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Post by 1rarebeautifuldove on Nov 4, 2019 15:31:26 GMT -5
Welcome to the Backwards List Challenge.
If you are like me and the things on the list keep getting moved, and moved forward, and move forward, and every time that happens they say ugly things like "I didn't get done today. Again you didn't do this. You did not get anything done." (Big lie there because I did lots of things, just not what was on the list), Or, even thinking of what to do next is a challenge because everything is in disarray, and even if I picked something, chances are I would notice something else and do that instead, still not doing what was on the list. You will like this.
The other day when I was in chat, I felt I should keep a running list of things I did so I wouldn't forget what I did. So, I kept the reply tab open (which happens a lot, since I usually write a lot in my blog and think of something and go do it then come back to the computer) and just quickly typed what I did, then would go do something else, and write that down. Then after about an hour or two, I would post the list, and then click edit, and keep going. I was absolutely amazed how much I did get done. Because after several hours, I realized I was getting tired and looked at the amount of things I did and thought "No wonder, I did a lot." It was a wonderful self-confidence booster. Plus I realized that I had found a way to reward myself for tasks other than finding an item to toss.
If you don't know me, or know that I declutter this way, I follow the Butterfly or Hummingbird or Bumblebee Method of Decluttering. What that means is I go all over the house and find an item here, a couple items there, and deal with them. I have things set up so I can easily put something into the Donation Station (a pile that lives near the front door) I start a bag and then start filling it up, item by item. I have the shredder set up so I can shred a paper when I find it, and not have to do a stack of them. I have a paper bag for papers to be recycled. I have grocery store bags strategically located so that if I find trash, it can easily go in one. For me, every item counts, be it a scrap of paper on the floor, a pineneedle, a pencil which rolled off the table.
I have successfully gone from goat trails to where I am now, which is that there is floor space, a few surfaces are clear of things, I have space in my closet, under some furniture is now free of clutter. There is dust and stuff under the furniture, which does need to be cleaned. Which is what I am hoping that doing the backwards list will help me to not keep putting off doing for something "more rewarding" to me (I receive a sticker) like releasing something.
I have learned to look for things to declutter, item by item. Every time I go in a room for anything, I look over what I can see there and see if I can release anything from there in one way or another. Lately, I have been asking myself, "Is there anything here I can free myself of or that I can put away?" If I think of something, I will go to where it is and deal with it right then. Basically, I walk all over the house. I don't have the focus that some people do that allows them to focus on one area at a time. I find it challenging most of the time to focus on one item, unless I am referring to the items in a certain area. Like the books on the floor under the piano bench or the 3 books on the short wall. I will see the other books, but not do anything with them. Even if I open a box and look inside it, very rarely can I do the entire box in the first pass. Usually it is a couple items at a time. Once in a while, and it is rare do I open a box and can release or free myself of the entire contents. (I have recently started thinking of letting things go as freeing myself of them, as I am also wanting to free myself of a couple not-good-for-me habits. I like thinking of being free rather than as changing or getting rid of a bad habit). (Sometimes the words we use, how we phrase something to ourselves makes all the difference).
I learned early on that I need rewards, to see progress somehow, because even now that I am closer than I have ever been to having the house company ready, I cannot see the progress because there are still piles on the floor, still things on chairs, still things on most, but not all surfaces. And just about everything needs to be cleaned. I had figured out how to reward myself for items. I do that with stickers and calendars, it is enough a reward for me that I can actually do it all day. Almost like I am playing a video game. Almost. Except the real rewards will be real, not virtual. But, I had no way to reward myself or even motivate myself to actually clean, or do more than a tiny bit at a time. I would declutter and then maybe around 4 finally get to where I actually dusted a bookshelf and its books, but wouldn't want to do the next one, even though it didn't take me "that long" to do it. Then I would go back to decluttering, where the rewards are. (I got stickers for the decluttered things, but not the task) And a sticker did not seem equal to the effort for me of doing the dusting. Reward needed to match.
