Episode 12: Let’s declutter and get organized!

Episode 12

Have you been holding on to an item you need to get rid of? Is it hard to find something in your closet when you need it? Are toys or clothes piling up everywhere you look? This episode explores how to declutter your space, simplify your routines, and create habits that make life easier, not harder. Maybe it’s time to invite God into every corner of your home and heart, and be reminded that organization isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating peaceful and purposeful spaces so that we can live better lives.

Transcript

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Hello and welcome to the Kathleen Craven Jesus Praying Mom podcast. I'm your host, Hetty Marie, and I'm so glad that you're here today. We are going to jump in and talk about a topic that I think I think it applies to almost every home, almost. Maybe you have it all together and you are very organized, but for a lot of us, especially if you have kids, there are probably rooms in your home that you just wish were more organized. Maybe it's a room that has things all over the place and the cupboard is it needs work and there's spaces or corners where clothes are kept and things are piling up. Name it. I don't know about you, but there are certainly places in my home where I just want to declutter. I want to get rid of stuff, and I just need the courage and the time to do it, I think. So today we're gonna talk about getting more organized, and I don't consider myself an expert. Not at all. I am still very much a student, but I figured let's talk about it today. And hopefully, some of the things I'm gonna share with you are things that you can relate to, might want to try in your life to see if that's gonna help your situation. I know for me, uh the things I'm gonna share with you are things I'm still working on, and some of them are gonna take some time because I've created, I think, some habits in my life that I'm going to now have to undo. Um, and it happens because we live live busy lives, and when we're busy, we try to do whatever's quick and easy and fast, and sometimes uh it can lead to uh messy rooms and messy places in our home. So let's talk about it today. As always, I like to talk about my caffeine of choice, and I happen to have some hot chocolate here, but close, close to that hot chocolate, I have a glass of water because I do not drink my eight glasses of water a day. I don't know about you, but I am living a dehydrated life, I think. So I'm trying my best to get some sky juice into my daily routine to drink way more because you know, like I know, water is really good and healthy for you. So I'm gonna take a sip. Mm-hmm. Alright, good way to start us off to wet my whistle. Okay, another thing I like to talk about is my cuddly adorable dog, Bren. Bryn, Bryn, Bren is the what's I wanna say the center of our world. We love Bryn. And so just wanted to give him a little shout out, as always. So the song for today, um, going along with our theme of getting rid of things and organized, of course. I mean, the first song that came to my mind was that Disney song, Let It Go. Um, because that just seems like it just works, it just fits. How often in our lives do we have things that we just need to let go of? And say, you know what? That pair of pants that I've been saying I'm gonna lose 20 pounds and fit into. You know what? I'm okay with my body right now, and I'm gonna let this go. Whatever it is for you, maybe it's something in your home that is a memory or something that you're just like, you know what? It just doesn't fit with the ambiance here. I'm gonna have to say goodbye to this. So let's talk about it. What I always like to say is that there are scriptures and verses that talk to us about our lives. I feel like the Bible, I know the Bible, has the answers and has truth and has things in there that remind us of how to live and how to trust in God and that He is going to be there with us. If we ask Him for help, He will help us. So here's some scriptures I think will apply. Proverbs 24, 27 says this put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready. After that, build your house. Matthew 6, 33, one of my favorites. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Luke 16, verse 10 says, Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much. And whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. As in all the congregations of the Lord's people. And one more scripture, why not? 1 Corinthians 14, verse 40 says, But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. When I think about my public world and my private world, I'm reminded of a book that my youth pastor gave me. I was in his office one day and I was looking around the office and I saw a book, and I believe the title was Ordering Your Private World. And if I can find it, I'll, or the title or the author or what have you, I'll put it here. And I read that book, and it really helped me in many ways. And one of the things it shared was how our private world often reflects our public world. And if it's in complete disorder and things are all over the place, that we might feel that feeling of unsettled and disorder in our public world as well. And it talked about how important it is that when we take the time to order our private world, to get things on the inside of our lives taken care of, that we will begin to want the spaces in our lives as well to be in order. Some of you know what I'm talking about, some of you are nodding your head even as you're listening to this. So I would encourage you to take some time. You're gonna have to slow down, and I know moms don't want to hear that, to slow down and take some time for themselves to reflect, but you might need to do that in order to just observe and see and look around you and ask yourself, okay, do I need to put some things in place in my life? Spiritually, mentally, name it, emotionally, and do I also need to do that in my public world as well, in what's around me in my spaces? Okay. So here are about, I'm gonna give you about five ways to be more organized and to do it with some purpose. And I hope that I'll also bring some peace. All right. Number one, practice stewardship in the small things. Take responsibility for what you already have, build consistent habits, don't wait for big moments. Be