Ok. So this was harder than I thought.
This mission has been–to borrow an expression from the young people–an epic fail. You’re wondering what the days in the title mean–it was my attempt at humor. (They are imaginary numbers…get it? I’ll refrain in future.)
I have insights from my inaction, if that helps. I think it does as it classifies this as a “mission stalled” and not a “mission aborted.”
Insight #1: While I am no one’s idea of a hoarder or pack rat, I find my “stuff” to be overwhelming–damn near oppressive. Clearly. It is why I was prompted to purge in the first place. Purging is an activity that requires energy and motivation–the “stuff” saps energy and motivation–and thus a circ is born. The only way to deal with a circ is to begin at the beginning and to give this problem what every problem needs for solving: at least one constant. This leads me to Insight #2.
Insight #2: I needed a plan. The plan is the constant. The plan is basecamp as you slowly work your way through the other variables. And though a plan (like a constant) is necessary, it is not sufficient. This leads me to Insight #3.
Insight #3: I needed “know how.” Not too much, but a little. The Minimalists by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus and someone whose writing I’ve admired for a long time, Julie Morgenstern were most helpful.
Now onto forming the plan. I usually “muse” in this blog but it’s time for tactics. There is more detail but I won’t bore you with the subplots.
Phase 1 (real numbers now):
Clothes, Papers/mail and shoes
Phase 2:
Kitchen, Books and sundries
Phase 3:
Office, Computer Files and Time
That’s it.
Pluralitas non est ponenda sine neccesitate. (Plurality should not be posited [assumed] without necessity.) – William of Ockham, Ockham’s Razor
“Never try to solve all the problems at once — make them line up for you one-by-one. – Richard Sloma
An Idle Hand 