As I was doing some prep work for this 31 day series, I ran across this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson. It contains the perfect words to describe how I feel about my dreams of Simple. My Dream of Simple will eliminate the vast majority of my problems! The dilemma, though, is that my dreams are often hindered by my problems! Problems in this case equal STUFF! All the junk, the excess, the unnecessary, the boxes and crates, the clothes and papers, etc. They are time consuming. They are energy consuming. They are emotionally draining. Chaos inducers is really all they are!
As the spouse of a soldier and mother of 4, the excess, the chaos, takes its toll. It hinders me from being able to even have dreams of my own. The piles and constant cleaning that needs to be done keeps me from doing things that I enjoy. There is no freedom in the piles of stuff that clutter random corners of my house. So the dream of Simple is also a dream of Freedom. Freedom to have time to play soccer games in the backyard or go for walks or to read books with my family. Freedom to craft and sew and create. Freedom to develop relationships with other women.
In my efforts toward Simple, I have 3 tasks that I attempt to complete every day.
Make the bed.
Do a load of laundry - start to finish.
Clean the kitchen before getting in my 'made' bed.
It is amazing the feeling of accomplishment I get out of completing these 3 tiny tasks. I never thought waking up to a clean kitchen was that big of a deal until I started attempting it! Wow! Knowing every day that I don't have to spend time wiping counters or whatever I normally would leave undone is so freeing and puts me at ease. If I accomplish nothing but these 3 in a day, I have achieved one small goal, developed a good habit, and eliminated a couple specs of chaos!
What is on your daily 'must do' list? I am in no way perfect at completing mine, but more days than not lately I can get them done!
Tomorrow we'll talk a little more about my 'problems!' See you then!
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