Wednesday, 26 May 2010
Watch less Television...
An excellent post in a blog which I read regularly, which I just had to share...
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Getting used to it...
You know what`s one of the worst thing about putting off unfinished jobs?
You`ll get used to it.
I have noticed this phaenomenon a few times.
When I moved in with my now-husband I took an instant dislike to the old-fashioned furniture (and several other things). I however felt that I could not immediately start criticising the home he was about to share with me and decided to accept its state for the time being. And very quickly, it stopped bothering me. This was it, and I truely accepted it. Only once in a wee while (usually when we were about to have visitors!) I was able to see our home, furniture etc with new eyes and noticed its flaws again. It took a long time to get round to fix some of them, and some are still not done. (I am living here for 9 years this summer.)
Another example: 2 years ago, the fence which separates our garden from our neighbours` got damaged in a storm. It fell towards his garden and hubby husband managed to temporarily fix the problem by attaching it to our cherry tree with a piece of string. After a few weeks I got exasperated and asked him to do the job properly, adding that he would be joking about this string if it was on the other side. He promised time and time again and never fixed it yet. He asked his friend to help who cancelled twice (for good reasons). The fence remains attached to the tree. It`s a horrible sight, but generally, I don`t notice it any more. I still have to dodge it every time I walk to our compost bin but still, I no longer see the string.
The longer you leave a job (whatever that is - clutter, stained carpets, stained wallpaper, fixing something broken, cleaning your windows or car) the more likely you are to continue to put it off. If you fix it as soon as it happens (but certainly while it is still annoying you), you get the job out of the road and avoid this trap.
Now, take a pen and paper and note down what has been annoying you, for whatever long a time, room by room. Add to it as you see things. Walk around your home and try to see it as if you have never been here before. And then start to get things done! There are small things which can be done immediately (such as fixing or throwing out something broken) and there are some things which require more planning and time, like redecorating and anything else which involved parting with money. But try to get things done as of now! The job won`t go away!
You`ll get used to it.
I have noticed this phaenomenon a few times.
When I moved in with my now-husband I took an instant dislike to the old-fashioned furniture (and several other things). I however felt that I could not immediately start criticising the home he was about to share with me and decided to accept its state for the time being. And very quickly, it stopped bothering me. This was it, and I truely accepted it. Only once in a wee while (usually when we were about to have visitors!) I was able to see our home, furniture etc with new eyes and noticed its flaws again. It took a long time to get round to fix some of them, and some are still not done. (I am living here for 9 years this summer.)
Another example: 2 years ago, the fence which separates our garden from our neighbours` got damaged in a storm. It fell towards his garden and hubby husband managed to temporarily fix the problem by attaching it to our cherry tree with a piece of string. After a few weeks I got exasperated and asked him to do the job properly, adding that he would be joking about this string if it was on the other side. He promised time and time again and never fixed it yet. He asked his friend to help who cancelled twice (for good reasons). The fence remains attached to the tree. It`s a horrible sight, but generally, I don`t notice it any more. I still have to dodge it every time I walk to our compost bin but still, I no longer see the string.
The longer you leave a job (whatever that is - clutter, stained carpets, stained wallpaper, fixing something broken, cleaning your windows or car) the more likely you are to continue to put it off. If you fix it as soon as it happens (but certainly while it is still annoying you), you get the job out of the road and avoid this trap.
Now, take a pen and paper and note down what has been annoying you, for whatever long a time, room by room. Add to it as you see things. Walk around your home and try to see it as if you have never been here before. And then start to get things done! There are small things which can be done immediately (such as fixing or throwing out something broken) and there are some things which require more planning and time, like redecorating and anything else which involved parting with money. But try to get things done as of now! The job won`t go away!
Monday, 17 May 2010
productive weekend
For my own records:
Bedroom: cleaned all surfaces and floor, removed everything which does not belong there, changed bed. Discussed with hubby removal of some items (incl furniture) and requirement of replacements for carpet and furniture. Chose furniture from Ikea and made plans to have the whole room done in July.
