Can We Talk 2

Progress with the FLY Method

         My home doesn't look perfect. Neither does the yard, the garage or the shed. But my attitude is so much better. It doesn't have to be perfect, and I don't have to be embarrassed by it. I'm making small improvements. I can forgive myself if I forget to do something or don't give it a 100% on a given day. I'll have another chance.

         I'm separating myself from some things that only have sentimental value. I plan to go through some boxes in the shed that were my things when I moved in. At this point, if I ever live somewhere else, I will use what is now in the house. I don't need my old things from the past any longer. I didn't know that when I moved in, but I know it now. Goodwill is going to receive a lot of pots and pans next week.

         One reason, I think, that I have accumulated and held on to so much stuff is a fear of being homeless. Like having a ton of old, out of style clothes, jigsaw puzzles, and cookware is going to make up for no roof over my head. I've always worked, sometimes at two jobs, but despite my education, it's been at the low end of the income scale. Which means I didn't put that much into social security through the years, so I don't get much out. I worked overnight in a homeless shelter once as a volunteer, and it made an indelible impact on me. I have struggled all my life financially, so I guess being homeless is my worse possible scenario. Well, maybe I will be homeless someday, but I can't carry all those belongings with me. Time to get rid of them.

         I also hold onto things because they were my mother's or some other family member's. But I have no children to pass them to, so I might as well get rid of them. I looked at some mugs from my college today, and realized no one sees them in that room. They have no usefulness. I know I went to that college; I don't need mugs to remind me. They can be donated. For the time being I don't need to save packs of sugar or ketchup, etc., so I can let those go. I'm decluttering a little at a time. It doesn't have to be all overnight.

         Meanwhile, I have shiny sinks every day. The toilets are sparkly, and at least for a few minutes, germ-free. The floors around the toilets are washed daily. For now, I'm still changing the sheets bi-weekly, instead of every week, but there is a set day. I regularly clean out my purse and wallet (they get cluttered, too). I haven't worked through all 5 zones yet, so I know I'll get another chance to work on a problem area. Baby steps. That's the way to get out of the Chaos and into a peaceful home. I'm taking baby steps.