This summer I watched the people of the midwest fill sandbags to create walls to keep the rising floodwaters out of their towns and neighborhoods. It was a last-ditch effort to keep their property from being destroyed by rivers that spilled over their banks and onto land that was never meant to hold water.
I sometimes feel like those sandbaggers when it comes to my home. There is a flood of STUFF...toys, papers, shoes, towels, plates, cups, books, etc. that simply wants to run amok unless I take some drastic action to stem the tide. Please, people. Could we just put our things away?
Here's the thing: I don't need my entire house to be spotless in order to be happy. But I DO need certain areas to remain picked up and orderly in order for me to feel sane. My eyes need somewhere to rest where they aren't bombarded with clutter. I like to sit down every now and then and feel a sense of calm around me, even if other areas of the house are knee deep in poo.
Today's Small Thing is to do a little sandbagging. We are going to carve out ONE area that will stay neat today, draw a line around it, build a wall and keep out the flood of clutter. It will take a few minutes to get it looking good, and then some vigilance to guard the dam, but it's going to feel great! Just one room or area is very doable and very satisfying.
I'm going to choose the kitchen as my one area today. I'm pretty good at keeping the front room picked up, but the kitchen (especially in summer) is a challenge. Here's what I'm going to do: I'll empty the trash so the can is ready for the day's paper plates and crusts of bread that don't get eaten. I'll unload the dishwasher so that it is ready for the mountains of plates and (mostly) cups. And I'll clear off the countertop and mail/junk/key/receipt collection area right off the bat. And I'll announce to my troops that they must pitch in to the effort, because we are a community, after all.
How about you? Which ONE area will you sandbag today? Maybe your bedroom should be off-limits to the tide of clutter and laundry. Or if a whole room is too much for you today, why not consider the kitchen table or counter top as your real estate to protect?
The point is, we NEED just one space in our homes that looks good and feels good. The flood of junk may threaten every other area today, but when you make a stand and say "THIS FAR AND NO MORE," it gives you a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of refuge to see it stay nice. When a breach happens, simply remove the unwanted stuff and keep working on your territory. No need to get mean or ugly....just get determined.
POINTS: 40 for sandbagging one area of your home and keeping it neat today.
Let us know: what area are you sandbagging?
