My house needs to go on a diet
It's the New Year. Time for my annual re-dedication to healthy eating and more exercise. This year, however, I'm surprised at where I need to redouble my efforts. Even as I moan and weep over the size of my hips, I'm horrified by the excess weight in another area: my house.
My house is fat.
The realization first dawned on me about a month ago. I finally cleared away time and energy to get out my Christmas decorations. And I barely had room to properly display all of my favorite bits and baubles. Two nativity scenes didn't make the cut - there simply was no place to put them. I have an entire box of decorations that went back on the shelf in the garage untouched. No room FOR the inn, let alone the holy family in the stable next door. It was a sad day.
My next clue came when I began preparing my guest room for family to arrive. At my house, the guest room is on the first floor, just off of our sun room/office with easy access from the kitchen and main living areas of the house. Which means that when I'm straightening up the main areas, I will often grab things, chuck them onto the guest room bed, and shut the door. Think of it as Spanx for the downstairs. Over time, the stacks of boxes, bags, odds and ends had piled up in every corner. Add to that the clutter from a kid's project or two and you can imagine the mess. But the disarray wasn't the problem. It was the five large trash bags of junk that I pulled out that alarmed me. FIVE??? What was I doing keeping all of that stuff in my house?
Now that family has come and gone, I've had a few days to assess my home's curves and bumps. We have plenty of space. And we also have crammed into that space way more than we need. Isn't that the definition of being fat? Taking in more than we use? Hauling around more weight than we should?
I suppose it's time to put my home on a diet. Time to carefully consider what comes in the door to stay. Time to exercise off some of the excess that I've collected over the years. Just like getting my body in shape, it will take time, persistence, self-control, and dedication. With a little bit of work each day, I believe I can make a change for the better health of my home. I'm at least willing to try.
So in 2012, my annual re-dedication to healthy living will include my living areas as well as my body. I want to limit my intake of sugar AND shopping. I want to move my muscles AND move some stuff to the curb. I'd like to look better physically AND have my house less cluttered, too.
What about you? Does your home need to go on a diet?
My house is fat.
The realization first dawned on me about a month ago. I finally cleared away time and energy to get out my Christmas decorations. And I barely had room to properly display all of my favorite bits and baubles. Two nativity scenes didn't make the cut - there simply was no place to put them. I have an entire box of decorations that went back on the shelf in the garage untouched. No room FOR the inn, let alone the holy family in the stable next door. It was a sad day.
My next clue came when I began preparing my guest room for family to arrive. At my house, the guest room is on the first floor, just off of our sun room/office with easy access from the kitchen and main living areas of the house. Which means that when I'm straightening up the main areas, I will often grab things, chuck them onto the guest room bed, and shut the door. Think of it as Spanx for the downstairs. Over time, the stacks of boxes, bags, odds and ends had piled up in every corner. Add to that the clutter from a kid's project or two and you can imagine the mess. But the disarray wasn't the problem. It was the five large trash bags of junk that I pulled out that alarmed me. FIVE??? What was I doing keeping all of that stuff in my house?
Now that family has come and gone, I've had a few days to assess my home's curves and bumps. We have plenty of space. And we also have crammed into that space way more than we need. Isn't that the definition of being fat? Taking in more than we use? Hauling around more weight than we should?
I suppose it's time to put my home on a diet. Time to carefully consider what comes in the door to stay. Time to exercise off some of the excess that I've collected over the years. Just like getting my body in shape, it will take time, persistence, self-control, and dedication. With a little bit of work each day, I believe I can make a change for the better health of my home. I'm at least willing to try.
So in 2012, my annual re-dedication to healthy living will include my living areas as well as my body. I want to limit my intake of sugar AND shopping. I want to move my muscles AND move some stuff to the curb. I'd like to look better physically AND have my house less cluttered, too.
What about you? Does your home need to go on a diet?
Great thoughts, Kat. Moving definitely helped us sort through our stuff, but I'm seeing now how much more we can do without. With most of our stuff in storage, I'm recognizing all the "stuff" I haven't needed or missed in the last 5 months. Can't wait to pre-sort and purge before we move again at some point (hopefully soon). I love Tsh Oxenreider's book and e-book. They have been helpful in this area to think about keeping only the stuff I really love and stuff that match or enhance our family's purpose statement. I'm starting her 52 Bites e-book this week.
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