What do the Coronavirus and Decluttering have in common?

As my husband and I begin preparations to keep our family safe from this potential pandemic, I think about what good could possibly come from this frightening event. I definitely consider myself a “glass half full” kind of person. Perhaps it’s because I like to cheer myself up when things get tough. I’m sure a little of it is also my personality (unfortunately) that has to find a way to control my circumstance. Either way, I think it gives me comfort to find some gold.

During this crisis, my concern leans toward my community of readers (and our country and world as a whole). Praying those who have contracted this virus are spared the nightmare some have experienced, and also praying that the wise moves of our current leaders continue to keep any growth at bay. I feel we have made the necessary precautions early enough to hopefully begin a shift back to health and life as we knew it. I think our best course is to maintain a healthy balance between outright fear and complete apathy — what I would call cautious optimism.

Yesterday, I announced to my kids “We’re experiencing history! Your kids will be studying this in school and you’ll (prayerfully) be able to tell them you lived through it.” We are out of school for the next two weeks–and I know they are so excited right now, because currently, my kids believe “Home school” means no school…but they are in for a treat.

I think we will be called to the school to pick up their at home assignments. I struggle to figure out how to teach math to two kids who definitely won’t respond well to their new mom teacher (especially when she has to google how to find a common denominator). Still, if the worst for us is the inconvenience of entertaining bored kids and rationing toilet paper, we are so so blessed. And I reminded myself this morning and thanked God for so many blessings. Good health, food, clean water, a continued paycheck and a home to quarantine to, should it come to that.

Which brings me to the title of this post. It’s times like this we are reminded of what is most important. And as we’re decluttering, if we can keep this mindset, it will be so much easier to get rid of junk. Honestly, the pile of empty dusty baskets that are in the corner of the garage mean nothing if they aren’t serving the people who live in the home.

It makes me realize, clutter is just us having our priorities out of whack. When it gets so bad that we don’t enjoy our home because of all the stuff and taking care of the stuff, we’ve forgotten what the stuff is for. So with that in mind, lets get it out, focus on the blessings and use this wonderful home God’s given us for what it was intended for. To be a beautiful respite at the end of the day.

And even if your current living situation isn’t your dream, remember we can make it the best we can, and along the way, you might realize you were focusing on the wrong vision.

I’m reminded of some of my favorite decluttering videos on Youtube from Lorie Marrero who created The Clutter Diet Program. She would end her videos with this quote: “May you always be happy and Grateful for having more than enough”. I just love that. It flips decluttering on it’s side because instead of looking around in overwhelm at all the stuff I have, it makes me think about the “More than enough” so who can I bless with these items? Who would benefit if I gave this away? And the answer isn’t just the person I gave it to, but also me–for the increase in breathing room.

So I think my optimistic takeaway during this Coronavirus concern is to be grateful for all the blessings we have, good health and all the tools to stay that way, and more than enough possessions to not only feel comfortable and happy but to be a blessing to others. Would love to hear what your plans are for the next couple weeks to stay safe and entertained.

I will share photos and garage progress so stay tuned!

Prayers for health for all of you.