Stacks…

Sigh.

This must be why books are stored in “stacks”.

This is all the books and art books and just plain stuff that has collected in the window by my computer this year. I set stuff here, to get to “later”, but – when is later, anyway? Meanwhile, I’m happily reading away at the blogs or out and about in the garden, or hunting down groceries, or whatever.

I’m tired of my stacks, my piles, the stuff of life that is literally everywhere in the house. I’m tired of my stuff, my husband’s stuff, my kid’s stuff. And this is *after* we’ve actually thinned out most of what we don’t need!

I use paperbackswap, and love it for getting rid of books. But then I order more, that I don’t read either, or that I start and then put down to get to – later. But like I said, when is later…

I have journals I don’t write in, art supplies I don’t use, stuff, stuff, stuff. And I *want* to write, and read, and do art. I just don’t get to it. If I schedule my time, I’m annoyed that I have to schedule stuff that should be fun, and I just rebel. If I don’t schedule my time, I find tons of things to do. But nothing that I really would like to get done, just – other stuff.

Does anyone have a suggestion? How can I get myself to actually get to the fun stuff I want to do? I’ve tried the journaling and the artist’s dates from artist’s way, and just felt like they were yet more things I “had” to do.

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4 Responses

  1. Retire! – ok probably not a helpful suggestion :=) I found myself saying similar words and quite likely will do so again soon, but I finally do have time for a few of the fun things.

    Getting rid of STUFF is really difficult. We have been hauling things away – believe it or not I can’t give away good art supplies, or books or even some good furnature – people around here simply take such things to the dump. I am not quite ready to do that yet but I have scheduled a person to come in and help sort things who will take them away… Horray!

    Wish you lots of luck in finding solutions and when you do — Please Share!!!!!

  2. “filing by piling”; I recognize it well. I had good luck with the book “Organizing for the Creative Person” by Lehmkuhl and Lamping. Just don’t put the book on top of the pile!

  3. I completely share your frustration. I’ve got the stacks, too… Right now I’m looking at a tea tray–I said I’d paint it before we used the new teapot, and now, instead of painting, we’re just not drinking tea.

    We have to find our own way, every moment of every day. It’s tempting to plan it all ahead, but as you said, it’s easy to rebel… or have life mutiny your plans. At the same time, by making any plans or goals, we shape what the future can be.

    Treasure your stacks, but don’t blame yourself for not getting to them. When inspiration does strike–and you know that happens at the strangest times–you’ll have your tools at hand. If there are other things you are compelled to do, leaving your stacks to gather dust, just remember that those tasks are enhancing the depth of your art and writing to come.

    If your stacks are still causing you pain to see, make a project out of the stacks themselves–look for ways to organize or brighten up your workspace. Then, while you may not necessarily find more time for your art, when spontaneous inspiration does strike, you’ll feel prepared. “I’m ready to do this” feels a hell of a lot better to say than “I have to do this.”

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