Spring cleaning month started for me today by way of “The Minimalism Game.” This is a game that I learned about from The Minimalists years ago, when I first started my journey of a newly single divorcée. Here is how the game goes; you begin on the 1st of the month and you get rid of 1 item. On the 2nd day you get rid of 2, on the 3rd, 3 items, and so on. If you make it to day 30 you will have gotten rid of almost 500 items. You can do this with a friend, and bet each other a dollar or a coffee on who can go the furthest. Me, I am in competition with myself! Mainly, because I am a get things done, instant gratification kind of girl. Unless, I get overwhelmed, then I tend to give up. I figured this little game will give me structure and a daily goal. Plus, I use a wheelchair and let’s face it, this process is just going to make it so much easier. I realize that 500 items sounds like a lot of stuff, but when you consider paperwork and computer files and unused aps on your phone, you will be surprised on how quickly it all ads up.

I am on day 3 of the “Minimalism Game.” Let’s take a moment talk about the why. Anytime you begin to make changes in your life, you need to know your why. Knowing your why and practically taping it to your forehead makes it that more likely that you are going to stick to it.

My ex-husband and I were hoarders. We held on to things for that rainy day that sometimes came, but most of the time did not. Also a lot of times when the rainy day did come, we just went out and bought new instead of looking through our closets, garage, and 3 storage units to find what we were looking for. After 16 years of marriage, three kids, and him working three years in a storage lot, we could have opened a warehouse. I am convinced, if we could have sold everything for a dollar, we would have been millionaires. I jest but that is how I felt. I will hand it to my ex though he was a well organized pack rat, and most of the time he knew exactly where to go, which made it kind of cool. However, with each things saved I was becoming more and more claustrophobic to the point I could not put 2 thoughts together, not to mention getting around in my wheelchair and of course housework.

When we split eight years ago and I got my new apartment, I put off getting furniture, or hanging anything on the wall for months. I didn’t realize jus how much I needed to breathe. I remember as I went through all my stuff and got rid of things the mental weight just fell off of me. So much stress and anxiety went with it and by the time I was finished, I new exactly what I had, and where to find it. I realized I had a more organized mind that was more at peace, and energized, and ready to work on some goals. I was starting with a clean slate, and I got to ask the questions; What did I want my life to look like, what is most important to me, and what do I want to be different in my next relationship? I am still growing and working on myself in order to answering these questions.

After a year in the house due to Covid this spring cleaning will be another reset after a highly stress induced year. I have faith that 2021 is going to be so much better.

So here is Day Three!