Decluttering and Gratitude

Project Happiness is well on track. I can genuinely say I feel happier. I'm actively practicing gratitude for the blessings in my life. I'm decluttering my home, simplifying and feeling less overwhelmed. I still have things I would like to focus on, like improving my energy levels, and exercising - but I'm happy with my progress so far.

The declutter is going very well. The kids are involved in the project, Miss J it turns out is a Decluttering Yoda. She has wisdom far beyond her years. Her brilliant plan of attack, is to empty a cupboard entirely - and take the contents to another room. Have a box in the other room for recycling, donating or disposing, and only take back to the cupboard what you need to keep.

I have to say it worked brilliantly, we did the bathroom and kitchen cupboards in the loungeroom, and halved what was in some cupboards. Now, things don't fall out of the plastic cupboard when the door is open - in fact, we made room for the new ice-cream maker and the yoghurt maker!


Unfortunately, the house looks an absolute mess at the moment, behind the cupboard doors, things are good, but the halls are now filled with boxes of crap to sort for disposal. Some will go to the op-shop, some will go to the tip-shop and some unfortunately is beyond salvage. I will be glad when it's gone and I just need to keep plugging through sorting the clutter and ignore the mess.

I had planned on starting on my bedroom tonight, but I'll admit I'm quite tired. One of the commitments I made to myself is that I won't push myself too hard, and I'll be kind to myself. Instead, I've just perched myself up on the bed with the computer for a little relaxation time and Kevin McCloud's new show. I am allowing myself time to do things I want to do, like watching awesome sustainable architecture shows - without guilt. I don't watch much TV, and when I do, I feel guilt that I could be doing something more productive. I won't do that anymore - I am being kind to myself.

I still have low energy, and I'm not sure if it's because I'm doing so much, or because I am full of toxins from my bad diet of late. I feel sluggish of thought also, and think a detox is in order. I know how amazing I feel when I detoxify and fill my body with nutrients.  I haven't planned a detox menu yet, but it almost certainly means I won't be sticking to my $21 challenge this week!  When I detox, I'll do a post about the detox, and give progress updates about it.


My favourite part of my day, every day, is the 10 minutes immediately after I wake. I have been using this time to be thankful for the blessings I have in my life. I am not a religious person, but I do believe that there is some divine power that I refer to constantly as the universe. I thank it for my healthy family, my beautiful home, how much better I feel, that I have the energy to do the things I do, for my good health, for my family and friends, for my best friend, for my charmed life.

I think when we all take the time to acknowledge our blessings, we really can't be anything other than happy. Most of our blessings as Australians are given to us, just by being born into a wealthy country, we all have houses, cars, fridges, electronics, and a damn lot more 'things' than we need. Most of which we're not really grateful for. I spend time now wondering and learning about what my life would be like if I were born in another country, and it's scary. Life would be very different if I were born as a girl into many developing countries. I am grateful that I, and my children have never known poverty. I am grateful that my children know how lucky they are, and have a desire to help those less fortunate than us.

The declutter and gratitude are making me feel happier. Project happiness is on track. I am blessed.


Hoping you're all full of joy and happiness.

M x