A helpful tip for any home care journey is to 'carry a clipboard' and tour your space regularly!
Clipboard & note pad
In 'One Thing At a Time,' Cindy Glovinsky writes, 'face your possessions with a clipboard in your hands, and there's no way they're going to run over you. A clipboard puts you squarely in charge of the Things in your life.' (P 15)
Cindy suggests using a legal pad - but I have a sweet vintage half-size board, that my mom made many notes on (often on pads she made her self from 'scratch paper,' stapled together!) It's perfect for the 4x6" sticky note pads which were in my Christmas stocking!
Our family loves this size note pad - and i love the practice of checking off what's done! You can also use digital systems - and remember to check them periodically!
From the bookshelf
In 'Finding Yourself at Home,' Emily also suggests using a clipboard or notebook, as you tour your home with fresh eyes!
Choose a time your energy is high, and begin outside, taking in the essence of your home - jotting down big picture feelings.
As you enter, announce yourself and express gratuitude to your home for welcoming you and providing shelter.
You can tour the whole house, or one room (this is great to combine with the feeling map process). Move clockwise, and note areas you wish to linger, areas that feel particularly alive, places you feel stressed, any physical hazards or concerns.
Use your notepad to list any major projects - Things that need tending, repaired, cleaned - as well as areas to declutter and organize.
Emily reminds us not to judge ourselves or the space - to interact with our spaces with curiosity and observation. And thank your home for what its shared when you finish.
One thing at a time - so simple and so important. i have come to realize that multitasking does not really happen, so i am learning to do one thing at a time.. harder when there are so many items on the to-do list and the deadline looms over us..
ReplyDeleteSo true!! I tend to get scattered when I attempt too many tasks - and often do it anyway!! I remember sharing tips from this book with an artist friend in her 80s, and that she also found them helpful.
DeleteI agree with Lady in Read. One thing at a time works well. For me, the problem is maintaining my attention span. As soon as I see one task needing to be done, I see another and another and... it goes on and on and on... (this is alice from the Ultimate Blogging Challenge)
ReplyDeleteYes, Alice - I so do that as well!! I try to stay in task - with Bastos results!
DeleteIn one of my painting classes, one student asked me to give her one instruction at a time, as she realized she has trouble processing several steps - of course I did! It was great feedback, and I realized others might find that helpful as well!