One Tiny Thing
I can't help leaving something of a trail behind me in my bedroom where I am changing clothes and rushing out, or bringing clean things in but then answering the phone before I get them put away.
So what I do over the course of the day is tell myself, One Tiny Thing. Each time I go in the room I do One Tiny Thing to make it look nicer, or be tidier, or to serve us better.
Then usually by bedtime, I have laid out a trail of peace and order.
21 comments:
Anna~
I find myself doing the same thing! I like a calm room when I lay down for a sweet slumber.
I have the same technique! Chipping away at things - it makes a difference, truly! Persistence.
I often do it with the dishes (no dishwasher), I'll wash three - it looks much neater! Next go by, I do three more. They get done; I don't feel like I'm standing at the sink all day; I'm not worn out.
I'm doing a few things at a time.
Yes, I know exactly what you mean!
Lisateresa
Awww, beautiful thought from a beautiful woman. :)
What an idea! I usually leave a trail of debris behind me... it just somehow happens, and it must be driving everybody mad. But One Tiny Thing - that I can do!
great idea.. each step counts for adding order to your home.. I love to read tips for handling house work.Thankyou for sharing. God bless.Judy
What a particularly excellent idea! I will start employing it today!
Now this a a lovely thought and action!
I love your pillowcases! Did you make them?
No, they're vintage. Aren't they a great color combination?
truly, is that your pillowcase? How delicious!
I so agree with you. If I think the whole house is a mess, I get overwhelmed. If I just put one thing away (toys excepted) as I'm doing something else, eventually things look better. At the end of the day, every thing is picked up before the children go to bed. So lovely.
This is my approach too. I try to never leave a room without quickly grabbing something to go elsewhere or tidying something. (or, in the bathroom, wiping something down!) this stage of my life is all about Two Tiny Things (boy and baby girl!) & if I did not employ this workable approach my house would descend into disaster within hours.
Like Margo, though, I don't do toys. My son is 4 so he cleans them up himself--imperfectly, but I just shoot for good enough!
The Mother of an old friend offered the best housekeeping advice many years ago, "every day do at least one thing that is not in the daily line-up, straighten one drawer/wipe down one cabinet/wash one window & so on". Keeps the major stuff more managable! A funny saying from the same lady 'natty up' means rinsing dishes after use, hanging wet or damp cleaning cloths or towels to dry until wash time, just staying ahead of the game & preventing small crises ie. dried on food/mildewed towels.... Has served me well for years!
So true! During my very brief brush with waitressing during college I had a boss whose 'mantra' was 'Never travel empty' and it has been such a good discipline for me. Whenever I move from room to room I look about for things that are out of place and take them back where they belong. It's just a small thing, but it's effective. Speaking of Small Things, have you met my friend Rachel Anne Ridge - she blogs at homesanctuary.com and we (the Company Girls) do a 'small thing' together each day to make our homes a place of peace, beauty and order. It's been a blessing to me - and so much fun too!
Amen to tiny bits of peace and order left behind. Ps. 90:17
A lovely thought. You have encouraged me in my awesome role by helping my vision of having a peaceful and lovely home life. Thank you. Mary Brooke
One tiny thing is so much more manageable than One BIG Thing -- and yet all the tiny things together do amount to BIG at the end of the day. I have to remind myself of that on those days when, if I am not careful, I would say I've done "nothing much."
Anna,
How lovely. It is something I shall apply now to my life. Thank you for such a simple yet,powerful message.
Sincerely,
Elise
Haha! I though t I was the only one who *tries* to do that!
Katie
De-lurking here to say thank you. When I was a newlywed I heard more seasoned wives discussing how their bedrooms are always in a state of chaos. I couldn't imagine letting the Inner Sanctum be so neglected and abused! And now.... I have so many things lying around that I plan to get to "later" -- well, later never comes. So thank you for reminding me to use the now moments to return the Sanctum to its deserved peace.
Okay, I want that pillowcase! Does the other say "Mr."? Adorable! Does the Composer object to your retro stylings?
Three things: This is my second favorite post of yours, ever, which I found again tonight because it was in your "random-you-might-like" widget for your latest post. My absolute favorite? That would be the one from 3 Jan 2008 - "Two Last Chores". How do I know the exact title? Because I printed it out and pasted it in my journal six years ago, that's why! ;) Finally, you know you have a great blog when someone (that would be me) who has insomnia reads through it for inspiration at 0230.
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