Change Nothing and Nothing Changes — Amy Louise Organizing

The new year is often a time of self-reflection, when people consider what worked well last year, wins and celebrations, and what they are resolved to change in the year to come.

When people reach out to me, it almost always has to do with change. Perhaps you have moved and need help taming the post-move chaos. Or maybe you realize something isn’t working at home (clutter or lack of systems), and you want help creating change. Your situation is unique, but it involves change.

Change is hard and disruptive. It can feel uncomfortable and even unsafe. But if we change nothing, nothing changes.

WHAT’S HOLDING YOU BACK?

I’ll go first…

My own home’s organization isn’t a big priority this year. I’ve already addressed that. Maintaining and tweaking home systems never goes away, but my baseline home organization is currently sufficient to allow me to focus on other things.

The thing I’m resolved to change this year is something entirely different.

I realized recently that I haven’ nurtured my inner, creative self enough for a few years now. Long before I read Julia Cameron’s famous self-help book, The Artist’s Way, I was someone who regularly journaled and took myself on quiet, solo outings. I went to movies and museums alone, read books in the park, rode my bike to the lakeshore to watch the sun rise, took long walks in the city, and studied subjects of personal interest.

Gradually, I came to see these activities as self-indulgent, selfish, and irresponsible. I was a grown-up with serious responsibilities, after all. So, I began living my life according to myriad should statements in my own mind.

Now, the results of all my responsible behavior are in, and they’re not good. Something is missing; there’s less connection to something important to my soul.

This is what I want to change in 2024.

THE ARTIST’S WAY

In The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron outlines a simple, two-pronged approach for improving one’s life, whether one self-identifies as an artist or not:

Doing daily morning pages. “Put simply, the morning pages are three pages of longhand writing, strictly stream-of-consciousness,” writes Cameron. “[T]hey are a valid form of meditation that gives us insight and helps us effect change in our lives.”
Going on a weekly artist date. Cameron explains, "An artist date is a block of time, perhaps two hours weekly, especially set aside and committed to nurturing your creative consciousness, your inner artist... a play date that you preplan and defend against all interlopers. You do not take anyone on this artist date but you and your inner artist, a.k.a., your creative child.”

If it’s not obvious to you why these activities might be beneficial, you are not alone, which is why I recommend you read Cameron’s book.

Fortunately, there is nothing stopping me from going back to these self-nurturing activities. Unlike some who encounter The Artist’s Way for the first time, I’m not even skeptical about its suggestions. I’ve already done these things and know that they greatly enhance my life.

That is why, this year, I’m formally inviting myself out, to make amends and heal the wounds inflicted by my stern, workaday self.

What do you want to change this year?

CLUTTER AND DISORGANIZATION

Are clutter and disorganization standing between you and your beautiful life? If you’re like many of us, STUFF is on your short list of daily frustrations and regrets. Many people are overwhelmed by their belongings, the state of their organizational systems, and day-to-day clutter.

I know from experience that it’s difficult to pursue other activities and ambitions when you are weighed down by a sub-optimal home environment. It can feel impossible to live the life you want when you have too much clutter and chaos at home, but you can change the situation.

You can do so on your own, with the help of a friend or family member, with the support of a professional home organizer, or some combination of all three.

Change can start now; it can start small. But you must put one foot in front of the other. I believe in your ability to do hard things and change your life for the better.

CAN I HELP?