Frustration of getting nowhere

[Louise Lotz]

Progress is very slow - but I need to take more photos and to keep reminding myself of tangible signs of progress.

Peter brought a load of stuff down from the loft - which was a complication as things were getting a lot tidier.

However, it was good to get some progress on the loft - which is supposed to be cleared by March.

I started to sort out my bedroom - which became badly cluttered again when I chucked a load of stuff in there for Peter's visit.

My progress is that I have tackled that load of stuff and it is a lot better - probably about how it was before he came.

I have also filled a box for the paper recycle - and it is a while since I have done that.

I have been a lot more ruthless about it this time and throw out a lot of things that I probably would have kept.

I have also divided the study and the bedroom into 'quadrants' and sections that I can tackle.

This to some extent does not produce an immediate effect and this is quite frustrating - as I don't see progress as fast as I would like and I just get the feeling I am shifting the stuff from one corner of the room to the other.

In the kitchen I have cleared the pinboard, and this is quite positive as this has not been done for years - I found stuff there that has been there for several years.

It now looks a lot neater.

Tomorrow I am going to start going anti-clockwise again as this will take me to the fridge more quickly - the fridge really needs doing. I know this when there are small crumby bits near the door. It has been done quite recently, so I am doing it fairly often.

There is also a pile of washing.

Then I am doing the bathroom as well tomorrow. With the bathroom I am now starting on deep cleaning. Windows, mirrors and tiles. The tiles have a sludgy colour in the grout and I am taking that out with a cleaner and brush and everything is looking a lot brighter. It will take a while to get all the way round. I have done a few superficial tile scrubs. It will take me a few weeks to get it all really gleaming. The cupboards are all sorted out so now I can concentrate on the cleaning.

In the office I am starting to work out my filing system and to do the shelves one by one and the drawers. There is a certain amount of shifting things from one area to the other and also of wasting time on the computer, but I am nevertheless seeing a steady progress. I have too many books so I have been listing them on Amazon, and there have been some regular sales there - and I am noticing a bit more shelf space.

I have made a new year's resolution to give away 3 books per week. That does not seem like a lot, but it means at least 4 shelves worth of books will be gone and there will be more room.

I need to make sure the resolution also covers books not coming in to replace those that are going out.

There are lots of books I really don't need and won't read and these are the ones to target.

That's all for today.

I am also working on the menu plan - this is quite time-consuming, but I have the concept of getting a file with breakfasts, lunches and suppers and then combining them into menus and making the shopping lists from there.

In the kitchen I still need to clean the cupboard under the sink and the one next to it.

I may start by just cleaning a section of it and a section of the other one, and go through them very slowly. But the fridge needs doing first.

On Monday I need to do a trip to the dump.

That's all for today.


LL

[Jan Ferrante]

Hi Louise, when I read your notes I am amazed and inspired by all that you are accomplishing. I get frustrated sometimes too, but then I think about what it would be like if I hadn't been making the effort - that always makes me feel better.

If you can, take some pictures. It would be nice to see them but just take them for yourself if you would rather not share them.

Or share the before and afters when you are finished.

The reason is much the same as before/after weight loss pictures - it's hard to realize how far you've come day to day but a picture is a great reminder.

It works the other way too. Before pictures can be great incentive to keep going.

I'm glad that you posted your feelings because I think it happens to all of us but I think you really need to give yourself a pat on the back. Also you did make a good point about moving things around - I also have come to the conclusion that the main objective has to be to move things right out. I love your idea about giving away 3 books per week. Books are one of my overflow problems that I can't seem to kick.

I need to do more culling yet, have another small bookshelf or probably best thing - get rid of something on my current shelves to make more space for the books I don't want to part with.

We've been busy with putting on a new wooden counter top in our kitchen the past week. I left my camera battery recharger at my sister's house over Christmas so I wasn't able to get as many pictures as I would have liked but I will post some that I got.

It's not finished yet but already I can't tell you the difference it makes me feel about my entire kitchen and has really made me see the benefit of having one focal point for inspiration.

It doesn't have to be a new thing, just something to inspire - a clear space - a clean space - a space you've made 'yours' - something to shoot for, to give you the experience of having it the way you want it and to measure your new standards by.

I can tell you, the dinginess of the rest of the kitchen really shows now! You'll see what I mean when I post the pictures :0) I have a lot of work to do!