Finding My Reflection in My Kitchen Sink

Okay, well, not really, because my kitchen sink is not stainless steel. But if it WAS, I'd be able to see my reflection in it.

I've been reading Sink Reflections (Subtitle: FlyLady's BabyStep Guide to Overcoming CHAOS), by Marla Cilley. It was recommended to me by my sis-in-law a few years ago but for some reason I have just now picked it up and gotten REALLY into it. The reason my kitchen sink is SHINY is because this book has you start with your kitchen sink and gradually RECLAIM your entire home. Reclaim it from what, you ask? CLUTTER. I admit it. I'm a PILER. My mom made up that word to describe herself.... but I am a much WORSE "piler" than she's EVER been, in my opinion. I pile stuff. Stuff I need to remember to take care of later, stuff I need to keep out of Tali's reach, etc., etc. So I started reading this book 3 days or so ago and already my home is starting to look and feel different. Stan notices the difference....and I already feel so much more "peaceful".... just because I know I'm making progress.

Here's one KEY concept that I'll share with you now, and I'll save the rest for later. The concept of "Hot Spots." A "hot spot," Marla says, is any surface that tends to be a clutter magnet. The place you drop the mail when you walk in the house, the place you set down whatever you've brought in from your car, the place you pile papers you need to go through, etc, etc. A few of my personal "hot spots" are: The rolling "island" in our kitchen; the "ledges" of the "windows" that look into our living room from our kitchen; the top of our TV armoire....I could name a few more, but I'll stop there. So basically, this book has you develop routines - a morning routine and a bedtime routine. Morning and night, one of the most important things you condition yourself to do is to check your "hot spots" and put away everything that doesn't belong there. They say it takes 21 days to form a habit...and I am only on day 3. BUT, so far, my sink looks great and my "hot spots" are not so "hot." Ahhhh.... Feeling better about life already.

I'll share a few other techniques and principles from the book in the coming days and weeks as I "take ground" in our home. Just thought I'd fill ya all in on what I'm currently excited about. :) As a natural born organizationally-impaired person, this book is super-DUPER helpful!! I'll keep you informed on my growth toward excellence in this area. :)