It has been over two and a half months since I started this quest toward better organization.
I am on my second trip to the library for books on organization to get inspiration and help on this quest
Each and every book states the same thing. Declutter, Declutter, Declutter. But it is very important to declutter carefully. One is not to just get rid of things but to evaluate each item and assign an importance to that item.
After deciding where each item fits into your values and life, you can then decide how to store or use or get rid of that item.
It was on one of my declutter binges that I came across a present I had given to my husband eight or nine years ago (at least what was left of the present).
To surprise him for Christmas I had secretly crocheted him an afghan. I would wake up early, sneak time during the day, and spend every spare moment I could working on it. I used my filing cabinet to hid all evidence of my work. Even our children were able to keep a secret that year.
On Christmas morning I proudly gave my gift. I was so pleased with the way the afghan had turned out I took it to our family party later in the day to show everyone my handy work.
So you can imagine my dismay when after not too much time the afghan began to unravel.
I made the afghan using this tool
I am on my second trip to the library for books on organization to get inspiration and help on this quest
Each and every book states the same thing. Declutter, Declutter, Declutter. But it is very important to declutter carefully. One is not to just get rid of things but to evaluate each item and assign an importance to that item.
- Is the item important to you?
- Does it hold sentimental value?
- Will you ever use it again?
- Is it easily replaced?
- Will it still help you be who you want to be in the future even though it may have served you well in the past?
After deciding where each item fits into your values and life, you can then decide how to store or use or get rid of that item.
It was on one of my declutter binges that I came across a present I had given to my husband eight or nine years ago (at least what was left of the present).
To surprise him for Christmas I had secretly crocheted him an afghan. I would wake up early, sneak time during the day, and spend every spare moment I could working on it. I used my filing cabinet to hid all evidence of my work. Even our children were able to keep a secret that year.
On Christmas morning I proudly gave my gift. I was so pleased with the way the afghan had turned out I took it to our family party later in the day to show everyone my handy work.
So you can imagine my dismay when after not too much time the afghan began to unravel.
I made the afghan using this tool
Crocheting around the two needles you create strips such as these.
Then you attach the strips together to make the afghan. I had learned how to make the strips from my neighbors mother but I had neglected to ask how to attach them to each other. I decided to crochet them together. The afghan looked beautiful, for a time, but my hesitation to ask how to attach the strips of yarn properly ended in a disastrous results.
I assured my husband that I would repair the afghan and return it to him.
In the mean time we moved and the pieces of what once was the afghan got stored away.
So here we are, decluttering away, and the afghan pieces appear. Now is the moment of truth. Will I finally find out how to attach the strips of crocheted yarn together? Will I get rid of the yarn strips? Or, will I find a way to store them indefinitely?
The last option really isn't an option. It goes against every word of advice by all the organizational experts. Keeping them as they were would be allowing a burden to remain hanging over my head. One of the main reasons to declutter is to free up not only space but also mental and emotional confusion.
There is no way I was going to get rid of the strips that I had worked so hard on and been so proud of. I also couldn't go back on my word to my husband that I would fix the afghan. So I was left with finding out how to attach the strips together the right way.
It is embarrassing to say how easy it was to find the answer to this problem that had been hanging over my head for so many years. I contacted my old neighbor and simply asked her how to bind the strips together and in 2 mins. she had explained the proper technique (she had to explain it twice so I could really get it).
I went home and got right to work (well at least I got right to work after I went on a little vacation to Lake Powell, some things do take precedence). It did take some time to accomplish the task of repairing the afghan but what a joy it is to be free of that obligation and to no longer have to store it and feel guilty. (quilt is so anti productive)
I assured my husband that I would repair the afghan and return it to him.
In the mean time we moved and the pieces of what once was the afghan got stored away.
So here we are, decluttering away, and the afghan pieces appear. Now is the moment of truth. Will I finally find out how to attach the strips of crocheted yarn together? Will I get rid of the yarn strips? Or, will I find a way to store them indefinitely?
The last option really isn't an option. It goes against every word of advice by all the organizational experts. Keeping them as they were would be allowing a burden to remain hanging over my head. One of the main reasons to declutter is to free up not only space but also mental and emotional confusion.
There is no way I was going to get rid of the strips that I had worked so hard on and been so proud of. I also couldn't go back on my word to my husband that I would fix the afghan. So I was left with finding out how to attach the strips together the right way.
It is embarrassing to say how easy it was to find the answer to this problem that had been hanging over my head for so many years. I contacted my old neighbor and simply asked her how to bind the strips together and in 2 mins. she had explained the proper technique (she had to explain it twice so I could really get it).
I went home and got right to work (well at least I got right to work after I went on a little vacation to Lake Powell, some things do take precedence). It did take some time to accomplish the task of repairing the afghan but what a joy it is to be free of that obligation and to no longer have to store it and feel guilty. (quilt is so anti productive)
I have now returned the afghan to my husband to use as he will.
A promise fulfilled.
A burden lifted
Organizing my home has given me another gift.
A burden lifted
Organizing my home has given me another gift.