New Year is upon us... and still there is so much we never got done in 2011.
I have plenty of projects that never got finished, but I have decided that at least my
little sacred space will be cleaned and ready for mid-night.
I know it can sound like a daunting quest, but I am so resolved that I started by washing my
bedroom curtains this morning (ok, I only have them in the bedroom and I do live in a tropical country and it is summer... but it's raining hard !).
I have put together a small plan to accomplish all I need done today.... and it's going to be a long hard working day !
Starting with the bedroom, clean freshly washed linens, curtains and all drawers reasonably organized - still have one to go. All paper work is in place, even if not finalized - yet !
No junk under the bed. Try and make room in a closet of cupboard to store in an organized manner all you still need to address and make a pledge to do so before the month of January is over.
I have started clearing clothes and accessories that I do not use to donate or get rid of. There are only so many shoes & bags one can use during a year. I'm not a fashion freak so all I have is usually very classic style (great help !) This is something everyone I know says they do but never get down to actually finishing ! Clear space for the new !!
Next I move into the bathroom and go through the medicine/makeup cabinet and get rid of anything that has expired or will in the next 45 days if I am absolutely sure I will not use it... do you really need 3 facial creams that are 3/4 used ? keep your favorite and make a mental note not to go out and get 3 new ones !
Makeup is something I find just goes adding up in the sponge bag... how many 7 year old mascaras do you have ? and eye liners? not to mention lipstick or nail polish.... ahhh the good feeling to know you really need to spend some quality time at Sephora to replace all that old dry stuff ! Make a list, really, a LIST and keep to it. You can go adding on as the year goes by.
Next, have a good look into your showers... If you are anything like me you will have dozens of open shampoos, hair creams and the outrageously delicious shower gels & soaps... I know, sometimes my shower looks ridiculous... but I love smells. Get rid of what is almost empty. If the packaging is good for further use, wash them and keep, if not recycle. Old little stubs of different soaps can be recycled into new garden soap bars - just add them to a jar with a little water (I'll post the recipie on a future post). Wash down the bathroom and add a new wonderful bar of soap for your shower when you have finished ! I like to put out a new toothbrush (the old one can go to the cleaning caddy) and a new toothpaste.
Then I move into the kitchen and make sure my shelves are organized and clean.
This is easy as I have open shelves, but if you are overwhelmed with the task just try and get things into a way that they don't come crashing down if you open a door. I clean the stove top, inside the refrigerator making sure everything is fresh and edible ! and then put all the washed dishes away... don't leave them hanging out in the washer because you will have to clear them out after your New Year's dinner tonight. The idea is also that you get things into a smooth flow for tonight and tomorrow morning... who ever wants to wake up to a messy kitchen on the very 1st day of the year ?
My daughter's room has been serving as a sort of hold-all for the last few months. I have no way of clearing it all out today, but at least I can organize somewhat and leave the bed cleared and the room aired and looking reasonably good.
The living area goes next. I have washed loose covers and have dusted the furniture. I will put away books that are hanging out on the dinning/work table and change the bunt out lamp bulb.
When all is done - yes my home is very small - I will sweep and then mop the floors.
A little water with tea-tree, lavender & rosemary ...
Where I live there is a custom of always having a new broom for the New Year so you don't sweep the same old things... For good measure I have a new grass one !
If you can't get one, wash yours down and if it is half dead just get rid of it and get a new one later....
I wash the outside entry way and dust the door mat. All done. It has taken a couple of hours but I feel great and lighter.
Fresh flowers everywhere, fresh fruit from the garden in a bowl on the kitchen counter , incense from India and some tea-lights in the evening and I am ready to welcome 2012.
Remember, you can only do so much. If you have anyone to help even better. But don't get over frustrated if it's not done to perfection. The intention of having an organized and clean house to welcome the New Year is what is important.
Wishes of abundant blessings, health & happiness !
" You are what your deep driving desire is.
As your desire is, so is your will.
As your will is, so is your deed.
As your deed is, so is your destiny ".
