As a part of my journey back into the world of the living, I have finally realized that I need to start to feed my need for control and do something about the clutter in my home in hopes it will inspire me to clear out the cobwebs in my head.

For the first Saturday morning that I can remember in months, I managed to get myself up and moving after enjoying a few cups of my morning coffee and for some reason didn't feel dread about the work I knew I would endure for the day. 

I mustered up the courage to take on the mountains of boxes still piled up in our extra bedroom. I knew for the most part it was going to end up in the donation pile and for the first time I managed to go through the boxes and make quick decisions about what stays and what would go. It felt good letting go of things that I always thought were nice but didn't have room for in the new house and hadn't even looked at in months. I decided I would take a methodical approach to making my decisions. If it was old but had sentimental value it stayed. If it was anything else whether nice or not that did not spark any emotion, it went back into the box for donation. After a short while I joyfully watched my husband load box after box into our truck to be taken away. Finally I was lightening my load. I am starting to believe that it is more than just about the cleaning. It's about letting go of things that bring you no joy and making room in your heart and your home for those things that do.

Because of chores around the house today and the fact that it was so cold outside the lake was frozen I decided to forget about my walk around the track and use up that energy getting things done while I worked to square away my living space. 

My husband and I spent some fun time today in the car and in and out of stores shopping for furniture. We joked and talked about silly things and ok try not to judge me here.... we had a great time watching the lines of people pull up to get their vehicles loaded with furniture. It wasn't like we were taking any pleasure in what could of been a bad day for them when they realized that the 6 foot couch was never going to fit into their van. We couldn't help but chuckle every time they would call another customer to pick up their purchase and the vehicles seemed to get smaller and the merchandise boxes larger with every customer. We had time to spend while we waited and it turned into one of those spontaneous moments where you just laugh and hold your breath while you watch the oversized boxes get pushed into what appeared to be too small of a space. I am happy to report that we were pleasantly surprised that each and every package somehow fit into their designated spot in each vehicle. 

It was during this time that I started to realize that living life isn't always about those BIG moments. Sometimes they are the most simple things that if you aren't paying attention you forget to be grateful for. The time I spent hanging out with my husband both at home and while getting out of the house were priceless to me. 

I didn't climb a mountain, run a marathon, go dancing or anything "special" today but at the end of the day I did get out there and live. 

Tomorrow is the first of what I hope to be many "Sunday Dinners" at our new home with our extended family. Nothing special about it other than putting the time aside to enjoy each other. I'm trying hard not to have too high of an expectation for how it will go but I am optimistic that we will in fact have a great time!

Lesson for the day: Clearing out your physical baggage not only makes room for more space in your house, it takes some of the burden off of your spirit and lightens your heart. I also learned that time spent with those that you love regardless of what you are doing can bring much joy. This also helps with that emotional baggage that I have been fighting for far too long now. Live your life like every day matters because it does! Get out and enjoy those around you and never stop looking for the good in life even when it doesn't "seem" too exciting!

 

Until next time!

Laura D.