Free Stuff Friday

Last Friday was the first of many "Free Stuff Fridays". Rachel liked my idea so much she wants to join in and bring free stuff too. I'm all for that.
I was a little bit apprehensive about dropping off a box full of my old stuff to be sent away to an unknown future. I had hoped that some of my classmates would find things and enjoy them as much as I once did, but not very much was taken. So away went the box to my teammate Karyn to be donated. I am glad I am not the one who has to make that final step. It's easier if I can hand the box off to someone I know and trust and let them do what's best. I believe she donated it to Goodwill or Value Village.
This box was the first, and had the most obvious "crap-I-don't-need" type stuff in it. As the weeks go on, I should be bringing things that are better, and harder (for me) to get rid of.

Pictures: Progress

I promise we don't drink that much beer. Those Session bottles have been collecting for a while. 

Still needs some serious organizing, but at least the stuff is off the floor. 

Now we just have to remember to hang them. 

Pictures: Before

The boxes: about 35 in total. Currently residing in the empty duplex, but I'll have to move them soon before we get a renter. I have nowhere to put this many boxes. 

My work space. I'm amazed at how I can get anything done in this mess. Also I have a habit of keeping product boxes long after I bought them... just in case (of what I don't know). 

Kitchen: dishes are unorganized and the rest is just a mess. This is embarrassing. I don't even know why there's a school desk in here. 

The pantry on the left needs some help. Lots of random stuff gets thrown in there. 

Those cabinets and counters are the only ones we have. Not much room for storage. Hence the 3 sets of shelves and using the microwave as a counter top. 

2 sets of shelves in the living room. Both mine. (Thad has his own 2 shelves for his stuff). 

What is the Project?

In a nutshell:
Clean my living room/workspace
Clean my kitchen
Get rid of unnecessary stuff!
Sort through and get rid of the tower of boxes

Why I love it:

I am an introvert

My home reflects my feelings
A clean house would make me happy
I can focus better in a clean workspace

I feel guilty about my house every time I come home.

Guilt sucks.
I want to be happy to come home.

The Beginning

My team: 

Karyn

Rachel

Thad

Look at all those lovely smiles! 

Karyn is great for general support, and she agreed to take a way my boxes of junk, and she "drives" my presentations. She also knows pretty much everyone, so is an awesome resource for finding help. And she's awesome.

Rachel is also working on a house project so we meet weekly to discuss strategies, show off progress, and drink delicious coffee. Plus I hope her enthusiasm will rub off on me. 

Thad is my partner in everything (or life partner if you will). Since it is our house that I will be transforming for this project, he is of course on my team. But mostly, he is the first person I ask for help on most things.

My alignment: Self Care

An alignment is something that you are aligning your actions towards to help get through what's blocking you from what you want. It can be something like Passion, Fun, Love, Peace, Self-Awareness, Courage, Wisdom, Accept Myself, and many more. After a weekend at a McCarthy Software Development Bootcamp I chose Self Care as my alignment. It is the thing that I need to practice most right now.
You know you have the right alignment when it touches equally on joy and terror. 

“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”
― Audre Lorde

For me this means…

• Not neglecting my needs for the sake of others (as I so much do)
• Getting more sleep (which means staying ahead on homework)
• Generally doing healthier things like walking more, eating smaller and healthier meals/snacks, less soda and more tea
• Allowing time to soak (think, absorb) when in the car, or bath, or wherever. Audiobooks and podcasts are great, but listening to my own mind is important too. 
• Be comfortable. Get better shoes, clothes, not starving or overstuffing myself. Changing into my sweats as soon as I get home (haha)
• Spend quality time with close friends and loved ones

There are various degrees to which you can practice your alignment:

1. I forgot what it was
2. I remember it but I don't use it
3. I use it sparingly, but to minimal effect
4. I use it often 
5. I use reflexively and without thinking
6. I use it in my sleep 
7. Integrated, it is a part of me (next step: find a new alignment)

So far I think I am at step 4, which is pretty good progress for 6 weeks.


Bonus team members: these guys help keep me sane(r)