Just a quick heads-up. My January simplify 101 newsletter will be hitting email in-boxes later on today.
Will your in-box be one of them?
If not, there’s still time to sign-up. Just visit my favorite page on our website to sign up. Then, be sure to confirm your subscription via the email confirmation link that will arrive just minutes later. Two simple steps and you’ll be all set for organizing ideas and discount coupons for our store each and every month. Pretty cool, huh?
In this month’s article I ponder the question (and provide some answers!) about why it’s so hard to simplify. Here’s a little snippet:
It’s OK if it’s easy.
Simple is easier than complicated, right? So if we want to simplify, this means we have to be willing to accept easy. And quite frankly, that’s easier said than done. I’d be willing to bet there’s a hard-work ethic deep at the core of your being (or even right at the surface, for that matter.) Our culture teaches us that life is hard. Success requires hard work. If we don’t work hard we’re lazy. Without breaking through this, and seeing the contradiction between striving for simplicity and our deep rooted beliefs about how hard life is supposed to be, simplifying becomes very complicated. You’ll continually and subconsciously push against simple, without really understanding why.
Here’s a new mantra for you: easy is good.
Happy Friday!
The book is sooo on my wishlist!
As for simplifying: we’re preparing for a military move in the summer and I’m busy simplifying. For now, it’s getting rid of stuff! I am posting FREE items on my “freecycle” yahoo group and also on the garage sale group. That’s a great way to get rid of usable items! Everything else will be donated or tossed!
Thanks Aby!! Simplify is my word for the year (a la Ali E.). . .it is SO hard. . .but baby steps will get me through. . .one process, area or system at a time. Oh and I better go buy that book! LOL
Hillary
You know your my hero, right?
Hi Aby,
I just joined your blog after buying your book, the inspired and organized scrapbooker. I have been reading it every day and am in the throes of trying to organize my 8’x16′ space. It’s narrow. Hopefully I’ll get there. Where is your desk and bookcase featured on the cover of your book from?
I’m also wondering where the furniture from the other scrapbookers rooms are from (the scrapbookers featured in your book). ..
thanks!! I can’t get enough of your book!!! And the pictures are so, so, so inspiring!!
My sister just introduced me to your website. She knows I have an intense fascination with, yet consistent failure to accomlish, an organized and clean life. I just read your slippery slopes article. It not only made me feel good…it made me jump up and get to work! Thanks so much.
Ohh I’m putting “The Organized & Inspired Scrapbooker” on my Valentine’s wish list.
I got tagged with really interesting blog challenge and tagged you in it. Take a look, hopefully it will inspire your next blog.
Take Care,
Lisa
You are also my hero and I just have a few questions from you and your readers. How do you get started. We just moved into a brand new house and we brought only our personal stuff. Everything is brand new in our home. And I just love it all. I have so many organizing books from you to everyone else. I really want to do all baskets as much as I can. I am trying to work one room at a time and its so hard. Any advice to help me get this going. My goal is to organize one room a week and I am starting on the master bathroom. And oh my gosh I have so much stuff. perscrip, meds hair stuff ect… Please I beg of you help a wanna be organized home owner.
Sorry so long but I am so desperate.
Terrie