Today I’m participating in the Ultimate Blog Swap. You’ll find me posting about Lavender Essential Oil {with a Giveaway} at Coping With Frugality, and I’m excited to welcome Lisa from Warrior Mama to The Encouraging Home.
Organization is my passion!
In times of stress and doubt, I love to throw myself in to a HUGE chaotic space and create order, systems and clarity.
For example…
We had barely walked in the door from visiting my father when he was ill. Suitcases were still packed, there wasn’t a piece of edible food to be had, so I…
Ripped apart the pantry – shelves and all and “redesigned it”.
Want another one?…
I remember another time hubby was getting ready to watch a ball game and I decided that immediately, our kitchen window needed a 4 inch shelf as a ledge to hold a Yankee candle.
Two trips to the hardware store and 6 hours later – It did.
There is something gratifying in conquering space.
Our two children have various diagnosis involving multiple doctors, special schools, special diets and lots of extra care.
The mental, physical and emotional stress of being the best mom I can be for them is crippling. So I did what I always do and started the biggest organizational job of my life.
The clutter in my home reflected the chaotic mess my life had become. I was chasing the wind, Running to catch my breath and walking in circles.
Everywhere I turned there was “stuff”.
It was to the point where I would open a cabinet to put something away, but couldn’t because the cabinet was full of stuff I no longer needed but didn’t have the time to empty. So the needed item went on the counter. Until the counter was full.
Do you ever STOP and THINK what am I doing?!
So, I challenged myself to de-clutter, clean and organize EVERY SINGLE SPACE in our home in 40 days.
I decided to blog my progress and made a list of the 40 areas of my home I would tackle. I decided to have this challenge coincide with Lent and was super excited to learn that I would have Sunday’s off!
I almost bit off more than I could chew! The WHOLE house in 40 days?! It was tough, but I made it. The blogging lagged behind. I underestimated the amount of time both blogging and purging would take.
We have lived in this home for 16 years. Some items hadn’t been touched since we moved in!
My 40th birthday occurred during my 40 day challenge and I realized I was shedding more than “stuff”. I was shedding past hopes, discarded hobbies, past pursuits and old priorities.
I replaced those with a cleaner more streamlined house. I found a happier husband and wife. A home that felt relaxing, purposeful and orderly.
About Lisa:
Lisa is a Cincinnati mom who has struggled the last 12 years to give her kids the best education, food and treatments money can buy. Raising special needs kids is taxing emotionally, relationally, financially and physically. Her dream is to break down the walls isolating special needs families and providing them with information to help them achieve their goals. Lisa blogs at Warrior Mama “Helping busy moms…Manage All Mama’s Assets”.
Visit Life Your Way to see all of the Ultimate Blog Swap participants!
What a fantastic idea! I really must consider such a challenge! I haven’t lived in my house for long (2 months) but I still struggle with keeping order since I have a 1 year old and a 2 year old “undoing” all I have been doing! My challenge would be developing systems through the house to make things easier!
Nikki you are in a VERY challenging and exhausting stage of life!
When my babies were young I focused on having a good morning and bedtime routine.
🙂
Lisa