Babystepping Organizer—That's Me!

(Originally published 8 February 2011)

This is the status I posted yesterday, and before changing it this morning, I wanted to immortalize this development, which for me is somewhat momentous:  “BLESSEDBEING is experiencing a mental shift: as I look at my expanding Oases of Order, I know I *am* a capable organizer, if still a babystepping one! Aaahh!”

It hasn't been that many days ago that I sent out a cry of help to members on my organizing teams because I was so overwhelmed by discouragement and despair over my disorganization, or that I sat here crying after reading the "what I cleaned" reports of teammates who were taming entire rooms and closets, while I wrested a half-square-foot of counter space at a time. It seemed like they were capable and I wasn't, they were succeeding and I wasn't, they were organizers and I wasn't.

But in the few days since launching the Babysteps Brigade, not only my actions but my internal experience have changed. Just writing down my Oases of Order and committing to maintaining them, and developing the routine of daily upkeep, is keeping me continually aware of what I have accomplished. It has increased my determination not to lose ground or allow clutter to creep back. I even find myself wanting to enhance the appearance of those oases (my OOs), like maybe a bit of vacuuming or dusting to show it off a little better!

Another cool change occurs as I'm going through parts of the apartment which have yet to be reclaimed. Instead of being overcome with heaviness, shame or despair, I'm planning: maybe I'll put that on my list next; I could carve away that little chunk there; where should those go?; I don't think I need that anymore; why don't I just take that with me?; oh that can definitely go in the trash; do I have a container that will hold those?

The outside—my physical environment—has improved a little in the last week, and I am totally proud of that fact. But the inside—how I feel as I move through my home—is *very* different and *so* much better, and I'm absolutely thrilled by that! May we all begin, and continue, to see ourselves as capable of making the changes that will help us create the lives we desire and deserve!

Blessed Be, Amanda

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