I can't believe this will be my last Simplicity Project post. I have to admit, as much as I was committed to this idea, I don't feel like I accomplished much. I just took a look at my pantry, for instance, and I desperately need to give it another overhaul. It just goes to show you that simplicity is an ongoing process. I suppose I had hoped to feel simple at the end of 2009. Simple. . .is the last thing I feel right now. But alas, I will not give up.
The irony of the whole thing is in the project I am working on this month. If you remember, the very first simplicity post I did in 2009 unveiled my brand new, organized office space. Just about one year later, I have torn that room apart and converted it into a playroom for Hope. That is my project for the month. I do not have pictures to share since we're in progress and it might take some time to finish up the switcheroo. You'll just have to trust me that I am finishing the year well with a project that is transforming my living room back into a living room and providing Hope a great space to play with all those toys she got for Christmas. The office is currently in boxes in my bedroom sitting room, but I'm not going to think about that mess tonight.
Although I still feel like my home is full of clutter, I have learned a lot this year on this simplicity journey. Simplicity is somewhat in your mind. As completely blessed (or should I say, spoiled?) Americans, we will always have excess in our lives. The important thing is to do what you can to access your possessions on a regular basis. Do I really need this anymore? Would it bless someone else? Why am I holding onto this? Can I find a better place for this? It is an ongoing process. I am completely committed to it, but I will not let the delay in achieving "simplicity" create extra stress in my heart and mind. It would be easy to throw my hands up in surrender, admitting that I'll never get to the finish line. But I have to keep going. True, I will likely redo most of the simplicity projects I completed in 2009. But isn't that part of the great circle of living? To live is to create more clutter, more laundry, more reasons to clean the house. . .
As 2009 comes to a close, I encourage you all with this truth:
The laundry and that pile of papers that needs to be filed, don't know how long they've been sitting there. You'll get to them someday. . .and then the next day, they'll be right back there waiting for you again.
Happy New Year!
1 comment:
Yep, you are so right!
I'm so glad that you shared all your insight that you learned with these projects this year. It has definitely been inspiring to me. And as a mom with young kids, we do have to keep the right perspective about it. I know that for awhile there's never going to be that "ok, I'm done" feeling because it really is neverending but if you can allow yourself to enjoy the process and never give up, it makes it easier.
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