Simplifying my simplifying - Page 2

[phroggies]

Originally Posted by tinybutterfly

Maybe we need a support group?

My first thought was "yes!"

My second thought was "oooh, what should we call it. . . " and it just got more involved from there. . . .

Which is typical of me.

P.S. I was an English major. And I am obsessively reading books about simplifying. If I had picked up a room for every book. . . .

[ollineeba]

This is making me laugh.. I can totally relate!
(and I was an English major, too )

[Jennisee]

Originally Posted by phroggies

Okay, now who needs to get out of whose head? I do this All. The. Time.

So, um, should we make a list of the listmakers? :

[Bex80]

What is it with the English majors?? I am one as well....

[mothertoall]

so...is there going to be a group? like a support group? i need one of those.....

[cdmaze]

I'll be in on the planning of the support group... I'll get some binders and some index cards. We're going to need some databases, maybe some books to get us started....

oh wait...

[phroggies]

Originally Posted by cdmaze

I'll be in on the planning of the support group... I'll get some binders and some index cards. We're going to need some databases, maybe some books to get us started....

oh wait...

Exactly!

[Jennisee]

Originally Posted by cdmaze

I'll be in on the planning of the support group... I'll get some binders and some index cards. We're going to need some databases, maybe some books to get us started....

oh wait...

Thanks, I just choked on my water. (Oh, FTR, horticulture major here. Science nerd.)

[mommyddeville]

Originally Posted by Starr

I am trying to really declutter, simplify, and organize. And the only way I can manage is to do things in that order. I think having one set goal is great so you are constantly striving for it. Focus on one thing at a time and finish a project before you start another.

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[GalateaDunkel]

For years I too have had a serious problem with more planning/thinking/reading/fantasizing than actual doing. In the past year I have finally started to resolve this but I still have a long road ahead of me. What has helped me was to realize that it is tied up with issues of self-esteem, perfectionism, fear of failure, etc.

[tinybutterfly]

Originally Posted by Jennisee

So, um, should we make a list of the listmakers? :

:


Oh, I am a listmaker at heart! I have sublists, too.

I have the attention span of a gnat, get easily distracted ( you know start on project, see something else that needs to be done, get side-tracked, see something else that needs to be done, get side-tracked, etc.) and I am essentially someone who would MUCH rather sit, drink tea and read than be busy doing things that will come all undone within 30 minutes of my family's arrival home...

Oh, my in-laws are coming this week-end. That pile is still there...and it won't be gone by Saturday. My MIL asked it about it last time she called. :

I also have to mop the kitchen floor, do general straightening and dusting,etc. I am thinking about it...I'll wait until tomorrow and make a list, then I will draw boxes in front of the most important chores, so I can mark then off when I get them done...and there are nearly always chores that I end up skipping, because I spend too much time planning and procratinating.

It's nice to know there are lots of us who struggle with simplifying our simplifying. :

[tinybutterfly]

Originally Posted by cdmaze

I'll be in on the planning of the support group... I'll get some binders and some index cards. We're going to need some databases, maybe some books to get us started....

oh wait...

[tinybutterfly]

Oh, so is this our support group?

:

[mamadege5]

Don't forget the highliter markers!! Then we can color co-ordinate our lists into priorities!! Gotta have those.

I've jumped into the master bedroom challenge because dh wants to paint. Notice I'm still on the computer though, looking for ideas...argh!

[tinybutterfly]

Originally Posted by mamadege5

I've jumped into the master bedroom challenge because dh wants to paint. Notice I'm still on the computer though, looking for ideas...argh!

I am here with you. Does that count as support? :

So...for me...I am thinking maybe less computer time, less t.v. time, less reading time...and more actual time sorting and tossing. Sigh. It SOUNDS easy, but then I look around at all the "stuff" OR I start sorting and tossing and it feels like some never-ending cycle...AND I am back to planning on a better way to do it. That involves more reading, or more computer research...or more time to relax because I am so stressed about all the stuff.

Good night! Maybe we need not only a support group, but an intervention! :

[phroggies]

Right! I sometimes think the ideal support thread for me would be something that said, over and over:

GET OFF THE COMPUTER. GO DO SOME WORK. NOW.

But heck, where's the fun in that?

[suziek]

I'm in. Can I be on a subcommittee? I just need to have a special role I can quit when I become overwhelmed.

[lula]

I love this thread!

At one point last week I actually had on the my list the task to "organize and inventory my simplifing/organizing resources." (here I think resources could be a very broad term that encompases books, index cards, various containers, magazines, pages pulled from magazines, websites scratched on odd papers, etc. etc.)


Hmmm...I think I could use a support group!

[SusannahM]

I used to have a list. A LONG LIST. I've since come to realize that the list was really only wasting my time and keeping me from doing anything, since (1) I was constantly looking at it and (2) it was totally stressing me out. So, now I still have the list, but I make it a point to only add to it important things (and I sat down and thought REALLY hard about my priorities, so I now know what is important), and to constantly pull out items that aren't important. So, the list has shrunk A LOT. For everyday things, I don't make a list. I mean, I know what needs doing. I don't need reminding, they're the same things that I've needed to do routinely for years. So, when I have time, I do something. About organizing, it's basically the same thing. I know what needs doing. The trick is to do very small chunks at a time, so the kids can't undo them while they're in the middle stages (like scattering piles of clothes while I'm trying to organize a closet, childproofing doorknobs in the middle of things has also helped ).

I find the key for me is ACTION. Just start doing. Since you've written down those lists and systems so many times, chances are you have them memorized anyway . Force yourself to just use your time to DO, not think about doing.

[tinybutterfly]

Okay, there is an auction thingie and we got rid of a big t.v. hutch and a Total Gym. Donated. Gone. Out of my basement.

It's only a small dent in the massive mess that is the storage area down there...but it's a start.

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