Making Room for the New

October 27, 2014



One of my goals for this year was to deep clean and organize every room in my house. I’m not sure I’m going to finish the whole house this year, but as I’ve purged and cleaned, painted and organized, donated and sold, I’ve made visible progress through my home. I’m doing this not just because I want my home to be in order, but also because I’m ready to live in a simpler, less cluttered and fussy way. And after nearly 18 years in this house, it’s time for some updating.

Even though in general I love my life and its routines, I feel ready for some freshening up. In a couple of weeks I will have been writing this blog for five years. In that time, I’ve seen my freelance work slow to a trickle, then dry up completely. I’ve battled writer’s block and depression, experimented with writing and submitting essays, applied for a job at the library as well as numerous writing jobs. I’ve come up with several ideas for writing and editing businesses, but I haven’t found anything that sticks yet.


Perhaps I’m getting ahead of myself. Perhaps I need to have less before I can have more. I’d like to think all this decluttering serves a purpose larger than just having my home look neater. I choose to think that getting rid of what no longer serves me makes room for the new. And I’m not talking about new things. Perhaps, less burdened by too much and too many (things and thoughts), the inside of my head will be a bit neater as well. For now, I’m focused on getting rid of.

I’m not sure what that something new I’m making room for looks like. I have to have faith that if I do make room, if I do simplify and purge and organize, then I’ll be ready when my opportunities come, when everyday adventure knocks on my door.

What would you like to get rid of? Add? How do you make room for the new?

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4 comments

  1. Dear Kathy - I am sure the new will come in when you are ready for it. Amazing how when one ages a bit in the body the mind matures and knows that less is really more. Now I must go declutter one of my closets. You have inspired me! Thank you.

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  2. Debbie--I've definitely reached the age/stage where less is more. Hope the decluttering went well :).

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  3. Kathy, how I love the way you write about life's processes. I see letting go of stuff & extra complexity as being in the present moment, cleansing & freeing. For me, it opens space for the new & that seems to come it its own time. I don't always know what the new will be I did a big cleansing because I moved, after 26 years. But I am now still trying to get to some more "deep cleansing" & organizing of stuff that seems weighty. I love the act of letting go because part of it is really looking at & reflecting on the stuff & parts of my life that can be so dormant & buried in their stacks & their drawers...Thank you, as always, Rita

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  4. Thank you for your kind comments, Rita. I think cleansing and and letting go are processes we must revisit from time to time, to see if what we have and do still serves us and others. I wish you well in your process!

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