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Post by fragileindustries on Jul 12, 2009 16:55:06 GMT -5
Wow, this is a wonderful idea. I realize that today, as I've taken 3 tiny baby steps of 10 minutes each, that with another 10 minutes in that area I have a "special spot"! (about 2 feet square in the corner of my bedroom.) That will give me incentive to do that last 10 minutes today and not put it off.
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Post by yearning4order on Jul 12, 2009 20:40:35 GMT -5
Wow, I'm so glad this was bumped!!!!!
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Post by yearning4order on Jul 13, 2009 10:13:52 GMT -5
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Post by CourageouslyLion SeeksSerenity on Jul 13, 2009 17:18:12 GMT -5
Hello, and thank you! I have no idea what my fingers were typing when I posted the wrong link. Thanks for catching it and giving the right link. I've corrected my link now. Thank you! -
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Post by mellowyellow on Jul 13, 2009 19:24:23 GMT -5
Special Spot can help those we love... (slightly long... sorry)
Like me, my mum hoards and collects things. Unlike me, she has not yet gone on the path to declutter or purge herself of her material items. It is very difficult for my dad who is very neat and methodical, and who doesn't own more than he needs in life.
This is what used to happen: Whenever my parents would go on vacation and I would help to take care of the house, I would do some radical organizing... the kitchen... the bathrooms... the family room... etc.. There was never any serious garbage... Just disorganized stuff and piles of things that needed arranging. I wouldn't throw anything out, since it was not junk. But I would organize it more practically, neatly, beautifully.
I know that my dad loved it, and secretly, my mum felt relieved to have a clean, organized and attractive space. However, within days, I would notice that the bits of clutter had accumulated again, and I would be discouraged. The last few times, I vowed I would not touch anything in the house.
A few months ago, I decided to just focus on one tiny little table in the basement hallway. It is located beside the bathroom that my dad prefers to use, and beside his clothes closet (their bedroom closet is stuffed with my mum's clothes!!). I put all the items that needed to go away in their proper spots. I removed items that were recyclable. I went to my mum's basement cabinet, and found one beautiful vase, a small sculpture from our native country, and a small piece of handmade lace. I arranged everything and dusted everything. I knew that my dad would be the one to look at it on a daily basis. Everytime he would go to use the computer, or go to get clothes, or use the bathroom... he would see this tiny table of serenity.
A few times, I have visited and noticed one or two items placed on the table. I haven't commented.. just removed the items and put them where they belong. And noticeably, the space has stayed clean.
It is my tiny way to help my dad find a little oasis.
P.S. I told what I had done to my sister, who lives out of town and visits every few months. She said, "You know... that's so weird... I NOTICED that table... I thought it was amazing that it had stayed neat over the months. I wondered why? It seemed so strange that in the middle of all the clutter, there was this one clean area. It definitely caught my eye!"
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Post by success19 on Sept 1, 2009 23:54:51 GMT -5
You know when I look at photos like of Christmas and birthday - what I see is the clutter in the background - otherwise I kind of don't see it. Strange HuH?
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Post by Serendipity on Sept 11, 2009 1:46:17 GMT -5
I am using the paper towel roll to see small areas to clean, little areas that just sit because they aren't very big. using my camera i see larger areas of floor space covered, really just spread out because i am lost without my closet in my other place. I am looking forward to posting before, after, and during,cleaning of the view from my stairwell but this will be awhile! Mellowyellow, I love your story of the table, very symbolic! Maybe more little oases will pop up! it was good of you to gently remove the things that didn't belong. I should do this with my small low bookshelf. and of course my kitchen table but it seems insurmountable. I am goign to look for small doable flat surfaces with the roll!
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fatiha
New Member
Joined: December 2009
Posts: 26
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Post by fatiha on Dec 30, 2009 23:14:15 GMT -5
This is great! I'm going to plan a spot tonight. Thank you! Fatiha
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Post by catcat on Dec 31, 2009 0:53:12 GMT -5
Lioness, you write so well; you have a real gift for explaining things down to the last detail. I wonder if you realize how helpful you are.?. Anyway, it sounds like we appreciate it & like to read your kind & informative posts.---Love, catcat
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inchbyinch
New Member
Joined: January 2011
Posts: 37
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Post by inchbyinch on Jan 19, 2011 1:44:30 GMT -5
Thankyou CourageouslyLion_SeeksSerenity
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Post by def6 on Jan 20, 2011 21:28:07 GMT -5
Hey Lion, Thanks for inspiring me!!
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Post by fluffernut - now Jannie on Dec 6, 2011 14:01:14 GMT -5
A professional,organizer taught me some tips. One of them was, if you have to do a big project, do it one square foot at a time. That's how I : 1. washed my incredibly grubby basement floor and 2. am in the midst of cleaning out a big long storage closet. One foot at a time.
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Post by CourageouslyLion SeeksSerenity on Nov 5, 2012 9:27:32 GMT -5
bumping forward for anyone who may be interested
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Post by bobolink on Nov 5, 2012 10:18:48 GMT -5
Thanks for bumping this - it is a genius post!
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Post by dayeanu on Nov 5, 2012 10:25:08 GMT -5
I just came here to bump it!
This was such a powerful thing for me.
I would encourage anyone who feels frazzled to consider doing this. It was a wonderful refuge to me, and it has now given me a renewed vision for my home.
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