My return to the power and magic of FIVE--Reb MacRath
Have you ever had so many irons in the fire that you couldn't decide where to start? A strategy I've used before is now being tested like never before as my move-in date to a ground-floor studio has been bumped up by a month...while I try to downsize my possessions for a less cluttered place...while staying on track with my new WIP and looking for a new job.
The move became necessary because of a broken elevator forcing me to man two steep flights of steps, sometimes several times a day, with a strained back and lame knee. I'd lined up a ground-floor studio in the same building, one of several. The move date was September 10. Well and good. But I learned of an opening now for a spacious 1BR ADA apartment in the main back building. I'd get this for the same price I've paid for my studio. But I'd need to move in by July 30.
How? I could handle the financing and the usual change of address steps. My mover could handle the new date. But how could I arrange for junk removal, deciding what had to go to give me the uncluttered home that I craved? So much had to go though I'd already gotten rid of tons when I moved into my current place. Action time!
I began working in relentless daily groups of FIVE. I kept a list of battles I needed to wage repeatedly to accomplish the move and stay on track with my WIP. (Though I'd never heard of KonMari, I'd stumbled on to my own version of this approach.)
5: general trashing of papers and 'stuff' I didn't need or want. I settled for no less than five groups of five.
WH: Welcome Home. Each day I sorted through papers and 'stuff', deciding what to keep and where it belonged. One bullet point for each item. No fewer than 5 bullets a day. This act of getting organized was liberating. Where are the chargers I need? In this drawer! Where do my flash drives and laptop accessories go? Over here!
W: Writing. No fewer than two one-hour bullets each day. No excuses.
10/15: my home workouts alternate between stretching/Chair Yoga and vigorous Tai Marching.
J: Prep for Junk removal. The process hurt like hell at first. Some really top-quality stuff has to go. The deciding factors for me are: am I even using this luggage and do I even need it? 5 bullet points a day, loading the smaller stuff into giant bags stored on my patio. Clothing. Books. Kitchen ware I've never touched.
These are my main categories. I make no claim to perfection. Here is what I can claim, though: I've adapted to a new schedule, set upon a strategy that works for me, and discovered a new sense of freedom and empowerment.
And, yes, the WIP goes on. Photos to follow.
This is my report.
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