Writing101 Day8: Expand a Comment into a Post
“This past year I took my procrastination to a whole new level and turned it into complete and utter avoidance.”
I was actually quite ambitious last fall. I made a list of some home renovation projects that I felt I could tackle during the cold winter months. My goal was “simple” – reinsulate, re-poly the basement, and apply a roll of P2000 or equivalent. My aim? To make my home more energy efficient. I would save on heating costs and, as an added bonus, I would be able to restructure the containers that are strewn about the basement floor. I knew it would be a daunting task. I broke it down into manageable sections and resolved to tackle one small space at a time. I set about, eager with my plan, and finished off the first area with a satisfied gleam in my eye.
The problem occurred when I moved on to the next section…
As I began to sort through some of the boxes, I became lost in their contents. One hour would turn four. Sentimental feelings over the trinkets that I would find would wash over me. I would smile and place the possessions back into the box.
A month passed by and I had not accomplished much. I abandoned my efforts and moved them to the main floor. I began to declutter my daughter’s room – bagging up the clothes that didn`t fit and boxing up the toys that she wasn`t playing with. When I took those upstairs, I realized there was very little room up there too.
As a new parent, I was grateful when other people donated their clothes and toys. I would hate to have to open my wallet and spend my money on anything if I could get it for free. I was reluctant to give any of those belongings away – maybe we will have another child, maybe she will want to play with this rattle for five minutes again; I can`t give that away, my sister bought it. As a stepmother of two older daughters, I was reluctant to get rid of some of the boxes of dishes and extra appliances that are downstairs. What happens if the girls need something? They might want that pot one day; they might need a four slice toaster for their bachelor pad; they might need twenty saucers.You know what? The girls live three hours away. When they needed a set of dishes, they went to Walmart and bought their own!
I came to the conclusion that I was a hoarder . My excuses were ridiculous. I was overwhelmed! I burnt my to-do-lists and enjoyed life. I ignored all of those things I didn`t accomplish. But they never left the back of my mind; they seemed to linger and quietly nag me.
At least being able to go back to the source has helped me to face it and start again. Thank you Brooke, for creating the starting point. If you would like to join our conversation as we tackle our chronic procrastination issues, please visit us there. And thanks too, to Hoarder Comes Clean, for the motto “one box at time.” It seems less overwhelming when you look at it that way.
Oh, I like “one box at a time.” I get overwhelmed by the project, sometimes. Well, a lot of the time!
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It doesn’t help that I am indecisive too. Ummm, which box should I choose? It takes 15 minutes just to get started!😉
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…and what I do is start by making a list of all the boxes to be addressed… and then put that list into a spreadsheet… and then calculate the order of priority… and then label or number or colour-code the boxes to reflect the Plan of Approach…. and then go watch Netflix and eat ice cream.
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Haha! You are hilarious! That actually sounds like a really great plan. I love multi colored sticky notes and ice cream ☺
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Plus you can further procrastinate by heading to the dollar store for labels and stickers!!!
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Love the dollar store! It’s a hoarders dream! So many useful items there, and cheap too!
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I was in there the other day. Got two cat litter scoops and a dozen chocolate bars. Welcome to my life.
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You are so funny! I know how it goes, I always end up buying craft supplies that I hardly use, chips, Pepsi. ..the list goes on. When I get to the til I am always astonished how much money I have spent!
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I know, right? As if basic arithmetic somehow shouldn’t apply when each item is only a buck.
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It’s so hard to let go, but a good purge is necessary now and then, to keep the good chi flowing freely. 🙂
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Yes, I agree! Already feeling better about it all and have made some progress over the weekend. ☺
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🙂
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One box at a time is the word, if not, one can go bonkers. Give away as much stuff as possible. It lightens up the load and makes you + someone else happy too. Good luck with the boxes 🙂
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Thank you Jacqueline! I can’t throw anything out and have started to post items on Facebook. People, I think, like free stuff and it will save me the hassle of hauling it to good will. Whatever is left, I’ll take it to the nearest goodwill. Two boxes gone!
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Good plan. Whittling it down bit by bit. Slow and steady wins the race 🙂
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One box at a time, go for it Honest 😉😉😉
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Thank you for the encouragement! Much appreciated!
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I have been hanging on to literally old stuff thinking that my kids would need them…LOL mine live in the same town…and they a few years ago set me down and said that they really love me but don’t want anything that I have…so the old way is no longer….I remember my parents giving me all sorts of stuff and I was so happy to get them….times have really changed…at that point I packed up all the stuff I thought they might want someday…and gave it to good will…when I actually looked at it I don’t think I would even want it…LOL so I no longer hang on to anything for my kids…if they want something they better dang well ask for it or it may not be here…LOL and its true one bag at a time…it will eventually be carried out….
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Too true! That is exactly what my stepdaughters said when I showed them the plates ☺Thank you for your words of encouragement Kat! I appreciate it.
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I pity the person(s) that have to go through our house when we’re gone. Daunting task indeed. The sad thing is, when I first moved in with my wife, I could move in a Jeep Cherokee…in one trip! Not so much anymore.
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That’s what my husband says too. Only he could fit his belongings in a duffel bag. lol
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I can totally relate! I am having trouble deciphering what we really need because I need the access. And it would be really great if we could find the things we put down there. Right now, it’s a maze. I would also like to install a wood furnace so I need to clear the space.
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I’ve had my eye on one of the furnaces that uses wood but is outside the house, too. $5,000 though, it’ll have to wait for now.
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We had one of those years ago, heated water lines and the lines were trenched inside. Used it until the water cavity rusted out and couldn’t hold the water any more. Good memories regarding that stove, hubby and I would go and collect the wood together, hauling out deadfall from neighbours, bondung moments in nature. We do have a wood furnace, stored elsewhere. The power was out for 16 hours once last year, made me worry and think we should be bringing the stove home.
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I hear ya. I’m just fed up with paying for propane. Or being put on allocation when they run low. I loathe winter anyway. I sure as hell don’t want to freeze in my own house. We have plenty of access to downed wood so I would never have to buy any. We have fireplaces but most of that heat goes up the chimney.
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Allocation? Crappy. I didn’t realize they could do such a thing when you use it to heat your house. We just have electric.
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Last winter was so bad across the nation that there were shortages from suppliers. We made it, but barely, through February. I HATE WINTER!!!! Sorry, just had to get that off my chest. 😃
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No need to apologize! Winter is not my favorite time either, especially February, I am usually getting stir crazy by then.
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Absolutely! Cabin fever is a bitch!!!
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I like “one box at a time.” One of my projects, and I don’t know when, is to get rid of the contents of my mothers condo that I rescued from storage before I quit talking to her. In her very passive aggressive self she decided she did not want any of it afterwards. I have the contents of someone else’s whole household in my shed and it’s been there for about 4 years. Sigh.
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Can totally understand! When my parents died, there were boxes carted here and into my mother in law’s basement. It’s difficult to deal with, brings up memories…
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