One of my goals for this year was to deep clean and organize every room in my house. I’m not sure I’m going to finish the whole house this year, but as I’ve purged and cleaned, painted and organized, donated and sold, I’ve made visible progress through my home. I’m doing this not just because I want my home to be in order, but also because I’m ready to live in a simpler, less cluttered and fussy way. And after nearly 18 years in this house, it’s time for some updating.
Even though in general I love my life and its routines, I feel ready for some freshening up. In a couple of weeks I will have been writing this blog for five years. In that time, I’ve seen my freelance work slow to a trickle, then dry up completely. I’ve battled writer’s block and depression, experimented with writing and submitting essays, applied for a job at the library as well as numerous writing jobs. I’ve come up with several ideas for writing and editing businesses, but I haven’t found anything that sticks yet.
Perhaps I’m getting ahead of myself. Perhaps I need to have less
before I can have more. I’d like to think all this decluttering serves a purpose
larger than just having my home look neater. I choose to think that getting rid
of what no longer serves me makes room for the new. And I’m not talking
about new things. Perhaps, less burdened by too much and too many
(things and thoughts), the inside of my head will be a bit neater as well. For
now, I’m focused on getting rid of.
I’m not sure what that something new I’m making room for
looks like. I have to have faith that if I do make room, if I do simplify and
purge and organize, then I’ll be ready when my opportunities come, when
everyday adventure knocks on my door.
