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I think most authors go through periods of time, due to approaching deadlines, when many things in their lives get ignored. I am guilty of that. To the max. Confession: I can let some things go without attention for years. There always seems to be something else more important to do with my time, including naps.
My office and my walk-in clothes closet are two things I have needed to purge and organize for years.
When I moved into our home, I was downsizing from two rooms used for my office to one room. Let’s just say a lot of things got tossed pellmell into that smaller closet, and I just limped by with things as they were.
To add to the chaos, in the past couple of years I began my new hobbies of Bible art journaling and decorative planning, which meant tons (a slight exaggeration) of paper craft items and paint, etc., needed to find space in that same room and closet.
After Poppet died, with my heart aching and my book turned in to my editor, I tackled my office, including that infamous closet. It took days to toss out and reorganize, including moving my computer and desk to new locations, but the end result was an office that looks tidy (most of the time) and where I can find what I want when I need it. Very satisfying.
It has taken longer to motivate myself to get to my clothes closet. I have described it for ages as being the equivalent of a “junk drawer.” But last week, I finally kicked myself into gear. I’m still at it and have a long way to go before I’ll be done. Why is it taking so long? Because I am trying on just about everything before I can know if I want to keep it or not.
There are many items in my closet that I haven’t worn in I don’t know how long. Some of those are because of change of sizes (I’m happy to report that many items are just too big for me). Some are because of changes in my lifestyle (i.e. I rarely speak at conferences where I need to wear pantsuits). Some are because I bought something and then it turned out I didn’t care for it as much as I thought I would (wrong color choice, etc.). And some items were favorites in the past but are so out of current style that I would never wear them even if I kept them.
As I write this blog post, I am about two-thirds of the way through the items that are on hangers. After that, I’ll tackle the folded items on the shelves, followed by shoes and purses. A great deal of purging still to be done. So far I have filled three garbage bags with items that are going to the Idaho Youth Ranch (along with two boxes of reference/research books that were already waiting that same trip). I anticipate that many more bags will be joining them.
And, as I already did in my office, the purging will be followed by reorganization. It will be easier to find the clothes I want to wear, plus there will be room for new items when the time comes.
There is something quite satisfying about purging belongings from our lives that we no longer need or want and making way for the new. And it got me to thinking about those things I may need to purge from my emotional and/or mental and/or spiritual life so that I can make room for what I do want in those realms.
How about you? Is some purging and organizing in your future?
~robin
PS Lest you think that Boo is not still consuming my life, here is a short video I put together of her at play. Bet it makes you smile.
Robin Lee Hatcher
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WOW! Wishing I had Boo’s energy. haha! What a cute dog! Yes, purging and organizing are in my future, as we are planning a move from Virginia to South Carolina. We want to be near first grand baby due in August. A boy!
I would be rich if I could bottle and sell Boo’s energy. Huh. And nothing like a move to purge things we hang onto.
We purged when we moved about two years ago. I do it every year before our Church garage sale. Unfortunately MY sizes have gone up! Boo is so cute! Thanks for the post.
I’m hoping I can make this a habit without having to move.
Boo is too adorable.
Wow good for you for finally getting the purging done.
My husband and I have lost a lot of weight so we need to purge our clothes.
Right now I am laid up so it will have to wait. Maybe by then, there will be more clothes to go through.
Have a fantastic summer
Sorry you are laid up, Lori. Hope you are back on your feet soon.
Loved seeing Boo in action. Thanks!
Isn’t she a hoot? Pinky doesn’t quite approve of her yet, but they are getting along now.
I try to go through my clothes,shoes and purses once every year it not only frees up closet and drawer space but I also have more hangers again.I loved your video on Boo she is adorable.
I keep meaning to instigate the practice of taking one item out when a new item comes in. Maybe this time.