The Power of 15!

Several years ago my sister and I discovered The FlyLady.  She has an extensive website with several effective strategies for decluttering your home and breaking up housekeeping into manageable tasks.  I won't go into all the details, but I would encourage you to check out her website if you are overwhelmed by the chaos of your home.  "Baby steps" she says and if you stick with her easy strategies I think you will be amazed at the difference it will make in your life.  

www.flylady.net 


Although it has been years since I really "worked her program", several of her strategies are still ingrained in my head.  One in particular is the principle that "anyone can do anything for 15 minutes." All you need is a basic kitchen timer.  Set it for 15 minutes and get started.  I am always amazed at how much I can get done when I know the time is limited - I get very focused and work much more quickly than normal.  

One look at my craft room tells me it is going to take a "few" 15 Minutes.   Let me share the results of the first two sessions.

First 15 Minute Session.  I am posting two views of the room with a before/after of each view.

Before - View 1

After - View 1

Before - View 2

After - View 2

Obviously there is much to do, but 15 minutes at a time is very manageable.  I am very encouraged to continue when I see how much I got done in a little amount of time.  Many times I get so engaged I can't stop at 15 minutes, but I know I am free to stop anytime after the timer goes off so I feel much more in control.  


This second 15 minute session reminded me how much neater a home would be if things were just put back in their proper place.  The cabinet in the craft room is a ginormous clutter catcher.  I am constantly dumping stuff there...as you can clearly see.  But a focused 15 minutes of putting stuff away made a huge difference (see above for before).   Judge for yourself.

So in just 30 minutes the room has gone from completely unusable to space where I can reward myself with doing something I love...did you notice I have a sewing table??!!   Baby blankets for my cousin's shower next week....

 Anna

  



                                                                          

Jumping In!

I have been debating this whole blogging idea for awhile, but the "what ifs" are a bit of a stumbling block for me.  The bottom line is "what if it is not good enough?"....good enough for what??   We have all seen the beautiful blogs showcasing amazing photography, fantastic writing and creations beyond our imaginations.  But I (and many people like me) am just an ordinary person who enjoys many of the the pursuits I admire on other blogs.   Is there a reason not to enjoy those pursuits and share the results with others?  I am answering "no"...so here goes....

The crisis of the "craft" room has brought me to this moment...my jump into the blogosphere.  Why now?  Motivation!  I am posting the before pictures because I know I simply can't leave "before" pictures out there in cyberspace without a happy ending.  My goal for this year is to rescue the craft room so that I can enjoy fun creative projects.  

So it begins with step one...share the ugly.... 

Yes, the room's bones are very good.  When I moved into this house this room was my computer room...I loved it, but now with a new husband and two computers the spare bedroom is the new computer room.  Full disclosure:  the spare bedroom previously was more of a "junk" room than a spare bedroom and most of the "junk" was sewing and crafting stuff which has now moved to the smaller room.  Now this 7 by 8 foot space is overrun by way too much stuff.  Over the years I have pursued various crafts and the remnants of those remain impeding my enjoyment of new pursuits. I am determined to let go of what gives me the space to love what I keep. 



Another issue I struggle with is finishing projects.  I have a picture in my head of creating something fabulous and if the project is not progressing as the "perfect" picture in my head I feel I've failed and don't finish.  Therefore, many projects are stashed in that room with the guilt of not having finished them.  Some will have to go and some will be finished.  


An example of not finishing something...my sister helped me hang these frames over two years ago.  I couldn't decide which pictures to put in them.  Meanwhile, complete strangers have been framed on my wall for over two years!

I have lots of ideas and I am inspired to create.  The problem is I start buying the supplies before I have a plan for the finished project.  For example, I cannot resist buying adorable flannel prints to make baby blankets - even when I don't know anyone who is pregnant.  But I do now, so one of the first projects I will be sharing in the coming weeks is baby blankets for my cousin...using fabric from this stash....

Now that I have exposed my before pictures now it is time to get busy.  


Anna