing about this course is that once you have watched the videos and downloaded the pdf documents you can go at your own pace. There’s no rush to attack the backlog. It’s great to attend the additional live sessions as you can see the comments on how other people are doing and get even more tips and hints.

My only action for this weekend is to start using the digital tools for current things coming into my life and attend the webinar on Sunday.

How can I see that I’m progressing? Bit early to say at the moment; however, when something comes into my inbox, through the door or information just comes at me, I now know which digital tool to put it into or whether or not to put it in at all. I won’t give all the ideas away just in case you decide to do the course yourself.

So, that’s my progress. There was another project that I was working on but I’ve had to drop that for now. Maybe I’ll pick that one up again once I’m more on top of the cleaning and paperwork.

How are you doing with your 2021 projects and what helps to keep you motivated?

Until next time…

Sandra