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
The Upanishads
translated by Eknath Easwaran (Nilgiri Press)
I have plenty of projects that never got finished, but I have decided that at least my
little sacred space will be cleaned and ready for mid-night.
I know it can sound like a daunting quest, but I am so resolved that I started by washing my
bedroom curtains this morning (ok, I only have them in the bedroom and I do live in a tropical country and it is summer... but it's raining hard !).
I have put together a small plan to accomplish all I need done today.... and it's going to be a long hard working day !
Starting with the bedroom, clean freshly washed linens, curtains and all drawers reasonably organized - still have one to go. All paper work is in place, even if not finalized - yet !
No junk under the bed. Try and make room in a closet of cupboard to store in an organized manner all you still need to address and make a pledge to do so before the month of January is over.
I have started clearing clothes and accessories that I do not use to donate or get rid of. There are only so many shoes & bags one can use during a year. I'm not a fashion freak so all I have is usually very classic style (great help !) This is something everyone I know says they do but never get down to actually finishing ! Clear space for the new !!
Next I move into the bathroom and go through the medicine/makeup cabinet and get rid of anything that has expired or will in the next 45 days if I am absolutely sure I will not use it... do you really need 3 facial creams that are 3/4 used ? keep your favorite and make a mental note not to go out and get 3 new ones !
Makeup is something I find just goes adding up in the sponge bag... how many 7 year old mascaras do you have ? and eye liners? not to mention lipstick or nail polish.... ahhh the good feeling to know you really need to spend some quality time at Sephora to replace all that old dry stuff ! Make a list, really, a LIST and keep to it. You can go adding on as the year goes by.
Next, have a good look into your showers... If you are anything like me you will have dozens of open shampoos, hair creams and the outrageously delicious shower gels & soaps... I know, sometimes my shower looks ridiculous... but I love smells. Get rid of what is almost empty. If the packaging is good for further use, wash them and keep, if not recycle. Old little stubs of different soaps can be recycled into new garden soap bars - just add them to a jar with a little water (I'll post the recipie on a future post). Wash down the bathroom and add a new wonderful bar of soap for your shower when you have finished ! I like to put out a new toothbrush (the old one can go to the cleaning caddy) and a new toothpaste.
Then I move into the kitchen and make sure my shelves are organized and clean.
This is easy as I have open shelves, but if you are overwhelmed with the task just try and get things into a way that they don't come crashing down if you open a door. I clean the stove top, inside the refrigerator making sure everything is fresh and edible ! and then put all the washed dishes away... don't leave them hanging out in the washer because you will have to clear them out after your New Year's dinner tonight. The idea is also that you get things into a smooth flow for tonight and tomorrow morning... who ever wants to wake up to a messy kitchen on the very 1st day of the year ?
My daughter's room has been serving as a sort of hold-all for the last few months. I have no way of clearing it all out today, but at least I can organize somewhat and leave the bed cleared and the room aired and looking reasonably good.
The living area goes next. I have washed loose covers and have dusted the furniture. I will put away books that are hanging out on the dinning/work table and change the bunt out lamp bulb.
When all is done - yes my home is very small - I will sweep and then mop the floors.
A little water with tea-tree, lavender & rosemary ...
Where I live there is a custom of always having a new broom for the New Year so you don't sweep the same old things... For good measure I have a new grass one !
If you can't get one, wash yours down and if it is half dead just get rid of it and get a new one later....
I wash the outside entry way and dust the door mat. All done. It has taken a couple of hours but I feel great and lighter.
Fresh flowers everywhere, fresh fruit from the garden in a bowl on the kitchen counter , incense from India and some tea-lights in the evening and I am ready to welcome 2012.
Remember, you can only do so much. If you have anyone to help even better. But don't get over frustrated if it's not done to perfection. The intention of having an organized and clean house to welcome the New Year is what is important.
" You are what your deep driving desire is.
As your desire is, so is your will.
As your will is, so is your deed.
As your deed is, so is your destiny ".
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
The Upanishads
translated by Eknath Easwaran (Nilgiri Press)
