Today I started cleansing the STUFF in the boxes in the office.
Surely I am not the only one doing this?
I have plastic boxes holding a plethora of 'stuff' in our office. I am guessing I am not alone here. What do we do with these things? It is a horrible waste to throw the stuff (and the boxes for that matter) away and most don't appear suitable for the charity shops.
Stopping the flow 'in' solves everything!
Being human invites us to grow from experiences. We can either expand our world or contract it. I believe it is our ability to accept 'what is' and 'observe' ourselves that gives us the best viewing platform for growth.
If I was into self-judgement or shame this blog wouldn't be possible, my learning would not happen and sharing it with you would be just a fleeting thought.
Why are we not ok to be human? What has us think there is a higher place to live than where we are right now?
As humans we can only take one step from here. We have choice, don't get me wrong. This is something I am very clear about. But once we make the step towards something, we can only take one at a time. We allow babies to do this when they learn to walk, we let children do this at school... but after a certain period some parents put adult expectations on children and show disappointment when they have learning opportunities (mistakes, errors, poor judgement). What is that all about?!!
I am so happy to learn, grow, share and make mistakes. It has been the greatest asset in my life. From this I find out loads of ways 'not' to do things. And this catapults me towards ways of creating magic in most occasions. I parent this way. I have a completely open learning household where Sammi (12 yrs) can make mistakes, share what she learns etc. Even when she hurts me or others... there is never anger. Instead we talk about it and encourage empathy, understanding and growth.
This was an accidental parenting style that emerged rather than was chosen. It came from me getting angry with her when she was little and I saw it didn't give her anything and didn't expand her. So from that day I took my egoic needs out of the equation and looked at every circumstance with innocence and love.
What has this got to do with boxes... maybe nothing. Unless we decided to put ourselves in one.
Cheers from Deb (chief box head)
Shameless plug - if you are interested in having me as your personal coach drop me an email deb@creativecoaching.com - we can enjoy one step at a time together.
What went out - 2 items
No laughing now... 1 x IPhone 4 cradles for the music player (oh yeah, really needed to keep those!!) and 1/2 packet of paper business cards for the printer...gone-ski!
What came in - 0 items
Zerooooo
INSIGHTS
(1) I'm not a fan of plastic...
(2) Organising with boxes may constrain rather than contain
(3) Self created boxes may be comfortable, but that's as big as it gets
TOTAL: OUT - 808 IN - 116
TOTAL CASH sales from gone-ski items = $48
Am I the only one with this disaster? Or does everyone do the 'where are those shoes' tantrum as they hunt through the boxes? Or worse, find a pair you had forgotten you had?
For ever I had left my shoes in their boxes and placed them in the growing shoe box pile at the bottom of my wardrobe. Often they would have a rest after a long day or night out before they made it back to their box. In summary IT WAS A MESS!!
I know from visiting my friends that this is a common issue and is definitely not solved by buying 'see-through shoe boxes' for a crazy price that just make the mess look pretty.
Lets solve the problem - GET RID OF THE BOXES
Actually, don't even bring them home. Leave them at the store!
Here's what we did.
We found a small closet that was contained various house stuff we rarely used. It was at the end of our hall way and was the perfect depth for shoes (30-40cm / 12-16 inches). So we gutted the closet (took out all the shelves and fixtures), repainted it and then put in heaps of shelves to fit the shoes (some high for heels, some low for flats and at the bottom it was tall enough for my longest boots).
Now, I simply put on clothes, open the shoe closet and find the perfect pair. No mess, no boxes and no waste.
You could do the very same at the bottom of your wardrobe by making selves....or find a wall inside your walk in robe and put in the shelves.
The main thing is to get rid of the clutter, make it easier to find your shoes so you don't need to buy more... as you will realise you have enough or discover you need to add something to your wish-list.
Other clever ideas
What went out - 1 item
I found a box perfect for a birthday gift for my friend...so out it goes.
What came in - 1 items
I bought myself a tea strainer...yes it was an impulse buy.
INSIGHTS
(1) I need to put more effort into my wish-list
(2) Spending time with friends beats shopping every time
TOTAL: OUT - 621 IN - 49
I decided to do on top of the fridge... it was hilarious!
Take it all off first
My way of de-cluttering is to take it all out first and only put back what I would buy if I didn't already have it - a good principle to work by.
So everything came off the top of the fridge and in the end NOTHING remained... LOL.
The two boxes of spare champagne glasses we have (when the thirty people come for a party), the massive cane tray we have NEVER used, the heart shaped (coated) baking tray and plastic cupcake liners are all going to a better home.
The serviettes, place mats, and hand towels have been put in a more handy place.
The six more empty boxes were added to the gone-ski pile.
What will I put on top of my fridge? Not wine as it is too warm, not anything heavy as it is silly.. how about my cook books? They are currently hidden away in a cabinet...out of sight, out of mind.
Ok...here's what I am going to do. I will find an old wooden box that I can repurpose and put my cook books on top of the fridge. That way I can use them more often and enjoy more cooking with my family... yay!!
What went out - 11 items
6 more empty boxes, a cake tin, 2 trays, an old oil bottle (that would not clean properly), and a set of plastic cupcake cookware.
What came in - 0 items
It is amazing how little interest in shopping I have at the moment. WTF is wrong with me!?!
INSIGHTS
(1) Creating clear space is so refreshing to my soul
(2) There is often a better place to put things
TOTAL: OUT - 620 IN - 48
I was wandering around the house trying to find the next place of focus. I looked up above the pantry in the kitchen....BAM!!
How long have you been there hidden in plain sight? LOL
There were 4 empty wine and beer glass boxes. Now I could argue that I may need them one day to pack up and move, or take them on a picnic, or some other reason to keep them. But the honest truth is, I may never use those boxes again... and all they will ever do is sit there and take up space and create an eyesore. Gone-ski!!
So is keeping the boxes about saving? Saving waste, saving the environment by preventing having to buy another one, saving time by having it available now etc.
Where is the line between useful saving and hoarding where the cost of keeping outweighs the value of letting go?
This is a trap for us all in one way or another. Hoarding (I believe) is the 'need' to keep...just in case. Our 'just in case' reasons are unique to us.
Here's a question:
Does this item constrain me, prevent my freedom, invade our space, take time but give little back, demand energy or distract me from my passions?
or
Does this item expand me, enable my freedom, add to my passion, bring joy to our space, enable a better future, inspire us etc?
It's interesting that is happening at this time of life as I watch my parents having to consider down-sizing. What do they do with all the 'stuff' they have accumulated?
Interesting!
What went out - 4 items
4 wine glass boxes. Aren't they funny things to keep.
What came in - 0 items
Doing great on this now.
INSIGHTS
(1) There are things that have been there all along that I cannot see (as in life)
(2) I don't really NEED much
TOTAL: OUT - 609 IN - 48
