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 Restoring
Order to Your Home
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CBN.com –
Does the influx of clutter at the holidays get you
down? Boxes and tissue to be recycled…toys and
clothes to be put away….presents that crowd your
surfaces way too long….a mounting pile of items to
be returned…. when does it all become too much?
Don’t get me wrong: I love Christmas, but not
for the gifts. It’s the experiences of
the season that ignite my senses and emotions. I
love baking cookies with my family and celebrating
our traditional ladies’ high tea. Wrapping gifts
in shimmery paper and ribbons is a special ritual.
Lighting every candle in the house and enjoying a
crackling fire in the fireplace; these touches
make the holiday sparkle.
But after the holidays, the entire house
instantly looks dusty and jumbled. Am I the only
one who feels this way? While decorating the tree
seemed festive at the time, doesn’t taking it down
seem overwhelming? All my treasures that were such
a joy to set up are now a chore to pack away.
Isn’t it crazy how such a blessed season can
actually leave us a bit depressed when it passes?
When I think about it, I realize it’s the
experiences of the season that I love so
much, but it’s the stuff that saddles me
with chores and a feeling of overwhelm.
So, how do I—and how do we—enjoy the addition
of decked-out halls without hating the fallout? I
think it must be in our mindset. This year, I’m
going to look ahead. With my belongings, my home,
and my attitude, I’m going to press into the
future, into what lies ahead—instead of getting
stuck in this dusty depression.
As I put away my decorations, I’m going to
remember the laughter that filled my home as our
family milled about our home enjoying the holiday
scenes. As I clean up the pine needles and dust
the furniture, I’m going to be making room for the
next round of hospitality. When I re-read my
holiday cards, I’m going to pick a few of these
friends and make a New Year’s date to rekindle our
friendships and catch up.
As I make a few returns and fight the usual
crowds, I’m going to remember those who didn’t
receive any presents this year and I’m going to
count my blessings. As the refunds come, I’m going
to resist filling my home with replacement stuff;
instead I’m going to take the credits and save for
something I really need. I’ll think before I cash
in my gift cards; I want to make wise decisions
every day this year. As I add the new clothes to
my closet, I will cull out those that don’t quite
fit or feel right anymore and pass them on to
someone else. I’ve already got several bags
started for charity, and I’m paring down,
lightening up, and feeling freer.
The day or two of holiday clear-out is actually
becoming a doorway I’ll pass through into a new
year that holds many new adventures and
possibilities. I’m looking ahead to a year where
I’ll invest my time and resources into the
relationships and experiences that mean the most
to me.
As you wade through your own holiday backlog,
may you lighten up, count your blessings, and look
ahead to a future that shimmers just as gloriously
as the holidays. Living a life of order is really
about putting first things first so here’s to a
year of fulfillment!
 About
the Author: Vicki Norris is an expert
organizer, business owner, speaker, television
personality, and author who inspires people to
live out their priorities. Norris is a regular on
HGTV’s nationally syndicated Mission:
Organization, and is a recurrent source and
contributor to national lifestyle publications
including Quick & Simple magazine, Better Homes &
Gardens, and Real Simple magazine. Norris is also
author of Restoring Order™ to Your Home, a
room-by-room household organizing guide. |
