[Sabrina]

I've placed this here because I really don't know where else to put it. Thought of anxiety forum - but I'm not anxious at present.

I have just spent hours completely stripping hubby's and my wardrobes. Hubby's stuff is packed back, folded and very neat. (Not for long ). His wardrobe was a state because he pulls a T-shirt from the bottom of the pile without picking up the T-shirts above it and just lets everything fall - you get the picture.

Mine was somewhat neat, but packed to the brim with clothes I don't wear, and certainly no longer fit into. It was a little hard at times, but I was pretty ruthless and have made two huge black bags for donation. And another black bag of shoes. Also lots of make-up and toiletries.

I was (and shouldn't have been) rather surprised to see how much dust (and hair) had accumulated in the wardrobes.

I feel great! I can't wait to see hubby's reaction. This was an exercise that was looong overdue. No clutter in those wardrobes .... and that totally calms me.

[lizardlady]

Good for you Sabrina! It's so rewarding when accomplishing a big task like that.

[Sabrina]

Now I'm going to tackle one small area a week (in between the constant housework and office work). Next week will be the pots and pans cupboard, the week after on top of the fridges and so on - until there will be nothing left to do

[kindachaotic]

Way to go! Truly an accomplishment in your summer heat.

[Sabrina]

Originally Posted by kindachaotic

Way to go! Truly an accomplishment in your summer heat.

Oh yes - that too! Luckily today has been significantly cooler!

[splitimage]

Way to go. That's a big accomplishment.

splitimage

[avlady]

i only wish i had that kind of energy!!!!

Good for you!

I do the same thing, even though it might not "need" doing. It gives me a small sense of control over one thing in my life.

This is a real accomplishment. We are all very proud of you.

I think you probably also find this to an extent therapeutic - the act of clearing and letting go.

[eskielover]

Good job!!!!!!! Good you can do that work in the summer. I save that work for winter when most of the spiders are dead or at least gone especially the cupboard work.

That is a huge job you are doing..good to do it every few years...you have been in your home about 2 years now. I look at the mess here & many times just say "tomorrow". You are definitely inspirational.

[Sabrina]

I've always been a neat and tidy person, and I've always cleaned but something waned over the years of my alcoholism. And I let things go. Now, six months into my sobriety, I am finding an energy I didn't know I had.

I sorted out a great deal more stuff today. From 20 pairs of socks with holes, I'm down to 6 good pairs of socks. Then I did the ironing (difficult as heat is back), but Thursday is my ironing day. After lunch I settled to watch a movie, ordinarily no problem for me, but quickly found myself sorting out the remote control basket and cleaning all the remotes with an earbud. Then I paused the movie and got stuck into my office drawers.

I find myself looking at everything and feeling the need to do it all! This is the weirdest burst of enthusiasm for clean and neat that I wonder if I've ever had.

Oh yes ........... I didn't get quite the reaction from hubby that I would have liked He opened the wardrobe this morning and uttered "what the hell". I smiled. Next he says "did you throw any of my stuff away?" I say, "no love". Silence. Then barely audible, I heard a "thanks". He did try very hard not to topple the pile of T-shirts when he took one out.

[eskielover]

I actually love those bursts of energy....how exciting, another wonderful side effect from giving up the alcohol.

Lol......loved your account of your H's reaction....at least it ended with a quiet "thank you" & more care taking out the shirt from the ones remaining though without them packed in they would have probably all have landed on the floor making more work for him.

Sometimes for me with so many things needing done I don't know where to start & I make a huge mess before it comes together into organization.

I have 2 totally wrinkled shirts I'm too lazy yo fight with. Piled sheets in my bedroom last December wash...so wrinkled I brought my iron into my bedroom & ironed them on my bed...that worked well..folded & put in the box with others & got sheets changed & washed on my bed....ugh...sheets are all fur lined with thick white eskie dog fur....have to de-fur everything before washing...extra work....but wouldn't trade not having them as my bed buddies.

I can totally appreciate all the work you are doing & all the energy it's taking....you are doing an amazing job.... it feels good to feel that good doesn't it?

[Chyialee]

Oh Sabrina, that's amazing!
Um, can I borrow you in a few weeks? I have a whole house to do in Iowa! lol (yikes)

Love those surges of purposeful energy, and oh wow the feeling of supreme accomp;ishment after finishing a big task...wheee, there's nothing like it!
Prooud of you
xo Chyia, lol @ your dh

[Sabrina]

Oh boy! Please don't thing I'm bragging - but I'm just so terribly chuffed with myself.

Today, after regular housework, I tackled the broom cupboard and the grocery cupboard. Now the grocery cupboard ... I filled a black bag with expired items. Moths get into that cupboard too and there were a few sealed (how do they do that) packets that had to be thrown away. I found a packet of those teeny tiny pasta shapes for soup, that was looong expired so I decided to chuck it. And promptly dropped it. The packet burst. I reckon a whole lot of those teeny tiny shapes are now under the freezer! The grocery cupboard does look decidedly emptier now. It makes it so much simpler!

And I sang and sang while I was busy!

Brilliant!

[BlueEyedMama]

Way to go!!! I need to feed off your mojo and begin decluttering my house so that I can begin packing for our move in a few months. I like your idea of working on one project per week and think that I will try doing the same thing. Good on you!! Keep up the good work!

[Sabrina]

My burst continues. I tackled some more cupboards in the kitchen and kitchen is now complete!

Today, I got stuck into the outside, sort of like a "patio" section where hubby does all his work and where we socialize. I've always pretty much left the outside as I kind of reckoned that since I keep the inside clean, the boys can do the outside. But they weren't. There must of been a year's worth of dead grass and dust all over and in corners. That was a very good workout!! I neatened hubby's tools on the (beautiful) wooden table that he built but pretty much left his stuff.

I decided I would be incredibly p*ssed if he doesn't notice!

Well!

He came home a little while ago and didn't notice!

Gah! There's a huge difference.

Anyway, all I have left now is the linen cupboard and then it's back to office work to wrap up financial year end. Oh yes, and while it's hot I want to wash all the curtains.