I require a good hard shove to declutter these days, my friends! Always something else to do—I am a master procrastinator.

I wonder what I was doing before with the six hours a week I now spend in the pottery studio? Maybe cooking, possibly cleaning, or just keeping up with life—emails, etc? It was definitely not keeping my house from getting overrun by *stuff*.

The last month or so found my mind laden by time management and tasks, namely packing the house for new carpet, then traveling abroad, to the point where this past week I was finally taken down by some ambient virus, opportunistic little bugger. But as I climb out from illness a new energy emerges, one that breathes easier now that the carpet is installed and I can move back into my spaces with intention and organization.

It’s too embarrassing to show the before photos; suffice it to say my house has been *dense* for many years. I took a carload of stuff to Goodwill a few weeks ago, and there is at least another half load accumulating. I think my nervous system has relaxed significantly since getting my closets out of the bathtub and books back on the shelf today. The latter now bears a cohesive organization for the first time in years. *sigh*

The first thing that called to move back, however, was my stationery. In excavating my prior spaces I discovered packets of it squirreled away everywhere, and I took the time to box it up together so I’d know exactly where to find it all. I felt positively giddy to unpack it onto that empty shelf right next to the desk that had been too buried to use. Then I moved all of my washi tape boxes on top, and my craft drawers back in place, and voilà, now all I want to do is sit and write snail mail.

It will be some weeks before the whole place is back to full operational status. I’m confident I can get there steadily, and the journey will be at least as rewarding as the outcome. Come to think of it, I’ve been clearing space and opening more than just floors and closets lately. Money, emotions, and relationships are all getting a good evaluation and adjustment, all in refreshing and reinforcing ways. Pottery has reignited some creativity as well as stimulated openness to trying new things in a safe and familiar setting.

We live in our stagnation because it’s the status quo, no? It’s organic and insidious, just happens. I could have continued living in that state indefinitely, I think. And it has certainly cost me to disrupt and reorganize it. But it’s already worth the time, attention, and energy (physical, emotional, and relational) spent. The challenge now will be to establish and maintain a new, more mindful and intentional environment that reflects how I want to show up to myself and my life.

Clearing space. Opening. Reorganizing. Oh, this could be good and big.