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Simply..nine minutes....

9/1/2018

10 Comments

 

Nine minutes is all it took to put the Christmas decorations back in the awkward cupboard under the eaves  (see here).

In my mind it was a big task which was going to take at least half an hour  - first I have to fold back the rug and pull out a box of paintings, then I have to move three very large and rather heavy ones to access the small door to this storage space.

Just out of interest I set the timer. I was absolutely amazed that it took only nine minutes and realised that in my mind it was a big task because I was thinking of all the other boxes in that cupboard which need sorting through. By not focussing simply on the task at hand I was making a simple job into an overwhelming one. I hadn't realise that this is something I do!

In fact there isn't as much in there as I thought, and I know exactly what is in two of the boxes. What I'm not sure about is are there more boxes behind the ones I can see from the door?

The attic is almost empty (five chairs which I plan to sell) and I intend that it will stay that way. The basement is almost empty (some rolls of insulation and a few bits of wood which I will give away). If this cupboard held nothing other than rarely used large suitcases and the Christmas boxes - with nothing impeding access to them (which means some decisions about the paintings) - I'd be very happy.

Today has been a good reminder of how far I have come in my clearing and declutteriing journey to a simpler life.

Getting rid of stuff is very freeing - and a timer is a great little tool!


Picture
The dark recesses..

How is your journey going?
10 Comments
Susan
9/1/2018 11:59:51 pm

Happy New Year, Freda.
Your writings are sustaining me during these dark damp January days.
Just a thought: in my work, I write down my start and finish time of each work session, to charge my clients by the hour. Recently, I have an unappealing or daunting personal task to do, I've started doing the same. I've noticed that I regard the task as work, apply myself with more focus, and relax more in the tea breaks.
Love, Susan

Reply
Freda
10/1/2018 01:09:50 pm

Good thinking Susan and thank you for commenting, I took your advice today and it works for me too! Happy New Year,

Reply
Grace
10/1/2018 10:52:09 am

I often put off doing things because I think they are too big for me to handle ...

Reply
Freda
10/1/2018 01:10:59 pm

Timing them has given me a few surprises - all good. Love my timer.

Reply
cathy
10/1/2018 11:34:28 am

that's happened to me, too...I put something off because I think it will just take too long. when I bite the bullet & start to tackle it, I'm done in no time. then I get angry with myself for procrastinating. so, in 2018, I'm taking freda's phrase for me, just 'do it' to heart. at least I am in January...no guarantees for the rest of the year. lol!

Reply
Freda
10/1/2018 01:14:09 pm

Don't be angry Cathy - be pleased with yourself, and you will enjoy the feeling so much you will 'just do it' more often - that's my hope for your 2018.

Reply
Cristiana
10/1/2018 01:12:40 pm

Happy new year Freda! I do the same exaggeration upon tasks I dislike, often to find they wherent so bad or long after all. And somehow, it always surprises me when it happens again!

Reply
Freda
10/1/2018 01:18:00 pm

A Happy New Year Cristiana. It is so easy to get into bad thinking habits. Timing simple things has been a revelation - the bathroom floor takes 3 minutes to wipe clean! Now that I know that I don't put it off...

Reply
Viv link
10/1/2018 04:06:36 pm

My journey is going slowly! I need to speed up a bit as sometimes I feel I am going in reverse.
Wow your roof trusses and rafters are so sturdy it makes ours look like matchsticks - I always worry in a storm that our roof might take off - the downside of modern houses!

Reply
Julia
11/1/2018 11:05:58 am

I used to dread paying the monthly bills. It was not because we were short..but just that i had decided i hated the task..and i procrastinated..and whinged and complained! Finally i read an article about instead being grateful that there was enough money in the account to actually pay off all the bills. So sort of the same thing, freda...i had a shift of attitude and suddenly, it was no problem...sit. Smile, and say to myself: this is wonderful! I have all the money i need to pay all these bills this month. The same liberating feeling that you must have had! We sure can get hijacked by our thoughts, can’t we?

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    Simple
    Simply Beautiful
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    Simply Chill
    Simply Christmas
    Simply Christmas
    Simply Do A Good Deed
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    An artist seeking a simpler life - (but not too simple!)

    All words and images copyright Freda Waldapfel 2010 - 2020

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