Beyond tasky tasks and cleaning for cleaning’s sake
(www.myorganizedbiz.com) - I’m talking about spring cleaning this month and it can be tempting to think that if you just get your paper under control, everything will be fine. But if you just deal with paper, you’re missing the point. The reality is that paper requires maintenance – and so do you.
You’ve probably heard the saying that a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind. I don’t agree with this notion because it’s an inherently unkind judgment. But I do think that physical clutter indicates a cluttered life – too full of unwanted obligations and acquiescence – and not nearly enough soul-satisfying, heart-nourishing activity.
As you learn to filter out the physical belongings in your office, you end up making room for spaciousness and beauty and life. This can serve as a template for filtering out unnecessary “shoulds” and commitments in your life, so that there is enough room enough for you.
If you had a day at home uninterrupted, how might you spend your time? What would contribute more peace and replenishment into your life? What obligations might you need to purge to make this possible?
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POSTED IN: Declutter and downsize, Time off
10 opinions for Beyond tasky tasks and cleaning for cleaning’s sake
Ann
Apr 22, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I’m learning that when I get some uninterrupted time to myself I need to spend at least some of it on recreation or rejuvenation, instead of launching into an organizing/cleaning project. Otherwise life feels like “all work and no play” and we know how that ends . . .
Tammy Vitale
Apr 23, 2008 at 6:25 am
what do you do with the books that muliply like Topsy (I’m a reader - I do recycle but some books are meant to stay forever - I have 3 floor to ceiling double wide bookcases in my office and one in another room, and a 1/2 bookcase by my desk. And they’re full to overflowing! including the art magazines which I am loath to get rid of. The basement is my studio (another bookcase down there - stuffed). Any ideas?
Mark Silver
Apr 23, 2008 at 11:01 am
Jen- AMEN to what you wrote. And let me just say that I am absolutely jazzed that today is my first session with you- I’m so looking forward to the compassion, grounded, knowledgeable help you’re bringing to my office.
P.S. don’t forget to bring the shovel…
Brandie Kajino
Apr 23, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Hi J,
Isn’t it funny how we don’t make space for beauty to come into our lives and work? Almost like life has to be a stuffed sausage - so full it’s almost bursting. Ick! Julia Cameron has a great exercise in her book called “Artist Dates”. You make time for what you love, and what nourishes you. Only when we are full do we have time to give to others.
Great article, and also great newsletter (as always). :)
Jennifer Hofmann
Apr 24, 2008 at 11:21 am
Ann - Yeah, exactly - no fun! :)
Tammy - I’m going to feature your question (a great one at that!) on next Wednesday’s Makeover. Thanks so much for asking!!
Mark - Thanks! You’re a lot more organized than you think - now we just need to do some tweaking. That’s the fun part. :)
Brandie - Yay! It’s great to see you! I didn’t know there was a name for it - cool!
Every few days or so, I drag out my guitar and just hammer away at it and sing at the top of my lungs. When I’m feeling slumpy, I think about doing it with my “rational” side and think it’s unimportant, but then I play and it’s SOOO invigorating!
Vicky White
Apr 24, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Great reminder Jen,
I’ve started making space for my own creative projects - just realized lately that even though I use my creativity in my business, there was part of my soul not being nourished. Now it is and I’m feeling way more inspired…. about everything.
My intention is to make time for creativity that has nothing to do with work and other people - every day. Right now I have a whole lot of images spread all over the living room floor so I can keep looking at them to create a collage - quite the departure for the clutter busting queen!
And it’s OK!
Mark Silver
Apr 24, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Hi Vicky- great to see you! I have to say that you’ve been an inspiration to me recently- mainly because I’ve started learning a lot more about how to take photos, and playing with my digital camera. I remember some of the beautiful pictures you’ve made. So thanks for the inspiration of helping me lean into an unknown-until-now artistic side!
Vicky White
Apr 24, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Hi Mark - good to connect with you again - Jen is such a catalyst! Good to hear your creative side is coming out - guess it was just taking a little break. I’ve recently been going through a creative transformation of my own - you can read about it here - it particularly relates to my photography - might be interesting. http://lifedesignstrategies.com/blog/?p=44
Celeste Varley
Apr 24, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Perfect timing Jen !
Your article sounded like you’ve been monitoring my clients’ insights this week. They’re realizing how much of themselves they’re finding in their first art making adventures. One even decided to use my exercise to replace old habits with new in the stuck parts of her life. Gutsy !
Then I awoke with an idea to unstick my own painting. It wasn’t coming to life no matter how I went at it in my usual way. So I let myself play, like my clients. I glazed different coloured paint in bands across the whole thing, letting it dribble down and mix in places it wanted to. The forms still shine through from beneath, but it has come to life in a new direction, all wet, colourful and soul satisfying.
Even old dogs can learn new tricks, especially when they follow their own suggestions and follow their heart.
Jen, you’re the queen of connecting too.
Hi Vicky ! So glad to see you again. Like Mark, I’m so happy to see your photography skills again, and that they’re still alive and soul satisfying.
Jennifer Hofmann
Apr 24, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Hi Mark, Vicky and Celeste!
What’s so fascinating to me is the thread evolving about the value of creative expression through art in its varied forms. Photography, painting, music…
How much more enlivening it is when we frefrain from judgment and the old chesnuts about how things “should” be. I really believe that it allows us to return to our work refreshed and with new perspective.
Nice work on the “mess”, Vicky!
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