faithful in daily routines and follow through. This is tough, but like I shared earlier, if you can be trusted with little, God will give you more. If you can be trusted with the car that you have right now and keeping it clean and taking care of it, God can give you something more. And I tell my kids that all the time. Whether we're in an apartment or if we're in a house, we have to be good stewards of what God has given us. We need to be. And when we are good stewards, then God is like, yeah, they're taking care of that. I want to give them more. And I often say to my girls too, like, why would God give you more if you're not taking care of what you have right now? There's something to be said about developing the habits and the routines of taking care of our things so that we can, one, we can find it when we need it. Um, but two, it really starts to develop a discipline in our lives, and if we certainly save time, I know when things go back to where they're supposed to, when I'm looking for where are my nail clippers or where where's that you know bottle of lotion or what have you. It's nice when it is where I put it last and where it always belongs, where it should always be placed. Now, I got kids, and if you got kids, which you probably do, basically means that something can very well be taken from your space and be found in their bedroom, under their bed or on their desk. So that's just life, but the best you possibly can uh to it develop some routine. Okay, okay, Bryn. To develop some routines and where you place things so they all have a home. All right. Number two, declutter with intention, um, and do it one step at a time, one room at a time, one drawer at a time. Don't worry that if it doesn't all get done in one day. My goodness. Um, sometimes we need to give ourselves uh achievable bite-size goals. And we were able to clear our desk. I know for me, one of the things that really helped me, especially as an educator in the schools, is before I left my job, before I left for the day, I would make sure that my desk was clear. I just that was one of those habits that just really helped me to know that when I arrived the next day into my office, that it wasn't cluttered and messy, and I felt a level of peace going into the new day. So you might need to develop some habits, but when it comes to decluttering, focus on one space at a time. Bite size, you know, let go of what you don't use, need, or wear, and you know what it is. Some of you can go into your closet right now, point out to something that you have not worn in over two years. Might be time to let that go. Okay, and ask yourself am I holding on to this out of control or fear? Really? Okay, these are good questions to ask. Okay, why am I holding on to this? Why? Why do why do I need this? Now, I'll tell you, there's certain things I've kept because I want my kids to have it when they have their kids. Um, so there's certain like I like my kids call them memories, mom. Keep it's cause because it's memories, and I'm like, okay, we'll keep it for the memories. There's certain things, but there's also things I've decided, I was like, okay, we're gonna keep one memory, the rest is gonna have to go. So make a decision for yourself when it comes to all right, I'm gonna hold on to this, but why am I holding on to this? Is there a reason? And I'd say this too: there's some things that we've held on to or that held on to in my life out of I'm wishing and I'm hoping, like I said, like I'm hoping I'll get back to this to a size two or whatever it may be. Oh my gosh. Okay, those days, I had to say bye to those days, okay? From for me. Now, if you have a goal and you are like, hey, I'm working towards something, that's different, but don't be holding on to it as a um a crutch or out of fear, because you need to just live free and know that God loves you, whatever size you are, however you are, God loves you anyway. All right, and you don't need to hold on to anything out of fear, let it go, and you will feel a level of freedom. All right, number three, make organization practical. Set up spaces that make sense for daily life. And what I mean by that is I have next to my cure egg, I have my mugs because it just is practical to have it ready in there. Um, next to my my nightstand, I have my lip balm because that is usually what I put on right before I go to bed. Put some lip balm on, it's right there, my charger. Have spaces and areas that make sense for where they are. Okay. Um, I know that sounds like pretty basic, like of course we do, but sometimes we find I find things around I'm going, well, why is this here? Why did I put this here? Why is that there? That's out of place. So really think through where you have your things and that it makes sense for your daily life and your busy, busy life. Keep frequently used items accessible. I believe in this wholeheartedly. If I'm using it on a regular basis, it needs to be out. But if I'm not using it, using it regularly, I'm putting it away. And when I need it, I'll take it out. Store items where they are naturally used, and that's another thing too. We talk about everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way, like the scripture says. Well, it makes sense to have the you know, the toilet bowl cleaner stuff in the bathroom area, you know, not in the kitchen per se, or what have you. Like certain things go where certain things go. Like, okay, I'm gonna need my shampoo in the bathroom for when I need it. I'm not gonna put my shampoo somewhere else in the house. Okay, so start looking in your sp at your spaces and making a determination of okay, does it make sense to have this here? It does because I use that regularly. Or does it make sense to have this here? No, I don't, I hardly ever use that. I can put that away, and when I need it, I'll pull it out. Here's one invite God into your space and mind. Mmm, so good. You know, we don't do this enough, at least I don't, I should say, to really say, God, come into this space. And I'm finding more and more as I get older, spending time with God and sneaking away and having some solitary time with the Lord is so important to me. And my office is one of those places where I just love to come and whether it be late at night or early in the morning and have some quiet time with the Lord. And I'll tell you this: when my desk