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What makes you cranky?
The minutes ticked by. The “on-hold” music played on and on in an endless, repetitive loop. I waited patiently at first. However, the promised 2-minute wait time turned into 10 or 15. As the minutes ticked by, I gritted my teeth with impatience, irritated by the lack of customer service and the waste of my precious time. Finally, a representative answered, only to be told they needed to transfer me to another department. And so, the wait time and hold music began again. This particular call was to resolve an issue with a bank. Over and over again, I had to repeat the same story and explanation, only to be transferred…
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Spring is here! Does that mean it’s time to declutter?
Spring is here! Does that mean it’s time to declutter? And, ready or not, along with the spring season, comes the expectation and tradition to spring clean. Many of us are more than ready after the long months of winter. Our homes have been closed up for far too long and now feel stagnant and airless. The long-awaited time has arrived when we can open the windows and doors of our homes, let in the fresh air and sunshine of springtime, and sweep out the dustiness of winter. The outside world is alive with the richness of spring. The flowers and trees are in blossom, and the warming tendrils of…
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What if it is you who is stopping you?
What if it is you who is stopping you? It was early in the morning, still dark outside. Sunrise was not due for several hours. It’s my favorite time of day before most of the world is awake—the quiet blankets me in peacefulness and calm. This day was full of promise, with the April Pink Full Moon shining brightly in the sky, illuminating all below it. It brought the promise of beautiful blossoming pink flowers announcing Spring and the release of old wounds and restricted feelings and patterns. On this morning of the full moon, I listened to Toploader’s song Dancing in the Moonlight. It made me want to…
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Are you getting sucked in?
Where are you getting sucked in? I want pizza. Two minutes ago, I wasn’t even thinking about pizza, yet now I want it. I desperately must have it. I can taste it—my mouth waters. The deliciousness of it is so real. The thick crust, oozy melting cheese, and the chewy juicy meat on top. Oh, especially pepperoni! Is it too late to have pizza? What time is it? Can I still get pizza? Where will I get it? Do I have the makings of it in my kitchen? I must have it now! But wait, my reasonable, rational side of me argues back! You don’t eat pizza anymore. Remember, you…
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It takes courage – and big deep breaths!
It takes courage … and a big deep breath! The mountain seemed massive and steep. The summit, the peak I wished to reach, was far off in the distance. There were no switchbacks to make the climb easier. It appeared to be an endless uphill climb. I hadn’t prepared or trained for this climb, let alone be able to reach the ultimate peak—the peak I truly wanted to reach. It made me sweaty, gasping for breath with my heart pounding a mile a minute. I almost gave up before I began. Who was I kidding? But then I reminded myself I’ve done this before and made it to the top.…
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Is it time to come out of hiding?
Come out of hiding Tuesday! What did I do over the weekend? I let go of and donated my old life. Say what? Yes! The old Joan who hasn’t lived that life for years, decades even. Where was she hidden? In the back of a closet, a deep closet, hidden in the dark, out of the way. An old life that no longer existed. The life I lived well. In the dark, hidden were business suits, the outfit I wore to my daughter’s wedding, my college graduation gown from 1985, and a fancy cocktail dress. Three suits I couldn’t bear to part with … Expensive, beautifully tailored suits. Classic. Oh, they were…
- Cherished Items, Decluttering, Journey, Letting go, Musings, Simplifying, Storage Space, Tidying, Triggers
Are you frozen in overwhelm?
Are you frozen in overwhelm? Oh no! You’ve got to be kidding. Another box? How is it possible there’s yet another box? I thought I’d handled all of them, yet there it was on the shelf. A shelf that usually doesn’t store this sort of thing. How did it end up there? It must have gotten shoved in whatever open space was available just to get it out of the way – not to mention out of mind. In this case, it had been out of my mind for two years! What box is this for which I refer? A “hidden” box that went unnoticed and forgotten since my Mom…
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Do you set yourself up for disappointment?
Do you set yourself up for disappointment? I had everything ready. The box was a perfect size with a blanket inside. I had planned it all with great expectation and convinced myself that what I wished and asked for would come true. After all, hadn’t I asked Santa for it? Early Christmas morning, I raced downstairs with great anticipation, no longer able to contain my excitement. I was sure Santa had granted my deepest wish, only to find that he had not given me what I most wanted for Christmas. Plenty of packages were under the tree, and my Christmas stocking was overflowing with lots of goodies. Yet, my heart…
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Do you treat every day like a holiday?
Do you treat every day like a holiday? Sounds like a beautiful idea, doesn’t it, to have every day be like a holiday? Who doesn’t want every day full of delight, joy, and wonder? After all, it would undoubtedly include delicious food, beautiful decor, rich colors, loved ones’ gathered, rituals, gifts, favorite movies, and games. With all these delightful things, who wouldn’t love a daily holiday? I asked my husband what he thought it would mean if every day was like a holiday. He replied, “Sounds like it could end up with overeating every day, excess consumption of stuff, and unmet expectations!” Suddenly the idea of every…
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Are you ready to tidy up your diet?
Are you ready to tidy up your diet? I certainly was. And yet… Are you ready to give up cheese? She asked. Who me? Give up cheese. You’ve got to be kidding. Doesn’t she realize I’m a born and bred Wisconsin girl, the meat and dairy state? Cheese is like my lifeblood, a way of life; it was in almost everything I ate. Surely she was kidding. Hadn’t I already given up so many other things? I no longer ate gluten, drank milk, or ate ice cream or corn. I even gave up two of my favorite foods – bread and crackers. Two items I thought I’d never give up.…
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