It’s OK to stumble. We all do it. There are always setbacks in any project worth doing.
Just get back up again and start where you left off…it’s all part of learning and growing… and it’s part of the waiting game too…
But when I look at the garage right now, I get intimidated. I feel overwhelmed. It’s only natural. (I hope things will get better when that shed finally arrives!)
Staging the stuff on the deck has given me some hope for the garage. But it’s a constant reminder of the challenges that lie ahead. I find myself asking questions that raise doubt about my goals and purpose. You may get those questions in your head sometimes too.
Questions like: Why, oh why did I accept all that stuff? This isn’t a minimalist garage – what am I doing? Where on earth am I going to put it all, and how am I going to get back to the working space I once had here?? Am I crazy???
That last one is probably the one I ask most frequently… so far it seems I’m still mostly sane!
a matter of perspective
Rather than focus on the amount of minimizing I have to do, I am consciously flipping my perspective to the positive. After a month I’m starting to make a dent in the piles of stuff in the garage.
The thing that keeps me going is seeing and focusing on the small improvements. I remind myself that each little step is taking me closer to the goal of working on those hobbies and projects which energize me. The little minimalist steps are taking me slowly in the right direction, even if it feels like there is no order in the garage right now.
Seeing those small improvements reminds me of other things too – like the minimax system I’m evolving to handle this huge task. The goal is still out there… and the system is in place to progress toward that goal… so I just need to have confidence and faith and carry on…
It sounds easy to reframe your perspective… for someone else… but it always turns out to be harder when it’s you!
chipping away at the big pile
Today I committed to myself to clear a couple of boxes. It was a small goal and one I knew was possible. I didn’t get rid of everything, but I did consolidate the two large boxes by staging stuff to keep, stuff to give away, stuff to recycle, and stuff to throw away!
…a little step can make a big difference…
Sometimes the little steps we take can make a big difference in our overall attitude. It’s part of our psychology. It doesn’t really matter what you do, as long as you do something. The action you take generates a positive feeling – and that positive feeling gives you a sense of control – and then you start to build momentum and things begin to happen again.
My stumble was a matter of perspective and letting doubt cloud my vision of the minimax future I’m planning. Every little step contributes to the goal – that’s a good minimalist tip you can learn. Taking little steps reminded me of the bigger picture, and that helped get back on track.
getting back up again
We need to keep in mind that it’s OK to stumble and doubt once in a while. That’s healthy because it lets you take a breather and review your progress, review your goals, and renew your commitment to the purpose you signed up for. That’s what I’m doing today – renewing my commitment to getting this thing done!
Hang in there with me and we’ll do some great things together. You will do great things once you have your garage, basement, storage locker back into shape so you can start maximizing your stuff to be productive again.
Next time I’ll have something good to share and report on – I promise.