Seeing The Forest Through the Trees

One thing I struggle with daily is being overwhelmed. 

I look at the laundry, overwhelming.

I look at the toys, overwhelming.

I look at the dishes, overwhelming. 

I look at my desk, overwhelming.  

Don't even get me started on the rest of the house.  I watch "Hoarders" and always feel better about my house, because while it's cluttered, it's not disgusting.  We have a lot of stuff crammed into a small space, dominated by large people.  I'm not saying we're fat or anything (though...I am!  LOL) Anyway, the kids are growing rapidly and often I find myself looking at all the "stuff" we have and shaking my head.

I hate throwing out the kids toys though.  I know.  They have LOTS!  Overall, they have too much.  And I've kept things I should have been tossing years ago.  I still have baby toys for Heaven's sake!

Part of it was just looking at it and thinking about how much work it will be.  How overwhelming this job will be.  Not seeing a solution.  Just seeing the mess.

Interestingly enough, this week, I'm seeing the solution.  

For most, the solution would be clear.  Sorting, tossing, donating, saving, whatever needed to be done.  I've sorted, tossed and donated before, but it rarely stays the way I want it to stay.  It can be extremely frustrating.  I get things set up in a way that makes sense to me, then less than a week later, it doesn't look like I even tried.  

Again, part of it is the sheer scale of the amount of stuff.  The other side of it, I just don't get the help to maintain the situation.  

So.  Things are changing.

Toys and books will stay upstairs or in the basement.  I don't want to see toys on my main floor.  If I pick up a toy, even an important toy, it goes in a bin.  If they want it back, they do a chore.  Earn it back.  I'm tired of picking it all up.  

Grady's favorite toys, trains, trucks, cars, that type of thing, up to the boy's room.  Olivia's room is currently torn apart, but I've made some progress with her stuff.  Logan's toys and Lego, basement.  At least I know they will have spots for their own things.  One day, they will have their own rooms.  Then the toys will be in their own rooms.  

I'm already impressed at how the kids have taken to my cubby system.  Each kid has their own little cubby in the shelf that used to house the toys in the living room, as well as Jeff and myself.  If I want my own business to be successful, I need to have myself organized, and my home as well.

I'm finding myself become apathetic to the situation.  That's one step towards being a hoarder.  If I don't have help from the kids and husband maintaining the organization, why bother?  I'm not saying Jeff doesn't help me with the house.  QUITE the contrary.  He's an amazing help with the floors, dishes, garbage, etc.  But when it comes to maintaining my organization, it just doesn't happen.  Then I lose my patience and just give up.

Now though, I see the clutter, but I SEE THE SOLUTION!  That's a huge deal!  Before, I see the problem...and then I worry about the problem.  I think of solutions, then I think of ways it won't work.  

This is awesome!  A breakthrough!!  And it feels good.  It feels good to see the positive side of it.  See how it will work, how I will manage it and how I will make sure that everyone in our home participates.  This doesn't just affect the house as a whole, but also the kids school functions and homework, it affects the amount of paper in the house and how we deal with it, it helps with my own mind and helps reduce my frustration.

The saying is true, "If Mommy isn't happy, nobody in the house is happy!"  And in our home, that is a big truth!  LOL