Is it weird that I want to pat myself on the back?

I am horrible about throwing things away, especially if they have sentimental value. As a result, the four of us live in a very cluttered house. I've tried many times to declutter, but I get overwhelmed by the number of boxes and piles of stuff we have, and trying to decide what to keep and what to get rid of is difficult for me. However, today I want to pat myself on the back because, although I've only been a Flybaby for four days, I've slowly been making a dent in my clutter, and I finally feel hopeful about getting this house in order. Every week we clean one zone--this week is the kitchen--and I find it so comforting to know that as I scrub my counters or clean out my refrigerator, people all over are doing the same thing. As silly as it probably sounds, I don't feel so alone anymore, and that in itself helps so much.

In addition to making headway on the cleaning, last night I made some progress with my novel. Yesterday was what Flylady calls Anti-Procrastination Day, and she advises everyone to do whatever it is that he or she has been putting off. For me, it was my novel, although I haven't been putting it off so much as I've been putting it last each day. Yesterday I actually gave it priority, and I logged into my favorite writing chat room and got some words down, so I'm really happy about that.

I'm feeling pretty good right now on the progress I've made on the house and on my writing, and I'm hoping I can keep up my enthusiasm and momentum.

Flying again

Years ago, I joined http://www.flylady.net/ because my house was so filled with clutter, mostly things that were sentimental and difficult for me to part with. However, I couldn't keep up with all the e-mails (usually ten or twelve a day), and the fact that I was a full-time college instructor then made it difficult for me to complete all the tasks. I found that by the time I got home, made dinner, graded papers, and prepared for the next day's lessons, the last thing I wanted to do was clean and declutter. So I quit.

Now I'm at a point where the clutter has completely taken over. My parents recently moved out of their house and, needing space in their new apartment, they gave me all of my childhood toys and books and art projects... All of that is now packed in our basement, along with everything else I've accumulated through four moves and two marriages and two kids. It's all gotten to be too much; looking at all the clutter actually makes me sick. Yesterday, I decided to do something about it, so I joined Flylady again. I completed the first task--shining my sink--and as soon as I finish breakfast I'll be doing some decluttering in the kitchen. I like Flylady's approach, which is all about baby steps and establishing habits. I feel motivated to do this. I have got to get out from under this mess.