PART 1.1 PROJECT BEDROOM

[Read PART 1: PHYSICAL SPACE first to better understand the below]

What use is a reflection and realisation with no action right?

And so the pursuit begins with Project bedroom- literally de-cluttering the physical and the tangible.

It was such a chore! I’d stop every few minutes because I’d find and read over old letters, retreat notes, high school slambooks and reminisce over old photos. It took me forever to reach productivity with the persuasion of my dear mother.

___________________

[E.K Exposed]Throughout my blogs I’ll have these little portions to give a slight background to who I am.

Female, 23 living in Sydney, Australia. Started my career early last year (2010) and currently resides under my parent’s roof- a dependent. No bills to pay, no major responsibilities and I can’t cook.

Really selling myself here aren’t I? You’re probably thinking, “What a brat!” huh?

*Time to grow up little miss*

Indeed it is time to grow up, in just less than two years the plan is to go back to my birth land; the beautiful islands of the Philippines and do charity missions. One of the biggest decisions I’ve ever made and if God wills it, I’ll be there for two years. It’ll be a drastic change from the life I’ve known so far, another reason as to why this ‘project’ is so essential.

___________________

So out came the garbage bags and in went a whole lot of junk I’ve held on to for no apparent reason- All the free magazines collated after working at a newsagency and magazine company, all the school work kept from high school, college and university, all the random trinkets, papers or what have you. It was quite liberating to throw so much away whilst thinking they won’t be missed.

My Trash = Someone else’s Treasures

By annual routine, more garbage bags were filled not of ‘junk’ but rather of clothes I no longer use or fit into and donated to the less fortunate.

On a side note- When the Ondoy floods stroke the Philippines in 2009, my family and I made a small appeal to collect and donate clothes to some of the affected families there. Something that made me conscious each time I plan to hand over pre-loved garments is that someone else is going to wear them. The clothes must be in condition enough to be validated as clothing rather than rags; a number of these people have already been stripped away of their belongings, must we also strip them of their dignity?

With a heavy heart I also let go of my stuffed toys; I almost felt like Andy from Toy Story 3. I no longer played with them nor looked at them, they were just stored in the dark corners of my wardrobe collecting dust. They served me well in my childhood and kept some of my cherished secrets during my teens. They’ve witnessed my joys and my tears- even endured some during nights I held them and cried myself to sleep. Now it’s time they bring comfort and delight to someone who would appreciate the company.

[To the toys] Goodbye little friends- may you make some more children happy one day.

 How about perfectly usable stuff I no longer want? Some even new things I haven’t opened and doubt I ever will; Photo Frames, Display figurines, wallets and bags, etc.

Fortunately, some of my friends from CFC-Singles For Christ^ planned to conduct a Garage Sale in which the proceeds go to Gawad Kalinga*.

                ^What’s CFC-Singles For Christ? Visit: http://www.sfcglobal.org/about.aspx?catid=4&id=15

                It originated in the Philippines but I am part the SFC community here in Sydney, Australia

                *What’s Gawad Kalinga? Visit: http://www.gk1world.com/NewOurVision

                The English Translation of “Gawad Kalinga” is “To Give Care”

We haven’t done the sale yet but since the tragedies in Queensland, Australia we decided to help our fellow countrymen and donate the proceeds to the QLD Flood Relief instead. If you’ve also done some de-cluttering and have items you want to donate, feel free to message me so we can arrange something (for people in NSW only). Otherwise, if you’re also in Sydney and want to help in some other way; join us for a nice buffet dinner and entertainment at SUNSHINE REIGNS- an event my cousin and her sister-in-law is organising for the QLD Flood relief as well. I’ll also be singing, along with some of my favourite local talents. Details of the event are on the Flyer below.

Sorry if this blog entry sounds more like a plug for things I’m involved in rather than something more reflective- but hey it is my blog after all right?

If you are taking this journey with me, feel free to let me know how you’re going with it, what different ways are you de-cluttering and we can probably give each other ideas or inspiration.

And if Cleanliness is next to godliness, this achievement will be another impediment swept off the floor and an extra step closer to ‘perfection’.

PART 1: PHYSICAL SPACE

What started off as a concept for a song became the start of something greater- it became a personal goal- De-clutter. It’s been such a popular notion lately that I felt compelled to write and share.

PART 1: PHYSICAL SPACE- the visible and the tangible.

The scene; a floor covered by scattered mess making it hard to freely walk around, important possessions buried amongst things unnecessary making it a task just to look for what is really needed and even though there are ample belongings, satisfaction is never reached- always additions, yet nowhere to put them.

 “It’s another day, and still I’m sitting here

In the midst of all the clutter I have gathered in my room

It’s such a chaos here

Reflection of my mind”          - EXCERPT FROM VERSE 1 of Clutter (Original)

Who am I? I’m a mild hoarder, a sentimental who finds it hard to “let things go”. As I sat one day in my room staring at how much disorder I’ve created, the bare sight of it just stressed me out.

Why do I keep so many things!?

I have drawers full of useless stuff that don’t even see a glimpse of light 99% of the time. I have random collections of things I thought I might need later but never touch. I looked around intently, paused a moment and made a decision- I need to De-clutter.

Not only my room but different aspects of me.

 “The only constant thing in life is CHANGE”- François de la Rochefoucauld.

As the dates change on our calendars, so does the person we become- We’re not the same as we were yesterday, nor will we be the same tomorrow. We will encounter new experiences, meet various people, realise and learn new things that will ultimately alter our views, outlook and actions. Time doesn’t stop because we’re not ready to move forward, life doesn’t work that way yet many times we limit ourselves to how much we can progress.

How? - By having too much clutter in our lives.

Often we insist on holding on to the past because that’s where we feel safe- the familiar. As a sentimental, I keep things that remind me of the ‘old’ me- pieces of history, portions of memories I’m afraid to forget. Afraid or fearful; a hindrance to face the unknown- The future. Not because I have no direction, quite the opposite really. I have plans, dreams, visions but I also know that God has His own for me. As stubborn as I am however, I’m anxious about what those plans entail therefore hesitate to let go of what I already know. A constant battle I have with myself, knowing and wanting two different things.

“Faith and Fear- a contradiction
Opposites don’t always coexist
A war between the head and heart
Head doubts
Heart believes” - EXCERPT FROM War with self (Original)

There is a big difference nonetheless between holding on to our yesterdays and living in it. I do not exist in my past yet I let it exist in my present. I’m in motion, but like the floor space in my room I’ve allowed it to become obstructions to my steps. As hard it is to find the important things in my room, sometimes I lose sight of what’s really important in life, burying it under mindless activities or waste time on things unnecessary.

Satisfaction- Such challenge to obtain. Often pursued by material substitutes which, let’s face it will never be fulfilling. I own so many things I don’t need and still persist on more wants. I’m an overflowing cup or a bag about to break if I don’t reduce the load.

And visitors; How can I let people in, when my room is in an embarrassing state? They can enter my house (life) but I guard my personal space (heart). A friend once asked me, “How can I enter when your life is too full?” At the time it didn’t strike me but he was right. It’s even a guilt I carry with our God. How can I let God work His plans through me when I’m holding on to everything- when my door is left shut.

If somehow you can relate, take this journey with me as I “clean my room”. I believe that we are all a work in progress, we can never reach perfection but it shouldn’t stop us from striving to be the best we can be. The next few blog entries will cover reoccurring themes I’ve seen related to this goal- Letting go, detachment and living simply.