Sometimes it's okay to give up.

I can't do Project Life anymore. It is too overwhelming. I gave up on the idea of "catching up" ages ago, but I can't even do a little bit at a time.

The thing that really scares me is that I wonder what this will mean for the rest of my scrapbooking.

I hate going in to that room. I can't get past whatever mental block is preventing me from cleaning up in there. And while my September clean up went really well, I went and re-organized a bunch of furniture in there, and now it looks worse. And I never did put away the sorted items. My room is choking me. This used to be my favourite room in the house. And now...

I feel so out of sorts...sigh. but I know full well that if something isn't bringing me JOY and is instead bringing me down, it's got to go.

So bye bye Project Life. If was fun and stressful while it lasted, but I think it was doomed from the start. And so now I make room in my head for learning how to knit a pattern, and more doodling, and making a big painting! And I can't feel bad, I just can't. It's for the best.

later loves

well, this wasn't supposed to post today...oopsies! Maybe I'll add those picture to it tomorrow! Wink...#firstworldproblems

Panic Panic Panic in the Studio

One of my loftier goals this year is to clean out my studio. This is the big one, a doozy for sure. You see, my studio is my dumping ground. If we are having guests over, and there is a pile of stuff on the dining room table that is waiting to find a more permanent home, it inevitably ends up in the "purgatory" that is my studio. There are half-finished projects everywhere, and when I most recently re-arranged all the furniture in there things that needed to find homes (or needed to be junked) just moved in to the centre of the room and have been hanging out there ever since. I want to say it's been like this for a year or so (yikes!!), but it feels like an eternity.

I cannot stand it anymore. I really can't. I hate even looking in the door (which I can open and close now - miracle!) and I never want to actually work in there. It sucks my creative juices right out, and makes me feel guilty for playing when I really need to be cleaning....and purging.

But this is a daunting task, people. I am not by any stretch of anyone's imagination an "organized" person, and I can't bear to throw (most) things away. Especially something that I have made, or at least started to make.

I have given myself some guidelines on this.
#1. I CAN make this project last all year, taking it a bit at a time, just so it doesn't completely overwhelm me.
#2. But I MUST work on it a little every week/month.
#3. I WILL be ruthless when deciding what to keep.

I have no idea as to what I want the room to look like, but I really really want to be able to see the floor! Ha! But seriously, I think I will try and make-do with the furniture & shelves that are already in there, and save my money for the big bathroom renovation that I have been promising myself for years. That's got to happen this year month, come hell or high water!

Do you have any "organization" goals for the new year?

Any tips for the "my life is a mess" kind of person?!

(because I sure could use some!)

This is one of my BIG Goals for 2013! To see the rest, and to follow along with my progress check out this page!

later loves

"Take A Class" - the vaguest goal ever set!

So, this has been on my mind a lot lately. "Taking a class" that is. So much so, that it made it on the Grand Goal List for 2013! I absolutely loved learning about new things in school, and sometimes still wish I had the gumption (& money...& time) to go back full-time. But for now, a simple online class will have to do.

I jumped right in to this goal, both feet first, and signed up for Aby Garvey's Simplify 101 "Quick & Simple Clutter Control" the first week of January. I figure "quick" is handy, because even though I have been backing off on some responsibilities, I feel I have less and less time to get things done. And "simple" fit right into all of my other goals (and thoughts, and aspirations) for the year. And clutter....well, I've got loads of that! I'm drowning in that!

The online workshop started (officially) on January 3rd, and while I am actually kind of completely an idiot when if comes to figuring out online classes set up like this - steep learning curve - I actually posted something in the forum (gasp!) and followed the first couple of prompts (egad!).

The class is done now, and as per usual, I faded out after week one. Ha! But I actually got a lot from the class, took some steps to keep the clutter at bay, and did some cleaning! Say what?!

This first step towards expanding my horizons was a positive one! And it was a good first step toward taking more classes, and maybe even - gasp - something live and in person! Tee hee! It's also a great tie-in to my "one little word" that is going to shape my year....that I am still not ready to share. Which actually, is a problem that my OLW should address...hmmm. Progress, people. Growing & progress & becoming a better person, & blah blah blah.

later loves