Back on Track
February 4, 2009 at 6:00 am , by Emily
Something happened to me slowly and I didn’t notice it until I was forced to. I got sick over the weekend and while laying around moaning and grumbling about it, I also looked around me and realized that my house had become my worst nightmare. Clutter was gathering and it got to the point that I wasn’t even noticing it anymore. Things had sat out of place so long, they stopped looking out of place. I did have to find some humor in that my toddler had placed canned goods throughout the living room. At least I noticed those were out of place.
At the time that I realized what was going on around me, I was incapable of fixing it. I just had to lay there staring at the messes. Perhaps a combination of not being able to and sheer horror, I wanted so badly to start getting back on track. Once I was feeling better, I found my motivation to slowly, little by little, pick away at what needed to be done.
It’s amazing how easy it is to mess up a house without effort and how much effort it takes to fix it. I started by picking up stray toys. I cleared out outgrown clothes. I took things out of the house that were no longer working for us. Sometimes, although I have the best of intentions when something comes in, it just doesn’t work right here. I have to let it go.
One tiny step at a time, I put things back together around here. I emptied cupboards and scrubbed them. I washed the inside of the refrigerator before I grocery shopped. I wiped down doors, windows, baseboards. I don’t do all that well with focusing all my attention on one room at a time. So I moved, slowly, throughout the house. Working the tiny steps into our normal routine. While dinner cooked, I scrubbed out the microwave. While kids showered, I cleaned the bathroom. While folding and putting away laundry, I filled bags with clothing no longer worn. I moved furniture to make things more functional and managable.
Once the house began to look pretty again, it was amazing what it did for me. I know that there is no way to live an inspired and organized life if my surroundings aren’t inspired or organized. I was taking care of myself about as well as I had been taking care of the house. It had been far too long since my last haircut. I wasn’t taking care of me or putting my needs anywhere even near the list. My house was uninspired, cluttered and depressing. So too was I.
By taking a few tiny steps, nothing dramatic, but simply tackling it on a manageable level, I was able to get things back on track quite easily. Yesterday, amidst a very inspiring, fun, busy day, I went and got a haircut. I stopped making excuses and stopped waiting for the perfect time. I took both kids with me and let go of the dream of an afternoon at the salon alone. My son sat in a chair next to me singing to all of us and flirting with the ladies at the salon. My daughter got her haircut too, acting more grown up than I am prepared to admit she is. I felt rejuvenated and motivated and productive. All just by starting out picking up a few toys and ending with a haircut.
This post is part of The Inspired Room’s a beautiful life series. Check it out for more inspiration around the blog world
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by Nicki at Domestic Cents
On February 4, 2009 at 9:05 am
The getting started really stinks but isn’t the outcome so worth it? I love it when my home is somewhere I can let out a cleansing sigh and relax. Congrats on tackling the piles!
Nicki at Domestic Cents´s last blog post..Menu Planning And Grocery Shopping
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by Jen@Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
On February 4, 2009 at 10:25 am
I can so relate. I am looking around and it’s everywhere, but so many other things are calling. It’s the keeping on top of it that is so important because you’re right. It happens quickly without realization.
Jen@Balancing Beauty and Bedlam´s last blog post..Bulk Baking- 2nd Edition (Best ever cookie)
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by Chiot's Run
On February 4, 2009 at 11:02 am
So true, this is the current state of my home. It seems to happen here when we get bogged down by a big project or extra work this time of year, working from home can be a blessing and a curse. I am planning on take an hour each day to work on cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning. If only I could teach these pets to do the cleaning.
Chiot’s Run´s last blog post..Heirloom Tomato Seeds from WinterSown
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by the pleasures of homemaking
On February 4, 2009 at 11:11 am
It’s so easy for things to get out of hand and then it takes so much effort to get it back under control! I’ve always believe that my home was a reflection of me on some level and I’ve found that when I’m overwhelmed or depressed you can see it in my home before you can see it in me!
Manuela
the pleasures of homemaking´s last blog post..The Valentine Tree – VDay Pt. 2
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by Vered - MomGrind
On February 4, 2009 at 12:46 pm
I love your haircut!
Physical clutter leads to emotional clutter. It’s great that you noticed it and stopped it from piling on even more.
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by Alana @ Gray Matters
On February 4, 2009 at 4:39 pm
I’ve definitely been there before, too. So glad you’re back and feeling (and looking) great!
Alana @ Gray Matters´s last blog post..My Wish For Her
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by Lindsay
On February 4, 2009 at 8:43 pm
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by Lindsay
On February 4, 2009 at 8:44 pm
I’m apparently the worst. block quoter. ever. Let’s try again, without the fancy html:
“It’s amazing how easy it is to mess up a house without effort and how much effort it takes to fix it.”
