There’s stuff everywhere.
I’m not sure how it all accumulated, but it did.
And I am the mother of a three year old. And a four year old. And a six year old. And I have a husband. And I have a big, happy yellow lab that sheds like a banshee – no, I’m not sure if banshees shed a lot, come to think of it, I don’t even know what a banshee is, but it’s what came to my cluttered mind.
Said three year old likes to “explore” and reorganize to his heart’s content.
Yesterday, I found a pair of his shorts in our linen closet. Days before, his toothbrush was in his underwear drawer.
Clutter drives me mad. Visual peace does wonders for my soul – if too much stuff is sitting around on my kitchen counters, my blood pressure begins to rise and I get snappy.
It has nothing to do with me wanting you to think I’m perfect. I surrendered that one a long time ago.
But it does have everything to do with my own mental health and as my husband loves to reiterate, “If mama ain’t happy ain’t nobody happy.”
I used to roll my eyes at this but I really do think there MIGHT be some truth to this statement.
When we moved into our home four years ago, I had my second child ten days later. Boxes were shoved into the attic and garage and when vowed to get to it when we get to it. In the meantime, I haphazardly organized linens, kids’ rooms, and other areas as well as I could considering I was bigger than a house.
Did I mention that sweet baby number two, our precious Samuel, decided to arrive three weeks early. I needed that time but yes, I was overjoyed to see him.
When he was six months old and I began to think that I might be able to purge and put away, I felt like I had the flu.
It wasn’t the flu. It was Spencer. The only kind of flu I’ve ever loved with an intense passion.
And so it goes.
But for the first time in six years, I have a little bit of time ALONE in my house due to preschool and first grade schedules. I praise you Jesus.
I am going to take a bit of a blog break and focus on nothing but doing the things around my house that I’ve been wanting to do for the better part of four years.
I started this morning and as I was throwing out food in our deep freezer that was, ahem, two years quite old, I realized that maybe God’s using this as a metaphor for what He’s calling me to do next – clear out some clutter in my soul. Get rid of the stuff that’s no longer good, stuff that’s well past it’s expiration date. Stuff that needs to be thrown away.
Stuff that doesn’t serve a purpose. Stuff I’ve outgrown. Stuff I once liked but now I don’t.
So I’m not completely sure when the stuff in my house will be at a point where I feel like I can breathe but when I take that first peaceful inhale and release it with the feeling of cleared cobwebs, I’ll be back.
To new beginnings. A new blog layout. A new domain. Coming soon.
Thank you, dear friends, for taking a moment to read what I have to say over the past two years. I’m humbled and honored that you would do so. I am not the best Twitterer (if you follow me, you know this) and I’m not so good at Instagram and while I adore Pinterest, I don’t spend a ton of time there. My relationship with those in the online world are not where I want them to be but you read anyway.
And I thank with a gratitude that warms my usually ice-cold feet.
You all bless me more than you know.
Nat,
I love this. This is so me. Actually I wrote on this very subject a little over a year ago for our news letter. Same thing…I felt as I was clearing away clutter, getting ready for a garage sale no less, and God began to speak to me and say…”Get rid of the clutter in your heart”. I love how He speaks to us using every day things. He is so good to remind us of what is really important. Visual Peace yes (oh how I love it)…but heart peace a must!
Have a good time de-cluttering and organizing. I’ll be dreaming I am doing the same!
Beautifully said! My house is in such disarray right now I cannot stand it. In my mission to declutter the basement and playroom, I made a bigger mess of piles to put in a garage sale that hasn’t happened yet. Part of me says there is money sitting there to be made, but I think a bigger part of me just wants to be rid of it, money or not.
Enjoy your break, and refresh yourself in His Word as you purge what is not needed.
There’s a great freedom in what you write here and I’m so thankful to have checked back in at a time like this. The de-cluttering so important for all of us…BLESS YOU!!!! And may there be great clarity and peace in this time:}
I’m there with you girl. We’re moving in three weeks and I am getting close to the house size of the pregnancy. We decided that we are not moving anything that goes in a clutter pile. We have some big bags for trash and I refuse to let it go. I started watching Clean House and Hoarders while I am packing to give me fuel for what I know I need to do. Thank God for inspiration! Bless you as you de-clutter. ~Jessica
Um….that had better NOT be some weird twisted way to say that you’re going to stop blogging. I mean it…I HAVE your phone number…I WILL call you! Just kidding…I know that any decisions you make are bathed in prayer. Hoping that God clearly gives you direction as you “hoe out” the junk and organize for the future!! ))HUGS((
I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
I so know that clutter feeling! Good luck with your task of decluttering your house and your heart! See you when you get back!
I’m a new reader, and I don’t think I’ve ever commented, but I wanted to tell you how much I understand that need to de-clutter. It’s where I am too. In a few weeks we’ll move from a teeny-tiny apartment into our new house, and all our stuff will be moved out of storage. We haven’t seen any of it in over 4 months! I know they’ll be lots of clutter for a while. But, dare I say, I can’t wait to go through it and purge. I’m praying that along with the purging of household items/clothing will also come the purging of emotional and spiritual clutter.
Still laughing about the toothbrush in the drawer. :) I’ve been cleaning clutter these last two weeks in our home, and yeah … it’s been, um, interesting. :)
Hey! I saw this link on your e-mail and had to check out your blog–how cool. I love it!
Looking forward to hearing from you again. Less clutter in many areas of my life would be a good thing. Blessings to you!
As I was typing away at an SDG email, I realized that I had been missing you. Came over to see what you have been up to and I think it’s awesome. Can’t wait to see what comes out of this process!
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