What I found was that by writing down whatever task it was, and I break it down into tiny caterpillar steps, like dusted shelf over desk, dusted items from shelf, dusted desk, dusted floor and legs of desk, dusted baseboards, dusted pencil sharpener and returned it to desk, returned clean items to desk. Cleaning is my weakest area so the more rewards I can give myself the better. I was able to do the whole desk corner in this way. I have decluttered the music shelves but it has not been dusted yet and reorganized.
So, if this sounds appealing, join me in this. Please know also, that I am working on my house with almost all of my time and it takes me all day to do this many things. I am pretty much at home during the day. Which is the best time for me to do this.
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Post by 1rarebeautifuldove on Nov 4, 2019 17:06:40 GMT -5
Monday, November 4, 2019 Starting at about 4:00 pm
white chair from back porch taken to side of the road
green table moved out to the porch
white table rolled to the side of the road (hoping those 2 things will be found as something someone "must have" and that they disappear like other things that I have put out there have, like the little plastic shelves on wheels did)
dusted the pink angled laptop holder
added it to the donates
moved the music books off the top of bookcase by piano
dusted the top including metronome and lamp
moved the music books off the next shelf and dusted it, it may need restoring oil on it.
dusted underneath the bookcase also
folded and put the clothes away that were hanging on the treadmill to finish drying
pulled a bag and box from under the piano to see what was inside of them
put half of the bag's contents in the trash
the other half is newspaper - so that part went out to the front garden area, to be a weed barrier
pulled a few weeds while I was there
I took a handful of paper 4 more times out and spread it out in the garden area -- now all but a little bit has been taken out --- the newspaper under the table, in the laundry room, in the basket by the piano, and by the horse yay!
I weeded a little bit each time too!
emptied the yellow box from under the piano:
the 2018 financial paper box went into the craft room on a shelf with the other years
the stack of scrap paper went into the paper bag to be recycled
the box of colored pencils went onto the table
when I took the financial papers into the craft room, I grabbed 2 lengths of lace off the floor and added them to donates
the measuring spoon went into the donates
grabbed a couple things off the floor of the craft room and put them in a box so I didn't step on them
took the yellow cardboard box to the front porch so it can be broken down out there - it has dirt and stuff in the bottom of it - didn't want that on the floor
grabbed 3 cardboard boxes waiting to go outside around the plants from the bench by the front door, put them around the plants
grabbed the 3 books from the bench and put them on a shelf in family room
added a couple things to the trash
rinsed the bottles from the counter
added them to the ones to go out front
put the empty water jug with the others
put a full water jug on the counter
took 3 trips of jugs to the car to get them refilled (there are a few more yet) (the doves are coming to eat their dinner, so I won't disturb them now)
put a handful of cardboard boxes down for weed barrier
had a small snack
put a filled grocery bag of trash in one of the big black bags
put a few things in the sink to be washed
Ended about 5:05 pm
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Post by def6 on Nov 4, 2019 21:41:48 GMT -5
I will be joining you Rare and Beautiful and I love being able have an open list to add to.  |
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Post by 1rarebeautifuldove on Nov 5, 2019 11:41:13 GMT -5
Tuesday November 5th, 2019
Morning List
got rest of water jugs in car to be refilled
grabbed the crate from under the grand piano - now all that is left there is dust
actually emptied it by putting the car cleaners somewhere else so they are all together
moving the kitchen things out of the crate
tossed a couple things
found a couple small microfiber clothes (very small, but I will use them)
opened a drawer and found a few things to donate
went through 2 photo albums which were sitting by a bookshelf
removed and tossed quite a few pictures of times, chapters of my life that I would prefer to forget, and don't want to talk about -- not who I am today -- I am releasing as much of my past as I can, at least the parts I don't want to remember
AFTERNOON:
got the water jugs filled about 22 of them 3 weeks of water
weeded a few minutes
got my clothes changed -- so I get sun as I bring the water jugs in
saw that someone took the white table, yay!