I totally agree with this statement! I feel like if I skip one day of straightening and spot cleaning, it takes days to get back on track. Why is that?
“Clutter was gathering and it got to the point that I wasn’t even noticing it anymore. Things had sat out of place so long, they stopped looking out of place.”
I wonder if this is what’s happened to the three neighbors on my street that still have their Christmas lights up on their house?
Lindsay´s last blog post..Bringing the Outside In
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by Jess
On February 5, 2009 at 12:13 am
I have been there many times and am probably there right now. Last time I got a haircut I felt so great I promised myself that I’d keep it up. Yeah…I’m already overdue. I think your hair looks fantastic! I need to kick myself in the butt and follow your lead. Thanks for sharing this with us. It’s nice to hear that it’s not just me
P
Jess´s last blog post..Get Woman’s Day magazine for free!
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by teresa
On February 6, 2009 at 8:42 am
I love that feeling of having everything in it place and a place for everything- thanks for sharing- sweet picture of you and your daughter.
Have a great day.
teresa´s last blog post..Le shed-
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by Fifi Flowers
On February 6, 2009 at 11:02 am
This is my first time here… looks like you have some wonderful inspiration around you site… off to peek!
ENJOY your day!
Fifi
Fifi Flowers´s last blog post..All About Beautiful Communication…
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by Katie
On February 6, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Oh my gosh! It feels like ages since I have been at your site. Please forgive me. I’ve missed your inspiring ideas and reflections. Hope everything goes as well as those haircuts.
Katie
Katie´s last blog post..Sharing American Chocolate Chip Cookies in Germany
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by melissa @ the inspired room
On February 6, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Hi Emily, oh yes, I’ve been there. Things can fall apart at my house really quickly if I get sick! I am at Blissdom right now! Actually Fussy just started talking so I should be listening to her, but I wanted to pop in and say hi!!!
Glad you are feeling better!!
Melissa
melissa @ the inspired room´s last blog post..A Beautiful Life: The Blissdom Edition
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by Jaclyn
On February 6, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Great post! I go through the same feeling and should push myself a little harder, the result is always worth it!
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by Climbing Out of the Mess - The Rest of the Week — Laurel Plum Online
On February 6, 2009 at 10:27 pm
[...] for the trip to get ingredients for dinner. I think when Hubby gets home today, I will follow Emily’s lead and go get a haircut. (She was kind enough to comment and let us know she is catching [...]
by Meredith
On February 6, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Horror is a great motivator! Your post made me laugh, I get to the point of horror on a regular basis. Thanks for the inspiration.
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by Slowing Things Down
On February 7, 2009 at 3:39 am
[...] Back on Track — from Remodeling This Life [...]
by Lynette
On February 7, 2009 at 2:21 pm
I certainly understand this. I have been looking at my house the last week wondering, “Where did all this stuff come from?!” About the haircut, I always make an appointment before I leave the hairdressers because I feel it’s easier for me to cancel an appt. than to make one.
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by Elizabeth
On February 7, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Hi, You know what I did as I read your post? I started cleaning up my house. I was ill all last week with a kidney problem and couldn’t get a thing done. The house was a disaster. But in the middle of reading your post about this, I started cleaning up the Family Room. Now I feel SOOOOOO much better.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Elizabeth
Elizabeth´s last blog post..Show and Tell Friday
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by Savory
On February 7, 2009 at 10:00 pm
You’re so right. One step at a time. You’ve given me inspiration.
Savory´s last blog post..A beautiful life???
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by suzanne
On February 9, 2009 at 8:38 am
It is mostly a mental effort, isn’t it? Choosing NOT to deal with prolongs it, but choosing to DEAL with it, after the mental hump is proverbially jumped over!, feels so good….nothing like accomplishment to spur you on! Good for you!
Suzanne
suzanne´s last blog post..I.C.E.
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by Bre
On February 9, 2009 at 1:39 pm
It’s amazing the dominoe effect when we clear clutter…it makes us feel so much better and touches all areas of our lives. Something we all have experienced ..thanks for sharing.
Cheers
Bre
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by Climbing Out of the Mess - Epilogue — Laurel Plum Online
On February 9, 2009 at 2:13 pm
[...] us over the past couple of days thanks to a link from Small Notebook and from where I linked to Remodeling This Life. I admire Rachel and Emily so much. To find out they were also out of sorts was like getting a [...]
by Cara
On February 10, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Thanks for this post. It’s comforting to know that there are LOTS of other people in the same boat.
Cara´s last blog post..First-ever product giveaway (!)
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by Good Reads: Mismatch : Domestic Cents
On February 14, 2009 at 2:34 am
[...] Emily at Remodeling This Life talks about getting Back On Track [...]