I had mentioned a few weeks ago that the kitchen renovation has made the rest of our house a disaster zone, as well. Seriously, it looks like we’ve been robbed. (We haven’t.) Our master bedroom is housing most of our plates and pots and pans. Our crock pot and canned goods are in the bathroom. (It’s just not right.) When I tell you there is no clear surface in my house right now, I do not exaggerate. I am such a visual person, and that can be a very good or a very bad thing, depending on the situation.
I just read Melissa’s new book, Make Room For What You Love, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. She reinforced why I’ve been feeling like I can hardly breathe around here lately.
For someone wired the way that I am, clutter equals crazy. For someone wired like my husband, it wouldn’t bother them in a million years. (I could actually use a little of that.) Since I’m kind of stuck until this renovation is finished, I decided to take Melissa’s advice and try to clear at least one surface that’s just for me.
Let me just share what my nightstand looked like until yesterday afternoon:
Want me to dissect this mess?
The book I’m reading, multiple notebooks I’m not using, a random toddler size 10 sandal that has lost its mate, painter’s tape, cough drops, peppermint Chap Stick (a necessity), a Starbucks gift card, a makeup bag from my 7-year-old for (early) Mother’s Day, plus a few other things. . .
Why is my nightstand a dumping ground?
I cleared this mess (and dusted) in less than ten minutes. Ten minutes to a little more sanity when I wake up in the morning and when I go to bed at night. Totally worth it.
This has been taped to the wall beside of my nightstand since we moved in. I love her sweet heart.. This makes me smile even when the rest of my room is a disaster. . .
It’s not the whole house, but it’s a start. Today, I tackle bathrooms.What can you do in 10 minutes to clear the clutter in your home? I promise it’ll make you feel (a little) better.
You can purchase your copy of Make Room For What You Love here.
Keep reading to see how other bloggers were inspired by Melissa’s book:
Eleven Gables / Craftberry Bush / At the Picket Fence / Julie Blanner / Beneath My Heart / Thrifty Decor Chick / Emily A. Clark / Reluctant Entertainer / My Sweet Savannah / Domestic Fashionista / At Home In Love / 320 Sycamore / Sunny Side Up / Happy Happy Nester / The White Buffalo Styling Co / Sweet and Simple Home / Finding Home Farms / In My Own Style / Fox Hollow Cottage / The House of Silver Lining / Infarrantly Creative / Fieldstone Hill Design / Shabby Nest / Today’s Creative Life / Sarah M. Dorsey Designs / Just A Girl / Southern Hospitality
I need to clear up the grandchildren’s bar in my kitchen. It has been at least 3 weeks since they left coloring books and papers in a big mess. I like seeing it there for a few days after they have been here but it is time to clear it up.
After we did our kitchen it seemed like we would never get through the putting back and messes everywhere but bit by bit it all got done and it all feels good now. We need to do flooring upstairs but I am just not ready for the upheaval yet. The old carpet is a happier place then tearing everything up and being in a mess again.
Us, too, Lana! We eventually need to replace the upstairs carpet and remove popcorn ceilings, but I just can’t imagine the mess it will be….
I like your ten minute plan. I do something similar when i walk into a room & see clutter. I pick a number (like 10 or 12) and say “OK put 10 things away before you do anything else”. Its a doable number and I know I can stop at 10 or whatever. But usually I just keep going until everything is put away. I am an artist and I find clutter to be visual noise even in my studio so this has become habit and it seems to work. Now I have another tool (especially if I use a timer.) Thanks and good luck with your kitchen. I can relate. I’m living in a tiny cabin, more shabby than chic, waiting for my new house to close so I’ve been living out of boxes for 3 weeks. Crazy.
Oh Emily, I can only imagine what it’s been like with your kitchen renovation. Considering I have my own starting soon, I keep saying to myself “if Emily can do it, I can do it!” So know that you’re inspiring me to push forward! I cannot wait to buy this book. I am an extremely organized person, so much that my family jokes that if I keep organizing and purging…we won’t have anything left! But, even I have some of those “drive me crazy” areas that could use some love. Hang in there with the kitchen, I know it’s going to be amazing! :)
Laurie, can I hire you?!!!!!
What a precious post, Emily! I am the same way with clutter… crazy!!! and my sweetheart is a clutter-maker. Oh bless us! Isn’t it the best?! Your bedside table looks perfect!
Oh, I totally know how you feel. We haven’t even started our remodel yet. Just ANTICIPATING it makes me twitch because we already don’t feel settled in yet from the move, just knowing the remodel would happen! I remember those days well from past remodels too and not fondly haha. :) But it’s going to be beautiful, so worth it! I love your nightstand and how you made it feel like a moment of sanity in the chaos. I love it. Thank you for being a part of this day and for sharing your space to inspire us, Emily!
This is on my nightstand, I was reading it last night! Love it so far :)
That sweet drawing from your daughter needs a frame and a permanent spot on the wall.
I LOVE the bust on your nightstand with your necklaces on it. I am going to look for one! You always provide inspiration- thanks!
My husband is like yours. Clutter doesn’t register with him. He sets things down where ever he happens to be at that moment.
Right now he’s on a trip visiting some friends. It’s like a vacation for me! All surfaces are cleared & everything is put away where it belongs. AHHH.
oh Emily! You must be going bonkers with that kitchen reno! I know I’d probably start twitching if I had a crockpot in my bathroom…lol!! Love your quick little organized makeover on your nightstand, especially that precious note. Hang in there! The kitchen will be fabulous when it’s all done and I can’t wait to see it!
xoxo
Yes–and now that I’ve thought about it, I’m not sure why I shared that our crockpot is in the bathroom. :)
This is so good. Clutter makes me crazy. And an open concept just accentuates the problem. It means I can see all of my cluttered surfaces at the same time. My dining room table is the worst. It’s where most of the clutter lands. And sure enough, as soon as I make it a point to clear the crap, it is almost instantly covered again. In new crap! Where does it all come from?! Ugh. Anyway. I love the random shoe on your nightstand. So real life. And that PRECIOUS “card” from your daughter. Gah! That’s all you need. Oh, and those GORGEOUS hydrangeas!
You sound just like me :)
:)