brought the 22 gallon jugs in from the truck
tossed a bit of trash from the truck
I did put a little tree air freshener in there "new car scent" last week and it makes the truck much nicer (no smoky scent now)
checked a flashlight to see if it works
opened it to see what batteries it takes
took the 3 AAA batteries out
found knitting markers - in a package
put them into a little bin
tossed the packaging
put three pens/pencils from craft room table into jar on desk (with a lid)
picked a few things up off the floor
put a candle in my room
sorted through a lid which was holding a bunch of paper clips
put most of them into a small baggie to be donated
put the few knitting markers in there in the small bin
left the pretty ones in there, in case mom wants to use them (mom won't walk to the desk and open the jar where the pretty ones are) (OK, then these ones can stay)
put the yarn needles that I had been putting in a small container into the little containers they come in, separating out the bent ones into their own container. (bent ones are better for stuffed animals)
put a 70s-80s music station on in the family room, so I can go back in time
got a number of things off the top of the hardware cabinet
hearing that made me want to be in there to listen and dance while I sorted, so I brought a calendar and stickers out there
put more things away -- from bedroom to bathroom, bathroom to bedroom
got more things off the top of that cabinet
added more to donates
added more to trash -- making trash bags happy -- they like being filled
walked down to see about roses, if any are ready, got one to take tonight
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Post by larataylor on Nov 5, 2019 17:26:20 GMT -5
1rarebeautifuldove - I love the backwards list! When I get going, I have trouble remembering all the things I've done, but I usually come here and write down as much as I can remember. Especially when you do things in the Butterfly way that you describe, it can be hard to remember what you did, and how much! I tend to work that way myself. I remind myself that there is a finite number of things, and it will all add up!
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Post by 1rarebeautifuldove on Nov 5, 2019 21:43:52 GMT -5
It does add up, larataylor If you keep going, and keep making space to put things, once things have designated homes, then tidying becomes easier. Or if you know that you don't want the plain silver paper clips, because you like pretty ones, then all the ones that are silver can just go into a small bag to be donated, or simply tossed.
Yes! There are a finite # of things.
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Post by seahorse on Nov 5, 2019 22:25:38 GMT -5
wow 1rarebeautifuldove , the backwards list is a great idea for how you work and you are getting so much done!  I can relate to not be able to work on one area at a time - I need to flutter and float around, too, doing what grabs my attention. I love how every tiny movement counts - as it should! Thanks for sharing.  |
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Post by 1rarebeautifuldove on Nov 9, 2019 22:46:55 GMT -5
Evening, November 9, 2019
broke down a box, put it by door to go outside
transferred half of the clothes pins in basket to a nicer basket, put the other half in a gallon baggie
put old basket in big black trash bag
put others in a box for donates
added some yarn to donates
added a set of markers to donates
put a roll of masking tape in donates
put 2 speakers in donates (I had bought them and they were just sitting collecting dust in their sealed bag, so off they go)
(so tired of looking at things)
added yarn to donates out of relationship corner
put some into a box for the craft room (for now)
got yarn from under the bed into the drawer in family room
got a good bit more yarn into donates
I am getting to where i just want this stuff gone
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Post by TwinkleToes on Nov 10, 2019 13:23:10 GMT -5
I love this idea, and I will definitely join you. I am a long lister, myself, as it motivates me to try to make my long list.
DONE 11.10.2019 (Sunday)
Called my mom
Ate healthy lunch
Called MIL and wished her a happy birthday
laundry load 1 in washer
PUPA Master Bathroom
PUPA half bath
put away the dishes that were drying in the drainer
put away all of the clothing that was hanging up to drive
dealt with ten items on the master closet floor
dealt with two days worth of mail
laundry load 1 in dryer - hung up delicates
laundry load 2 in washer
unloaded dishwasher
reloaded dishwasher
made pitcher of tea
folded twenty pieces of laundry that were laying on bedroom floor
cleaned InstaPot and put it away
gathered dirty dishes from bedroom
laundry load 2 in dryer
made bed
Sorted through a pile of mail
cleared my living room table
put away a ton of jewelry
folded another twenty pieces of laundry
put away the laundry I folded thus far today
dealt with another ten items from master bedroom closet floor
hung new decoration on front door
put away five items from sitting room (sitting room is in crisis mode right now)
cleared kitchen table (this was a lot!)