Bathroom: cleaned all surfaces and floor, replaced clock and carpet, cleared shelf (for removal, as rusty) and cleared a whole lot of things (first aid things, make up) which are expired or otherwise will never be needed again. Discussed with hubby removal of shelf and requirement for replacement of bath tub guard and wall paper. He was amenable to that, too. Even quicker job than bedroom.
Guest room: tidied one drawer, dealt with ironing, tidied books away.
Clothes: sorted out hubby`s shirts which are too big, took the long sleaved ones (5 in number) away, along side 2 old pullovers of mine. Ordered 5 new shirts for hubby (but some more will have to go).
Kitchen: tided and cleaned three drawers, many small junk things went. Binned most of the old papers bags we are keeping for bin bags - would do us for a year... Tidy corner with pots and equipment.
To be done in 4 weeks:
Bedroom: clean all surfaces and floor, remov everything which does not belong there, chang bed.
Bathroom: clean all surfaces and floor, wash carpet, make sure shelf removed. Start making enquiries re bath tub guard and wallpaper.
Guest room: tidy one drawer, deal with ironing, tidy books away. Clear surface of couch.
Clothes: ensure that all shirts which are too big for hubby have gone.
Kitchen: tidy and clean remaining drawer. Ensure that we don`t have too many paper bags. Tidy corner with equipment and pots. Tidy two kitchen trolleys and one shelf.
Bedroom: cleaned all surfaces and floor, removed everything which does not belong there, changed bed. Discussed with hubby removal of some items (incl furniture) and requirement of replacements for carpet and furniture. Chose furniture from Ikea and made plans to have the whole room done in July.
Bathroom: cleaned all surfaces and floor, replaced clock and carpet, cleared shelf (for removal, as rusty) and cleared a whole lot of things (first aid things, make up) which are expired or otherwise will never be needed again. Discussed with hubby removal of shelf and requirement for replacement of bath tub guard and wall paper. He was amenable to that, too. Even quicker job than bedroom.
Guest room: tidied one drawer, dealt with ironing, tidied books away.
Clothes: sorted out hubby`s shirts which are too big, took the long sleaved ones (5 in number) away, along side 2 old pullovers of mine. Ordered 5 new shirts for hubby (but some more will have to go).
Kitchen: tided and cleaned three drawers, many small junk things went. Binned most of the old papers bags we are keeping for bin bags - would do us for a year... Tidy corner with pots and equipment.
To be done in 4 weeks:
Bedroom: clean all surfaces and floor, remov everything which does not belong there, chang bed.
Bathroom: clean all surfaces and floor, wash carpet, make sure shelf removed. Start making enquiries re bath tub guard and wallpaper.
Guest room: tidy one drawer, deal with ironing, tidy books away. Clear surface of couch.
Clothes: ensure that all shirts which are too big for hubby have gone.
Kitchen: tidy and clean remaining drawer. Ensure that we don`t have too many paper bags. Tidy corner with equipment and pots. Tidy two kitchen trolleys and one shelf.
Sunday, 16 May 2010
Big jobs, small jobs
I know what all this is about, I know exactly.
Last year, I have weight, which was very much needed. And the big jobs usually de-prioritise the small ones. Like. "I know this needs done, but I need to concentrate on the big one first!" My "big one" has always been my body, and now that this is sorted I can turn to the next biggest one which is our home.
The same is however true with the cleaning itself. As you do the obvious things (de-cluttering) you discover more.
Yesterday, I cleaned the bedroom top to bottom, and once again, I noticed the stained carpet and the old, unmodern furniture, which I was aware of but never really bothered about much as the attention was usually on the clutter. Once you deal with that however, you uncover the hidden truths underneath.
Today, I did the bathroom. I replaced the carpet (pink for cream), clock on the wall (white for merchandise) and also discarded the cheap plastic accessories which I once thought funky. The shelf also needs taken down as it is rusty. I now note that the wallpaper, ceiling and guard for the bath tub are all stained. They have to be replaced, too.
Sad is, as you do the things which are for free (tidying up and cleaning) you uncover jobs which require parting with money...
Last year, I have weight, which was very much needed. And the big jobs usually de-prioritise the small ones. Like. "I know this needs done, but I need to concentrate on the big one first!" My "big one" has always been my body, and now that this is sorted I can turn to the next biggest one which is our home.
The same is however true with the cleaning itself. As you do the obvious things (de-cluttering) you discover more.
Yesterday, I cleaned the bedroom top to bottom, and once again, I noticed the stained carpet and the old, unmodern furniture, which I was aware of but never really bothered about much as the attention was usually on the clutter. Once you deal with that however, you uncover the hidden truths underneath.
Today, I did the bathroom. I replaced the carpet (pink for cream), clock on the wall (white for merchandise) and also discarded the cheap plastic accessories which I once thought funky. The shelf also needs taken down as it is rusty. I now note that the wallpaper, ceiling and guard for the bath tub are all stained. They have to be replaced, too.
Sad is, as you do the things which are for free (tidying up and cleaning) you uncover jobs which require parting with money...
Monday, 3 May 2010
Friday, 23 April 2010
De-Clutter your Wardrobe
I don`t know about you, but I have made numerous attempts to de-clutter my wardrobe. I`ve taken every single piece out and had a long look at each garment - before putting it back in. Little or nothing was ever taken out, including things which I hardly wore, e.g. because they no longer fit, need mended or because I simply didn`t like them any more.
Most women wear "20% of their wardrobe 80% of the time", and some people recommend ditching everything which has not been worn for a year. I would not be this ruthless. I`ve developed my own method which I feel works, is fun and not at all time consuming:
Most women wear "20% of their wardrobe 80% of the time", and some people recommend ditching everything which has not been worn for a year. I would not be this ruthless. I`ve developed my own method which I feel works, is fun and not at all time consuming:
- First of all, you need a lot of clear space. Hanging space, shelving space, shoe space.
- After you have cleared space you need to do absolutely nothing! :-)
- The next morning, chose any outfit you want to wear. Over the day, be very aware how you feel wearing this outfit. Does it make you feel good? Does it make you feel the opposite, maybe because it does not really fit or you simply don`t like it any more?
- If you liked wearing the garment, put it into the empty space. Anything that goes there is for keeps! :-)
- If you did not like wearing the garment, determine why you don`t. If it needs mended and you feel you would want to wear it again, bring it to a tailor. If it does not fit or if you dislike it, get rid of it: either put it on ebay or to a charity shop *right now*. Don`t put it in a corner to deal with "later". If you are anything like me, these things will sneak back into your wardrobe.
- Do not immediately replace the things you have just given away. I am often tempted to do this, but over the next few weeks, you may notice that you still have plenty and maybe really don`t need three pairs of black trousers after all. You can replace the items later, but before buying any new clothes, I`d recommend assessing what you have alrady got if you are serious about de-cluttering. The goal is to have a wardrobe which only contains things you really like and wear, and therfore, it is crucial to finish the de-cluttering job first. Depending on the current size of your wardrobe,this excercise may take you a while.
- The next morning, chose another outfit from your wardrobe. Things you have already put away for keeps cannot be selected again. The goal is to, over the next few weeks, try absolutely everything in your wardrobe and assess whether you still like it. You can take a garment out of your wardrobe and have a long hard look at it, but this will not show you how it feels, whether it still fits, etc.
- Common sense, of course, must prevail. Going out clothes are not needed as much, and you may be used to wearing the same three jeans all the time. Do however try to wear everything you`ve got over the next few weeks, as far as your lifestyle allows.
Saturday, 17 April 2010
fantastic old fashioned kitchen gadget
There was ony very little I was given when I moved into my own flat, but there is only one which I still use today:
"It`s an old thing," said my granny. "It won`t last you long..."
"It`s an old thing," said my granny. "It won`t last you long..."
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