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With our changing weather patterns, even the birds are confused. For a brief few days, spring was in the air and a woodpecker was tapping at our tree. It was a reminder to think about spring cleaning and recreating my serenity space, or even finding a new one. Although I am often in a state or organizational flux, this time I turned to Remodelista: The Organized Home by Julie Carlson and Margot Guralnick. They reinforce my belief in rituals.
I have kept journals for over 45 years and, in doing so, became enamored by the idea of rituals and expectations within nature.
When we lived in the country, I transformed a closet with a window into a private retreat. There I kept a small desk with a gratitude and prayer journal. From that window overlooking the lake I knew there would be an osprey coming to fish at dawn and two blue herons to prance at dusk.
Finding such a space in the city became a downsizing challenge. However, as Margot Guralnick said when I discussed the problem with her, “The answer is simple. We believe in better living through organization. But not to a point where it makes people uncomfortable. Rather create a space that is comfortable, inviting, and unencumbered by clutter.”
As such, the move meant bringing only the essentials. And since that time, I find myself organizing and reorganizing each spring to bring more peaceful moments into my home. And when I looked again at their book, I realized "The Art of Order: A Manifesto" must become a way of life. The authors advise:
- Buy fewer and better things
- Donate stuff you don’t use
- Steal ideas from organizational masters
- Ditch the plastic (find sustainable natural materials)
- Know what you’ve got by clearing out your closets.
- Establish habits and routines to simplify your life (always know where to find your keys and glasses
- Relax and make yourself at home.
The Camera Magic
When we moved to the city I had to figure a way to find a serenity space. I decided to use a camera to look at the rooms from different perspectives. First standing in the middle of the room, I photographed each corner. Then standing in each corner, I snapped more photos from different angles.
Really assessing each wall and corner helps identify the perfect spot for a retreat. Through photos, or even a critical eye, you can see the section of a room that has unnecessary clutter or an awkward emptiness just waiting for you to adapt it for your peaceful place.
The perfect space
The space works best with a small table or desk with a journal but no books or magazines to distract you. Perhaps just a small vase with a flower. If you can look out a window, and see the sky, so much the better. View the time as a way of appreciating and developing your intuition, which can lead to wise decision-making and inventiveness. It is helpful if you:
- Schedule time each day, preferably in the morning.
- Use time management techniques so that by the end of your day you are prepared for a restful sleep.
- Shut off your cell phone and all electronic distractions.
- Buy a gratitude journal and use it often.
Gratitude is an attitude which brings invaluable benefits. During times of solitude, gratitude seems to come more naturally because it is easy to start with a simple, "I am so grateful for this time to myself."
When you are in space that is free of distractions and clutter, you are better able to focus on gratitude and meditation. However, too often we hear the words: "I don't even know how to begin to downsize or clear out my clutter."
One unique aspect of the Remodelista book is the Resource section: "What to do with Excess Stuff: A Guide to Donating, Recycling, Selling, Swapping and More."
Some of my colleagues are asking the Marie Kondo question when cleaning up: "Does it spark joy?" If not, out it goes. However, another way to start fresh is through gratitude. Look at an item and say to yourself, "This has brought us pleasure and now I am donating it. I am wishing someone else will find this useful, creative, and be pleased to call it their own."
Copyright 2019 Rita Watson
References
Oatley, Keith. Changing our minds, The Greater Good Science Center, Dec. 1, 2008 and at The Psychology of Fiction at PsychologyToday.com.
Women's Ways Of Knowing - Amazon.com: Women's Ways Of Knowing: The Development Of Self, Voice, And Mind. 1997. Eds: Mary Field Belenky, Blythe Mcvicker Clinchy, Nancy Rule Goldberger, and Jill Mattuck Tarule.
Watson, Rita E, “A Serenity Journal: 52 Weeks of Prayer and Gratitude.” Paulist Press, 2000.
