Spaces Simplified, part 2

Last week, I shared the beginning of a story that has truly impacted my everyday life on multiple levels. Here is the continuation of this inspiring tale.

So the time came. As I saw her pull up in her sweet Camry wagon, with a sticker I could appreciate, I felt an instant connection. She got out of the car and my dog, who knows no stranger (except maybe the mailman), instantly took a liking to her. Her warm smile and endearing features kept me relaxed and at ease. She came in, we sat down, and we began talking. Our conversation seemed to flow like it were scripted, yet felt more real than many of my first-time meetings with people.

We began the interview process and I found myself trying to lead, since I’m usually the one interviewing, so I slowed down and let her do her job. Jane asked me my goals and I shared that I really was not sure. We continued to talk and I felt like we had been best friends forever. I was letting her into a very personal, sacred place for me: my home. We discussed some personal details and moved into a tour of my home. Along the way, I felt the desire to justify my home’s appearance, but she thought it was quite lovely. Funny.

As we walked around the house, she began to see more of my family and how important my husband, little girl, and dog are in my life. Her spirit was so amazing. She had an amazing perspective on the home and it came through as she spoke so eloquently about life.

We proceeded back to the living room, where we continued with some more questions. At one point she said, “Things we have have a real aliveness about them… we associate things with them and they speak those things back to us.” It struck me. She asked me to identify some things that speak nicely to me and some that do not speak so nicely. She suggested I get rid of things that do not send me positive messages (or items that every time I look at them I say things like, “UUGGHH! I cannot stand that!”). A few items immediately stood out and I knew what had to go.

After more than half an hour of discussion, getting to know one another, talking about CoolMomsCare, and sharing parts of our own stories, we both felt the pull that my office was the room we wanted to work with. I spend at least two hours in there each morning for personal time, and have wanted it to be my work room but feel frustrated every time I enter. It was clear: my office was in need of simplification and change.

I felt ecstatic (and this was just the consultation!).

Before Jane left, I was given a few assignments to do before she returned in a few weeks to really get down to work.
1. Get rid of items that were sending me unpleasant messages.
2. Put the crib (that my little girl has been out of for months) into the attic.
3. Possibly consider designating this room specifically as my space.
4. Consider the need for a sitting area for when people come to visit.

After she left, I felt like I immediately had to work, so I moved all of my little one’s things into her room, reorganized all her toys, moved the rocker (that has not been used since my little girl was an infant) into the office, and began to start doing other things. Once again, I saw my hypervigilance and slowed down, took a break, and waited for the return of my guide to simplicity.

My Office BEFORE

Tip #2: Anything that sends you a negative message should be considered for donation or trash (if needed).

Stay tuned… next week, I will unveil the transformation after our second meeting and reveal the growth, change, and simplification of my life (and see the AFTER pictures, to date).

Spaces Simplified, de-cluttering + organizing + staging
creating a better world, one space at a time

In The Series

Spaces Simplified, part 1