Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Clearing the Clutter, Inside and Out

You know, for the first time in a REALLY long time, I felt as though I actually spent a summer disconnecting…or better yet, connecting.  I kayaked, I swam, I spent time with friends, family, on my own.  I ate fresh foods, I read books (not just one but a few!).  I took an actual vacation-not just a few days here or there to make a couple of long weekends, but a real nine day vacation!  And I really just enjoyed myself, which is all that matters. 

Even though the daytime temperatures are still sweeping the 80’s here in Maine, its time to start thinking about the coming new season and the changes that autumn brings with it.  I’ve had my summer of play and I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how I’ve been slacking in many areas of my life, mostly in the organization of it.  Because I feel physically disorganized in my home, in my finances, in my filing of important paperwork, I feel mentally disorganized.  Does this make sense? Is it just me?  Its weird, but I always feel better after I vacuum.  I don’t enjoy vacuuming, but for me there is a definite link between a clear and focused mind and a clean floor.  I strangely feel better when I’ve finished, like I can move on to the next project without distraction.

Well, it’s time to literally and figuratively clean up my act. This long, Labor Day weekend will be dedicated to purging the unnecessary from my home, organizing the basement clutter, rearranging spaces for maximum potential, balancing the checkbook, updating the budget and finishing projects that have lingered for no apparent reason other than my own inability to get off my ass and finish them! The act of outward organizing will go a long way toward inward organization.  It is the inward organization that I need to get a few artsy craftsy ideas off the ground and on track.

While I work on this, please feel free to enjoy these seemingly random photos I have taken at various times over the summer: