It went like this: I was looking for something in the kitchen, maybe something for school, and in a last ditch effort I searched a cluttered pile of paper I keep near the phone. I knew it whatever I was looking for wouldn’t be in there because I have a vague idea of the age and contents of that pile, but I went through it just in case.
What I needed wasn’t in the pile, but it occurred to me that cleaning that small mess would take me no more than 15 minutes, if that. Then I moved onto something else.
A couple of days later, I couldn’t find my baking powder. The pantry has devolved into a tumble of dried goods now that Nico is tall enough to pilfer the shelves for granola bars he is sure I’m hiding from him. When I finally found the baking powder behind the cereal, it occurred to me that cleaning that small mess would take me no more than 15 minutes, it that. Then I moved onto something else.
The same thing happened when I received a low grade alert notice via email for Mikey. I had to scramble through my pile of tests and homework for this year to prove the error because I haven’t yet cleared out the tests and homework from last year.
Little things seem like nothing, but they give peace, like those meadow flowers which individually seem odorless but all together perfume the air.
—Georges Bernanos
The other day I posted on Facebook that I came up with a way to still do William Morris Projects for the month of October without spending much money or taking much time. This is it. I’m tackling all those little things that I normally put to the side because they aren’t squeaky wheels crying for grease. They’re also the jobs I wouldn’t blog about because they are so small and inconsequential.
In blogging, it can be tough to put yourself out there and share small and inconsequential. It doesn’t sell. It can seem like navel gazing. It can be really boring.
But it’s also real life, and in an environment where dressing your child in Carter’s can feel like a sin and you can’t make a damn cupcake without 22 flavor profiles and freaking “bourbon drizzle,” a little reality check might be due. About 2% of what I do in real life is Pinterest worthy. Gird your loins, Internet, because you’re getting the other 98% over the next 31 days. And I might not even do all 31 days because I’m not going to put pressure on myself. Please, please, please do not expect anything fancy or revolutionary. I’m merely doing the little projects I’ve let slip by the last few months. Just your regular, everyday household clutter. Nothing exciting!
Have I inspired you and made you feel welcome, yet?
When I shared this plan, Shannon had some questions about my process. I told her to let it rip.
- Did you plan out all your projects in advance or just look around at what you thought you needed to do next?
- How do you keep the rest of the things going when you are in the midst of a WM project?
- Do you have a WM uniform of sorts for being in project mode?
- How much of your family’s input did you see in the projects – especially the decluttering or where things were assigned to live (my DH and I aren’t really on the same page about where some things should live)?
- Do you shop for project materials here and there or only when you were ready to actually start?
- Have you regretted getting rid of anything?
- Have you found any of your systems too hard to maintain?
- Did you have a set day(s) you worked on WM projects so that your life wasn’t just decluttering?
- Where do you find inspiration for your home/organizing? (I see no chevron in your house so I’m guessing not Pinterest!)
- If you did plan your projects, do you keep in them in a spreadsheet/planner to keep on track?
For the most part, I don’t plan. Something big, like the laundry room, is always the result of a plan just because of the money a larger project requires. The other stuff, like cleaning out my purse or purging toddler utensils, is a result of day-to-day living. I’ll stumble upon something (much like I talked about above) and inspiration hits. This lackadaisical approach is why I’m not a big-time blogger, by the way.
The 31 day series did require some planning. The first time I did it was crazy, so the second time I tried to roughly sketch out some potential projects for the week using my list as a guide.
I’m assuming you mean school, homework, dinner, sports, social activities? I’ll answer this in three parts.
One, I have a very helpful husband. He’s a true partner. He travels a lot now, but when he is here I know he will clean the kitchen if I cook dinner. He’ll do the laundry if I put it away. Not everything is perfectly 50/50. Instead, we focus on our strengths. He will cook only if absolutely necessary, and I will probably never mow the lawn. Some of this I see changing now that he is gone so often, but for now this is what we do. Interesting trivia: these are all “house rules” we set up during our pre-marriage counseling sessions required by the Catholic church! During our Engagement Retreat we had to plan out who was going to cook, do what chores, pay the bills, etc. It was a lot of work (and so boring) at the time, but I’m glad we did it. This is a long way of saying that I’m not the only one keeping everything going.
Two, we are quiet, low-key people. Total homebodies. It’s easy to keep up when you don’t go out. You think I’m exaggerating, but ask Andrea. My husband and I are total recluses.
Three, contained chaos. If I’m working on purging the boys closets, for example, I keep the mess to one area and I’m conscious of the time I have to spend. I make a schedule if it’s a big project (like the closet) and factor in clean up time. If it’s a small project, I work fast. We all work fast because it never takes as long as you think it will.
Sweats, a t-shirt, and a sports bra because the twins are huge and hurt my back. This year I’ve just been using my walking outfit and do projects before or after a walk to save on laundry. I’m horribly practical like that.
My family gives me very little input. Honestly, my husband doesn’t care. This is one of those we focus on our strengths v. 50/50 situations. His input is along the lines of “just tell me where I’m supposed to put the glasses.” His only request is that I not go near his closet, and that’s because he knows I’ll toss 75% of the contents into the donation pile.
I allowed the boys very little input when it came to purging their toys the first time around and it went smooth as silk. The second time they were home and caught wind of what I was doing. What could have been a 2 hour project turned into days of agony. Nico is a pack rat. Even old underwear has meaning to him. Tip: don’t ever declutter toys with your kids.
Only when I am ready to start, and that’s because I don’t plan and because I don’t have the budget to allow me to stockpile. Also, that kind of shopping can get you in trouble. Buy when you need something and you run less risk of buying something you’ll never use. The only exception to this was last year’s 31 days. I bought a bathroom rug for the yellow bathroom that I never even blogged about!
Not once!
Yes. Those systems that involve the boys have been the hardest to keep up. I’ve had to refine a few systems and completely revamp a few others. In fact, I’m blogging a complete revamp this week for Wayfair.
For the 31 day series, I did projects every day and blogged every day. This month, because the projects are so simple, I’ll be able to do a couple each day–I hope. Those days will probably be M/T/W. If I don’t manage to double up on projects, I’ll have to skip a post.
This question made me laugh out loud! No, there is no chevron in my home. The older I get, the less I appreciate trends. You can’t keep up, so I don’t even try. I prefer a traditional, classic look. Not very popular and downright stuffy, I know, but I won’t be struggling to sell a grip of neon on Craiglist next year, either.
As for inspiration, I see lots of ideas on Pinterest I like! I just adapt them to suit my practical ways. For example, remember the Lego storage I did for the boys? That was loosely based on I Heart Organizing’s Lego storage idea. I knew a team of crafters couldn’t get me to cut out color-coded letters and modge-podge them to another piece of furniture, so I looked for something clear that stacked and would fit in the one cabinet I planned for their room. My projects are the Uncle Knit Knots version of what you see on Pinterest.
When I do plan my projects, like for last year’s 31 Days, I write it down on a paper month-at-a-glance calendar or a to-do list on a 8.5×11 piece of paper.
I hope that answers your questions, Shannon! Let me know if I misread something or if my answers trigger any more questions. (That’s directed to everyone.)
Funny how parents speak a different language to non-parents (Uncle Knit Knot?). Love that you don’t chase trends. Having my Grandmother’s furniture was expensive. For one, I bought it from her and then a few years later I doubled my investment by having most of it re-upholstered. However, I’ve had it now for 34 years and never been the least tempted to replace it. I’ve no idea how often other people replace their furniture, but I’m pretty sure I’ve come out ahead on the deal. Not to mention that I love it. Will look forward to whatever you post, as I’m sure it will be amusing and insightful – no pressure
:-> .
I really enjoyed this post and your thorough answers to Shannon’s questions. (great questions, btw) It really does help to see others’ thought processes, so that when I’m stuck on what to do or how to proceed, I have some guidelines to help me out. You’re right; sometimes, the big projects are exciting, but it’s those little catchall piles and jumbled drawers that affect our daily lives the most. I will be following along this month of William Morris with my own list of piles that I conveniently ignore on a regular basis.
The first project I did, which I will post tomorrow, makes me feel SO GOOD every time I walk through the kitchen door and see it.
We’ve had the same bedroom set since we got marriage. Cherry, sleigh bed, everything matches. Totally out of style to have cherry, a sleigh bed, or anything that matches. Don’t care. ;)
For a while I didn’t like it because it was so out of style, but I’m over it. I actually like it now because it’s out of style. I feel it’s a classic look that will last forever because we paid good money for it 14 years ago thinking it was going to last the life of our marriage.
Shannon had some great questions. My hat is off to her.
I like this William Morris Project. It definitely fits where I am, lately. Chipping away at the mess one pile at at time. I think there is a lot of value in taking care of the small things. Those are the things that can make all of the difference.
They really do add up and bring a huge sense of peace. That’s what I’m hoping I’ll see at the end of the month. With my husband gone so much, I really need to be tip-top organized.
When I clean out my purse (not often enough) I feel so good – organized, on top of things, lighter (mentally AND physically) and you’re right – it never takes more than 15 minutes.
OK – the real reason I got it done this past weekend is that I was watching Fringe, which I am completely hooked on and which I am pretty sure is your fault. :)
Looking forward to this series as I know you will approach it in your usual thoughtful (as in thought-full) way and will write about it in your usual entertaining and insightful way. BTW, bourbon drizzle? Why would you waste that on a cupcake. Just give me a bowl and a spoon. :)
Ooooh! I’m so glad you decided to do some WM for 31 days and what a perfect project!! I started to say I don’t know anyone who has those piles but in fact, I do. She says her secret is that if something can be completed in less than 5 minutes, she just does it when she thinks of it. I call her Mary (Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way). She’s one of my best friends but I think she’s crazy.
One clutter pile and disorganized drawer at a time? Now you’re speaking my language! As I type, I have a shelf in the office closet staring me down that’s piled with tissue paper & gift bags and printer paper. That might just be on today’s To Do list.
My loins are girded…which now that I type it sounds really creepy.
I might join in on the fun this month. Seeing as I purged about half of what I already owned before we moved this summer, I may not be doing too much of that. However, I have a bunch of small projects around the new apartment I’ve been putting off, so I guess I should get off my lazy butt and get to it!
Jules, THANK YOU !!!!!! Who would have thought that bourbon drizzle and Uncle Knit-Knots would have made sense together in the same blog post, but you pulled it off! I really appreciate you answering the questions I peppered you with. I just have to wrap my head around getting the little things done that ultimately do take up more of my time & energy (piles of papers with no home or homes that are too complicated to get to!) I can’t wait to see what you have in store this year.
I read your post this morning, and then saw this story on CNN right afterward:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/01/health/lighten-life/index.html?hpt=hp_bn13
How appropriate! I can definitely be on board with this – I have plenty of those little piles all over the house…
I like organizing and seeing other people organize. I’m totally into seeing little, “boring” projects. I don’t have a blog, so I don’t relate when I read bloggers’ worry over whether something is too small or too mundane to post. I like to see all the little updates. I have a hard time believing I’m in the minority. But then again I do know that some blog-readers have a lot to say, and often not in a very nice way. I don’t think I would be willing to endure that…
What am I saying? I look forward to seeing you clear up a pile of paper. I have piles of paper I’ve been avoiding clearing up for more than a year. More than two. I’ll live vicariously victoriously over your piles of paper!
x0
I have a six-month-old and lately I’ve been feeling like I’ll never accomplish anything again ever in my whole life, but I feel like maybe I could do 15 minutes a day. I think I’ll give it a try this month. Thanks Jules – your blog is one of the best out there, imho. Keep up the great work!
I love this because even if I had the time to commit to a William Morris project on a large scale, I certainly don’t have the money right now :) I’m pretty new to this game but your organization of your toddler utensils motivated me to do the same. Maybe I’ll just follow along and do whatever you do each day….God knows I have piles of paper everywhere in what should be a paper free household. I have stacks of coupon inserts from the newspaper sitting all over. Ones I will never, ever use because I never, ever remember to clip them (nor do I shop at pharmacies very often). As always, thanks for sharing.
Actually, yes, you have inspired me! I love these kind of projects, because they really make a difference in day to day living. Will follow along with you – I have so many little things I need to tackle! Think about it: 15 minutes x 31 days = almost 8 hours of work. It does add up, but 15 minutes/1 small project per day should be doable!
What a great way to think about it. Eight hours seems totally doable, doesn’t it?!
I know there’s lots of real stuff in here that one might respond to, but I can only fixate on one question: What the heck’s wrong with Carter’s? I LOVED Carter’s when my kids were little. And, yeah, I really did wish they could only stay little till their Carter’s wore out.
I suppose this means that Osh Kosh is somehow verboten as well? It’s a step up from Garanimals, that’s all I gotta say about that.
The everyday/boring/98% in life is what makes my heart happy! Looking forward to following along:)
I want to buy a huge stache of Legos just so I can organize them like Jen. :) I love crafts and I would definitely cut out those letters if I had to (but I’d just use colored stickers, much faster). However, I can’t see us ever owning that many Legos! Btw, you’ve inspired me to do 31 days of no eating out; it’ll be a challenge, but I’m hopefully we can make it. This mama got in a bad rut of non-planning this summer and it’s time to get out of it!
*hopeful
I’m gonna try not to take offense at that “grip of neon” line
Please don’t take offense! I pulled a trend out of thin air, promise.
I’m with Hallie – I’m looking forward to following you through this William Morris Project, and I don’t think you should feel any pressure to only write about the “Pinterest worthy” things. “Small and inconsequential” things are what make the world go round, and that’s the stuff we all have to deal with on a day to day basis. Besides, I enjoy your writing so much that I would gladly read whatever you choose to post!
On a completely different topic, my fiance and I have just started our pre-marriage counseling sessions (Catholic church wedding next year) and it is so nice to hear about the dividends it pays in the long run!
Uh oh, I am not even on Pinterest and I orderd a chevron upholstery for a couple of chairs. Am I following a trend I didn’t even know about?
Love the idea for this month. It’s the little stuff that buries me. Looking forward to reading and getting inspired to do better at home.
I love doing little clean ups, decluttering in 15 min increments. Flylady taught me you can accomplish ALOT in 15. Set a timer and it really works!
I’m going to follow you on this and hit those hot spots, 1 a day and write it in my notebook.
This morning I cleaned up papers, bills, and receipts.