Declutter update

My friend has arrived and my place is getting cleaner.

As planned, I took two truckloads of recyclable materials to the Vancouver Transfer Station on Friday. Since most of it was already in an outside storage area, it was a way to make more space for my own stuff to be removed from of my living space.

Over the next two days I worked with varying amounts of intensity to make things in my place right for my friend's arrival. I used a clock/timer software Big Ben to give me a reminder every 15 minutes, which allowed me to check my progress and give myself a break. I also used a sound CD called Omni which claims to allow one to focus on the task at hand.

It worked. Yesterday, I had things timed perfectly knowing that I could clean up, go out and get a mop and still have time to get to the airport. I even took a break and published my first YouTube video. Earlier in the day, I was feeling angry - ready to insist that my friend find somewhere else to stay after one night, until my place was ready later in the week. By the time I left, I was satisfied that enough had been done. That is a new feeling.

I do have some After pictures now and I will post them on flickr shortly.

Next steps: 1) Clean up the unfinished parts of my home.

2) Take material to recycling depot.

I like the fact that the list is getting smaller.

Al