Clutter Free Forever!

Having purchased the ebook, lessons and forum use of the above name, I am going to use that program at this time. First I must answer a series of questions in my 'clutter journal' for which this blog will do nicely.

Goals and Objectives:

#1 - Clutter in my home makes me feel:

Lousy, incompetent, wasteful, drowning, choking, overwhelmed, hopeless, helpless, etc.

#2 - I can tell that my clutter is holding me back because:

I never finish a book.
Ken doesn't have time to work around the house because I don't see to the food supply adequately.
Because he doesn't have time the house looks like a half done construction zone.
Because it looks like that I can't have anyone over.
I can't get bills paid on time.
It is probably ruining my credit.
We keep fribbling away money.
I can't find anything when I need it, therefore wasting time.
I can't declutter because I need to sell things so that I can get some of the money we need back.
I'm not spending any time on friendships, either old ones or new ones.
I don't spend special time with my children or husband often enough.
The clutter is keeping my from having the time to deal with my clutter!

#3 - I want to gain control over my clutter so I can:

Lose weight.
Have more room to maneuver in the house.
Find things when I need them.
Focus and develop only a couple of skills.
Look nice in my clothing.
Have friends over regularly.
Cultivate friendships.
Help my children reach their full potential.
Save more money.
Pay off debt.
Get more time to pray and meditate.
Spend time with the people I love most.
Not spend precious time thinking about THINGS.

My favorite place:

#1 - My favorite part of my home is:

I still think it is Ken's dinner seat at the kitchen table.

#2 - I like this special spot because:

The spectacular view of the trees and the open stretch of table before me, ripe with possibilities to clutter it - notepaper for letters to friends, etc.

#3 - If my home were totally clutter-free, my favorite place would be:

Perhaps the family room.

#4 - Because:

I would be surrounded only by things I absolutely loved - books, foreign souvenirs, religious items, a cozy fireplace and blankets, a door to the wide open spaces or to a screened in porch, etc.

Experiencing your clutter:

#1 - How are you feeling: tired, depressed, stressed, anxious, annoyed, irresponsible, guilty, overwhelmed...What are your words to describe how you feel about what's around you?

I think I said all those things earlier. There is just not enough time left in my day, my week, my month, my year, my life, to deal with what has piled up around me. I remember reading about a couple that planned to go RV'ing full time. It took no less than 5 years to sell off, give away, store, etc. all the things that they had accumulated in their home. I'm suspecting that they were better than average. I tend to beat out the 'average person' in just about every area: number of hobbies, number of times I say, "We should someday....", number of things on my to do list, number of financial transactions each month on credit cards, number of Christmas cards I could send out if I took the time, number of friends I've lost due to my clutter, number of regrets, number of extra pounds I carry around on my person, etc. I would have to say that I feel all of the above.

#2 - How does this language reflect your feelings about life in general?

It reflects it pretty well. I just keep slogging around despite what holds me back but it hurts, every. The extra physical weight is a strain on my arthritic knees plus the extra things in the house are just more things to go around and over all the time. Clutter really slows me down, slows my life down. I need to slow down but clutter does it in a bad way.

#3 - Recognize that by dealing with your clutter, you can lighten up all aspects of your life. What excites you about that?

I expect to be able to move more freely in my home, be less self-centered, be able to enjoy and remember more of what is going on all the time, learn more and get closer to people that I enjoy being with including God.

What are you making room for?

#1 - By getting rid of my clutter, I hope to make room for the following things: (list 3 or more MATERIAL items you would like to receive, such as a sewing machine or entertainment center, a new couch, fine art, etc.)

additonal kitchen cabinets, exercise equipment in an exercise room, a table for games/puzzles

#2 - By getting rid of my clutter, I hope to FEEL more: (list at least 3 desired emotions, such as clarity, serenity, enthusiasm, etc.)

clarity, spontaneity, love and friendliness

#3 - By getting rid of my clutter, I hope to EXPERIENCE: (list 3 or more interpersonal improvements you would like to experience, such as a new love relationship, a better job, less tension in the family, etc.)

more harmony at home, financial security, a year-round vacation experience