photo: Martha G. Brady

Intentional is our word for today’s Five Minute Friday.

I have enjoyed writing these last few words for the beginning of 2018 (intentional, simplify, motivate). They have helped me put into words, some of my thoughts as I face the New Year. I needed to be intentional about getting quite a few things in order.

In fact, there were so many things that needed to get put in order that I was totally overwhelmed. The past couple of years, it seems that has been part of the New Year for me. I face a new year and the thought of all that needs to be put in order so totally overwhelms me that I can hardly function!

I had to start a list. When I do that, it seems more manageable…always. Then I can start ticking things off the list and soon I’m making all kinds of progress. In the middle of my intentionality came our bad weather. We got predictions of a little snow (not a huge deal here).  stop  But along with it was supposed to come ice.

That meant life would stop around here! Behind our snow and a little ice, was going to come extremely cold weather…single digits! To illustrate that rarity, the last time they had 0 degree weather here was 1989! We got down to 5 I think. Schools were off for two days…Tuesday and Wednesday. Along with MLK holiday on Monday, that is a lot of time off school for the kids!

At any rate, I decided that I would do some major work in my living room on Tuesday and clean it, sort it out and get rid of as much as I could. I spent most of the day on the project along with a few other housekeeping jobs, and at the end of the day, my living room looked pretty good. It was much more inviting than it has been for awhile. A few trashcans were full of extra trash, old magazines and odds and ends that I needed to get rid of. I did a little rearranging too.

I cleared out my bookcase and put in less books and spread out the decorative things so there is more of a blend. I had just shoved things in when I got the bookshelf and wasn’t very intentional about it. It had been more irritating to me than enjoyable. Now I can look at it and smile.

Completing a medium project can energize you to start and finish more projects.

My work on Tuesday energized me to get going on some of the bigger jobs I have to face, but also chip away at parts of jobs.  Something I don’t like doing. I’m more of a go-big-or-go-home project kind of girl!

I have part of my kitchen reorganized now and a section of useable counter space. My dining area is mostly redone as well. This time last year I did a lot of work on my bedroom so I don’t have a lot to do in there.

The other two rooms that will be big jobs are the study and guest bedroom. But I’m ready to do some serious work getting rid of a lot of stuff! I know what we need to live here and even more, what we don’t need to have sitting around.

There is no right place to start your work or right method. Use what works for you. I usually start at the place that is the most irritating. and work out from there. That way I have the instant gratification when the job is done and it fuels me to keep going.

Have your piles: give away, throw away, put away. At the end of the day, put the give aways in the car to take to the place/people to give away things to. Take the trash out and put away the things that go to other rooms. Don’t second guess yourself…especially if you toss or give away things. Give away and throw away as much s possible! Keep only what you use or what is beautiful to you. Take photos of the sentimental and file but don’t clutter your home with the sentimental because you won’t be able to see the beautiful…or find the useful! I’m learning that the hard way!

I prefer to work a room at a time. Then I know when I’m done with that project. I think many people work that way, but if you have another way of doing it that works for you, go for it!

Along the way, there are often details that need to be taken care of. Broken switch plates, issues with computers/printers, etc. Don’t allow them to take you from your focus. Make notes and keep moving.

I’m getting help with some technical work I needed to have done. That will be big. It always seems to complicate things when I can’t figure out how to do some of the apparently simple things. There are some good things about snow days. We can’t get out of the house to do things we often do, so we get things done that need doing around the house, only to music or with a movie in the background, and with stops for hot drinks!

If I keep at it, this intentional living could be addictive. Since Tuesday, every time I walk into the living room, I smile. It is delightful.

Blessings to you if you are trying to be intentional about reorganizing parts of your home or your life. I know it isn’t easy. I’m still plugging away at finances too. It will be a long time before I write a post on that!

**In reading over this, I see I left off the most important piece of advice! Pray and ask GOD to help and guide you as you go through this process! You may need a friend to help you. Ask for help at the stages where you need it.

 But all things should be done decently and in order.

I Corinthians 14:40