is messy or there's things all over the place, it doesn't feel peaceful. Even with my eyes closed, I still feel a level of chaos because of my surroundings. So I would encourage you to find those spaces where you feel just at peace and at rest and make it just that. Clear it, declutter it, and you will find that it just encourages such a peace of mind, and you can just think a little more clearly, and it's just helpful for your overall well-being and health. Pray to God for clarity, for peace, for direction. Um, that you will, you know, pause and take time to reset. We need to do that. All of us do. I was reminded just the other day, I was like, when was the last time I turned off my phone? Usually I just plug it in and I just leave it, but sometimes we need to turn it off and reset it and start again. And same with us. Not just with sleep, not just with napping, but finding those times where we can pause, reset, and go, what do I need to do right now? What do I need to do today? And maybe it is a habit of five minutes a day. I will declutter. Five minutes. I'll set my timer to five and I'll find a space or a place in the house that needs to be tidied up. And once that buzzer goes off, I'm done. Okay. Create rhythms that bring calm instead of chaos. That scripture that we shared, put your outdoor work in order, and after that, build your house. You know what you need to do. This podcast today is very well. For some of you, it's a reminder, but for some of you, it's a kick in the pants. You know what you need to do, and I want to encourage you and tell you you can do it. So make that choice today that you're going to invite God into your space and have Him help you clear the spaces so it's less chaotic. And number five, create systems that support you. Oh, this is so good. You live a busy life, mom. You know you do. So do your best to think through your day, like you do. We talk about, I mean, I can tell you right now from experience, I'm already thinking about okay, what's the meal for tonight, or what am I gonna do before bed, and you know, we're ready thinking ahead. Okay, some of you are already thinking about tomorrow, what you need to get done tomorrow, and all the things that you gotta pack the car up with because you're going away, or what have you. I'm gonna tell you this create systems that support you by ensuring that you have planned and organized yourself so that way you're setting yourself up for success. Mm-mm-mm. Can you just think about it that way? That as you prepare and organize your spaces that you're setting yourself up for success, you're not gonna be wasting time looking for things anymore because everything is where it's supposed to be. And of course, because you've developed some routines, that you have places for everything has its home. I know someone has said that to me before like that has a home, the cups have a home, my shampoo has a home, my nail polish has a home, everything has a space and a home. Let me tell you, it will make your time more effective and if you're not wasting it looking around for things. And when you find that something is not working, then you adjust accordingly. Okay, it's not working for me to have this here. In my car, I have a uh container of wipes, just kind of disinfectant wipes. I place it there right next to me because as soon as I finish um filling up my car with gas, I come in my car and I grab the wipes and they're right there, ready to wipe my hands and to put away. It makes sense to have it there. Doesn't make sense having it in my purse sometimes or someplace away because now I'm touching everything, and the whole idea was to clean my hands before I'm touching stuff. So I'm saying to you, find out what works. If it doesn't work and you're finding that it's taking more time to do it, get rid of it. For me, my purse, my purse, I was carrying this big, huge purse with me everywhere I was going, and I was thinking, now I gotta go through this entire purse to get what I want. I have now reduced that purse to like a wallet size type of um contraption. And that is, it just makes sense for me because sometimes I'm just running into a store and I just want to grab my wallet and run into the store and come back. I don't want to carry my whole purse with me. So find the things that are working for you and the things that aren't working for you, throw them out. Alright? All right, let's take some time right now and let's pray. Dear God, help us become more organized and willing to release what we no longer need. It's tough when life gets busy to keep things in order. Show us how to develop habits to declutter our lives, to make life easier, not harder. We invite you into every space. Give us wisdom to steward what you've entrusted to us. Remind us that organization isn't about perfection, but about creating spaces where there is peace and purpose so we can do all that you've called us to do. In Jesus' name. Amen. All right, friends, thank you so much for joining us on this episode of Caffeine Craven, Jesus Praying Mom. I hope you heard something today that really hit home. I know when it comes to decluttering and organizing and letting things go, it's not easy. But I believe in you. I know that you can do it. So ask God for help. Ask him what are the things that I need to do, what are the spaces in my home that I need to declutter and take it step by step. It probably can't happen all in one day, but I'll tell you this: give yourself a little bit of time, a little bit of grace, and I know you can make it happen. I also have a resource for you. If you go to Amazon, click on this QR code that you see here. You'll find a book called Get Serious and Other Principles to Pull You Through. I believe that this is a book for you, and so I'm sharing it with you. Go ahead and order it, maybe share it with a friend. It is a book with some inspirational stories, life lessons, principles, and things that I know have helped me along in life, and I think they will bless you as well. What I like to say before I end every episode is that we are lifting prayers and we're filling up cups with more Jesus worldwide. Please feel free to subscribe, to like, to follow, to share this with a friend, and to leave a comment, whether it be a question or feedback. I would love to hear from you. Thank you so much for joining us, and I'll see you next time.