Hello Friends!
This month we are going to talk about something I don’t often bring up. Imperfect Action.
Newsletter Topic of the Month
Imperfect Action.
What is this? Let’s start by backing up a little.
I like to be prepared. I like to have all the things ready before I start. I like plans, no, I LOVE a plan. But guess what? Life doesn’t always cooperate with our plans. Plans don’t always go the way we want. Plans require us to follow a list, and if a thing or step is missing, it can really mess up our plan, or even just our idea of a plan. So, what if we just take imperfect action? What if we just do it? No list, no supplies, we just dig in?
This applies to everything, but also really to ridding ourselves of clutter. This past weekend I decided to do my favorite home thing. Putter. Puttering around the house. Never heard of it? Websters defines it this way: to do things in a relaxed way, without rushing or trying very hard: She really enjoys puttering around the house. And I do! Instead of having a list, I just flitted from task to task, tackling whatever met my fancy, some mundane tasks like laundry, and some tasks that left me feeling accomplished like cleaning out under one sink vanity. Tidying up that bookshelf. You see, I take great joy in neat, pretty spaces, but like most, I struggle with some spots in my house too! I got a lot done, and I enjoyed myself!
When I talk about decluttering, I always give you prep, have markers, bags, label maker, bins, etc. But guess what? Imperfect action is not making that list, not checking things off, not buying al the supplies. It is simply diving in.
What does imperfect action look like? Clearing off one small counter. Cleaning out one bathroom drawer. Pulling a handful of items out of your closet you don’t wear and placing them in the donate bin. Cutting down and recycling all the shipping boxes and packing materials. The best part of this imperfect action? The dopamine hit of getting something done often pushes you to feel motivated to move on to another counter space, drawer, or remove more clothing for donation.
Use what you have, organize with boxes destined for recycling, repurpose old containers and shoe boxes, make it work for now, you can pretty it up later. Just start. And go until you feel like you are done whether that is one drawer or a whole room. Be kind to yourself, imperfect action is NOT uploading your entire closet onto your bed, it is one section or space at a time.
I will likely go to my grave as a recovering perfectionist. And I am 100% ok with that. Years ago, I discovered the phrase “Perfect is the enemy of done”. Read that again. Our perfectionism can often stop us from even attempting to start, giving us excuse after excuse, I don’t have bags, I haven’t bought bins…NO. Sometimes we just need to dive to imperfect action.
So go off and practice imperfect action in as many areas of your life and home as possible. Get it done, don’t worry about how!
Have a topic idea? Area of struggle? A fun tip? Send it in and I may make it the topic of the month. Email me at hello@judygranleegates.com
Join in the conversation at Facebook group – Declutter and Resize – Bigger Living Smaller Space
Product(s) of the Month:
In the spirit of imperfect action, we are not going to look at any new things!
Feel free to reference my resource sheets if you are looking for something for a specific upcoming project or declutter.
News & Upcoming Events
I have some fun private speaking events I am getting excited about and working on some that will be open to the public too. I will announce those as they come up.
I have two very cool things coming soon, but they are taking just a bit longer than I hoped but I will announce soon!
Other Stuff
Do you have a group or event that would like to hear about decluttering, living smaller, or parting with sentimental items? Let me know, I love to speak to people about all things decluttering and resizing!
Comentarios