cleared one half of dining room table (still need to clear other half!)
threw away or put in recycling many items including three cardboard boxes, several magazines, junk mail, receipts, etc.
took medicine
finished folding all the laundry and put it away! Wooooo hoooo
made dinner
took trash out of kitchen and replaced liner
Called MIL and wished her a happy birthday
ate dinner
texted sister
texted brother
sent message to friend with dementia
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Post by TwinkleToes on Nov 11, 2019 9:41:06 GMT -5
Monday, November 11, 2019
DONE
Made bed
Took medicine
Took trash out of half bath and replaced liner
Dusted master bedroom (hadn’t done that in months)
Wrote out sympathy card to Aunt Robin and prepared for mailing
Cleaned master bath mirror (it is shining!)
Wrote out thinking of you card to friend Janet
Cleaned master bath double vanity
Wrote out congratulations/ thank card to friend Bethany
Cleaned master bath toilet
Wrote out baby card to cousin Ashley
Took trash out of master bath and replaced liner
Wrote out get well soon card to friend Harriet
Put master bath rugs in washing machine
Wrote get well soon card to friend cindy
Put dinner dishes from last night into dishwasher
Texted friend with dementia
wrote our thinking of you card to rachel
paid hospital bill - it is PAID OFF - wooo hoooooooo!!😁😁😁😁😁😁
laundry load 1 in wash
PUPA guest bathroom
cleaned mirror in half bath
cleaned vanity in half bath
dusted half bath
cleaned toilet in half bath
ate healthy lunch
wrote out congrats card to friend Linda
wrote out congrats card to friend Mary Beth
put away a whole bag of stuff from sitting room (this was probably 40 or so items! A big deal!)
cleaned guest bath toilet
cleaned guest bath mirror
cleaned guest bath vanity
dusted guest bath (all three bathrooms are finished! Yayyyy!
vacuumed master bath
vacuumed bedroom
rugs in dryer
put lunch dishes in dishwasher
vacuumed half bath
vacummed laundry room
vacuumed kitchen
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Post by TwinkleToes on Nov 11, 2019 14:43:31 GMT -5
Updated list
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Post by 1rarebeautifuldove on Nov 11, 2019 16:30:21 GMT -5
Great job TwinkleToes and   on the paid off hospital bill. That must feel awesome!!! It is always amazing to me how much I really get done, and texts and emails take time to do. That is a wonderful list of accomplishments!!!!
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Post by puppybox on Nov 16, 2019 8:59:20 GMT -5
everything your're saying sounds like a description of ADD and how to cope. have you ever investigated this? i find reading about it helps, to an extent.
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Post by TwinkleToes on Nov 17, 2019 8:50:07 GMT -5
Sunday, November 17th, 2019
Weighed in - down 55 pounds!
took meds
started dishwasher
took shower and shaved legs
toenails
moisturizer
hair
got dressed for church
did makeup
went to church
went to craft fair with mother in law and friend - got some Christmas shopping accomplished
went to visit great niece
Put together gift basket for a friend
ate something
sat with friend going through chemo
picked up dinner
ate dinner
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Post by TwinkleToes on Nov 22, 2019 19:59:47 GMT -5
Done
Hair
Teeth
Face
Dressed
Breakfast
Work all morning
Ate lunch
Work all afternoon
Deleted a crap ton of emails
Ate dinner
Laundry load 1 in washer
Laundry load 1 in dryer
Load 2 in washer
load 2 in dryer
took trash out of master bath and replaced liner
took trash out of half bath and replaced liner.
took trash out of laundry room
made bed
put away jewelry
cleaned off table in living room
cleaned off one counter in kitchen
made two pitchers of tea
worked on missions projects for 30 minutes
PUPA half bathroom
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