Little things

Right now I am trying to de-clutter my home of small things I no longer use. Most of it is going to the local church’s yard sale in September.

But that motivation and the fact that I have spent a month away from books but listening to soothing music…and a slight unsettledness of spirit has led me in the past few days to new changes…little ones.

For example, I looked around my master bedroom the other day thinking about moving the bed into a new location. But, that move is a major thing and I am not sure that I can safely accomplish moving the bed on the carpet myself as it is a king bed. So, I looked to see what else was nagging at me…and focused on a small square table that is under a window.

Because it is square, it sticks out just a bit into the straight path from the bed to the bathroom. It struck me that I would like to change that issue. I removed all the items from the top and the shelf under the table and found new places for those things. Then I physically moved the table to a new spot in the computer room and placed new items upon it…an oil lamp (not even sure it has oil or a wick), a statue that had lived hidden under a living room side table, and a recently potted spider plant. Now that table has a new life and things not previously presented have a new place to be seen.

It was a little thing, but it changed two rooms and brought different items into view.

Another example was looking at my dining room hutch. The top part is filled with glassware, and underneath I had bowls, vases, pitchers, and cups. I realized that was no longer feeling new to me but rather a catching place. I moved items around regrouping some and removing a few…and suddenly that hutch feels new rather than an old place to set something down.

Another little thing. Still, it pleased me.

I am learning it is not big cleaning projects that are always needed. Sometimes it is just shifting a little thing that gives that feeling of new and satisfaction in the end result. It might be a memory that is touched, or a small problem (like the table) that gets solved, or just the aesthetics of what is placed there that pleases. Just a little thing.