"With our pitchers, we attempt sometimes to water a field, not a garden."
-Anne Morrow Lindbergh
I've been trying to simplify my life lately. It seems to always come after Christmas when every nook and cranny is full of something related to the Christmas season. The candlestick holders are adorned with red ribbon. The already full book shelves have holiday figurines keeping them company. House plants find a new home while the nativity is set out for a temporary showing. Then it is time to take every thing down.
Sometimes a bare wall is soothing to the already troubled and cluttered world. The nook and crannies not only become deprived of their holiday visitors, but seem to lose some of their regular occupants as well. It's a time to go through the sometimes massive amounts of stuff and re-think their value. Some items simply get boxed up for awhile until I miss their company in which they will make a reappearance at a later date. Other, less sentimental? get boxed up and shipped off to the second hand store where I'm positive someone will find them, take them home and love them as I once did. Either way, I find it easier to breathe.
I've been reading "Gift From the Sea" by Anne Marrow Lindbergh. It's a very thought provoking book, small but significant. One that even though you could read it in a day you would be cheating yourself in doing it. I confess it did spark this post, but not the need to de-clutter. I go through that every January. The tree goes out and the room opens up and airs itself out. I sit in my living room and find that my mind is less strangled. The openness of the room gives my sense of self permission to do it's own airing out. Take stock of what's been cluttering up my mind and decide if it has use or enough sentimental value to take up the space. In the limited amount of energy that I have through out the day is this worth dwelling on?
If only it were as simple as clearing off a shelf.
How do you clear your head and take stock of your life?
It's been awhile since I've read that. Maybe it's time to revisit it...
ReplyDeleteBubble baths and candles. And chocolate. That usually helps me relax enough to deal with all the junk in my head. But I must say that I can completely relate. We've been doing minor decluttering also but I can't bear to get rid of it just yet (the inner pack-rat wins sometimes) so it's going in the basement to be put up for sale at a yard sale someday when it gets above freezing. AKA deal with it later. But that's just me :)
ReplyDeleteword verification in case you're wondering: "arksi"
Maggie, I love the ideas! especially the bubble baths. I used to take those back in the good old days when I had time. and thanks for putting the word verification... sometimes they are just worth sharing. c-ya tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI know how cluttered my mind can get when my home is cluttered - I relate to the de-cluttering of space without and within - become more feng shui, or so I like to think. I find it incredibly helpful to find a recorded breathing/relaxation monologue, close my eyes and just listen as it guides me toward relaxation; after which I can more clearly decide what stays, what goes to storage, or what just goes away.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the thoughts - always so insightful.
My word is fraryme - is that a request from someone wanting to be carried over the Puget Sound?
Interesting idea about the monologue. I can't say that I have ever run across that. I'll have to give it a shot. Sounds like something I could use at work! Plug in the headphones and relax my way to productivity. Hmm. Thanks!
ReplyDelete