In my Home Touched business, this is the time of year when people are really devoted to getting their “stuff” in order, so it is important, as we addressed last week, to first visualize the “fishing net” or containers that you will need to get yourself started.
As a reminder, the Scripture to support CHG #7 is from Matthew 13:47-48, “…a fishing net is thrown into the
water and gathers fish of every kind.
…sit …sort …and throw the bad ones
away.”
GATHERING
In preparation to go fishing or get organized, the gathering process is essential.
Gathering is a three step
process and it always involves patience.
1. The first step in gathering is to slow down so you can look at your surroundings and gather information that tells you about what room or area to start in. Like a fisherman, you need to decide on the location that you want to fish in. If storage areas need attention, an attic, the basement, or garage, then these are the places to start in. You will then be ready for the storing of things from other areas. Once the storage areas have been addressed, you can then start with the room that will give you the greatest satisfaction in being decluttered. Sometimes it is the room that can be done in the shortest amount of time; it is encouraging to see something being completed, and it provides the motivation to press on. With someone else it might be their office because they want to get out from under the overwhelming paperwork. And for another person, it might be the play area where the pile up of toys is taking over every bit of space.
2. The second step in gathering is to still yourself so you can think about the supplies or tools that you will need to gather. This will prevent you from falling into the trap of getting scattered by running in circles and wandering what to do. It also keeps you from going back and forth to get this or that. You will need the “net,” or the bags and containers that you already have, so you can “fish” for, or gather, your smaller “stuff.” This includes grocery bags (paper or plastic), black and white trash bags, assorted clear bags (sandwich size, quart, 1 and 2 gallon), and/or unused laundry baskets or plastic containers. In addition to your containers, you will need a sharpie marker and Post-its.
3. The
third step in gathering is being
the fisherman who gathers the fish.
We will make piles, but once again, here is where the patience and slowing down are so crucial. Fishing involves very little body
movement, so sitting is very
important both symbolically and literally. From a symbolic perspective, sitting means that you stay in one
place, moving very little, and you complete your gathering in one area before you move on to the next one. If things are on the floor, then stick
to gathering the floor
items. And remember, if there is no
pathway for the feet, then you always start with the floor. If it is a counter that needs cleared,
then stay at the counter area. Seeing through with one area before
moving on to the next relates to CHG #6 and the importance of seeing
through your stuff and following through. The follow through is what keeps you from
getting overwhelmed and scattered.
Please keep in mind that the only activity you are implementing at this time is gathering. Avoid
examining or studying paper items while gathering, otherwise, you are going to get yourself side
tracked. Examining and studying is
part of the sorting process that
comes after gathering. Put all your gathered containers, or larger items, to the perimeter of the
room or in a corner to keep the floor area clean.
SORTING
Like a
fisherman, you literally want to sit
sometimes when it comes to sorting
which “fish” to keep and which ones to throw
out. There will be times when
you need to stand and move a little, but the idea is to decrease how much
you move around in order to conserve your time and energy. Sorting, like gathering, has a number of different levels. First of all, you
are going to sit on the floor or
at a table that has been cleared out.
You are then going to focus on one gathered container at a time.
Empty the container’s contents and begin to sort by putting items into “like” categories. This is where
you will begin to use the sharpie and Post-its to identify the categories
that develop as a result of your sorting.
Even though your eyes see what is
in the sorted pile, the Post-its
save a lot of time and lessen confusion, especially when there are
multiple piles. This is particularly true when it comes to doing an office
with all of its numerous supplies and various papers. You want to locate things with ease and
not frustration. Your mind will
then stay clear and your emotions will remain calm.
I want to caution you that you are still not studying or examining these initial sorted piles. Also keep in mind that there are times when it is obvious that something is trash. So there is usually a pile that immediately gets designated as “trash”- throwing out the bad.
When you have sorted all the contents of one container, start with another one. Continue to do this until all the containers have been emptied and sorted.
Here are a few examples of some very general sorted categories that have not yet been finely sorted into more specific categories, something we will address next week.
♥ Storage areas: cleaning supplies,
balls, bikes, decorations, keepsakes, photos/albums
♥ Office area: periodicals,
calendar events, coupons/gift cards, bills, school papers, notes, paper
♥ Play area: crayons, markers,
stuffed animals, dolls, kitchen, costumes, locomotion, music.
I hope this information inspires you to actually enjoy the process of getting decluttered and to embrace that one area that you have been putting off. Next week we will continue to talk about sorting and how it becomes more refined as we begin to examine and study the sorted piles.
This week your SW is to focus on getting organized. So get the fishing net that will help you to get started and begin to do some gathering and sorting.
♥ Ask the
Lord to help you choose the one living or work area that you would like to declutter.
♥ Implement the steps
that will help you get organized by gathering
and sorting.
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