Kristil: WOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Look at you now that you have managed to undo your log jam!

ladyblue: Don't get discouraged! Continue to pick at your log jam until you can get things moving, again.

KT'sMom: Yes, it's amazing how little we actually need, isn't it?

jmz: Hope you had time to get to the paperwork, yesterday, as planned.

Elizabeth: Woooooooooooo Hooooooooooooo on the extra work space! Now you have room to spread out as needed. I usually move to the dining table (permanently extended with the extra panel in the middle!) when I need to spread out (when sorting files or cutting out fabric, etc.)

Diana: Thank you. I figured I can't be the only one struggling with a log jam.

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I have 2 sets of cutlery - one is a set of 8 place settings and the other is a set of 6. I keep both of them in the cutlery drawers built into my dining table (one at either end). For our daily use, however, since it is just DD and I, I keep 2 of each (knives, spoons, forks, dessert forks) and 4 teaspoons in a cup on the kitchen counter.

I do something similar with our dinner plates, too. The dinner sets are mostly in the cabinets, used only on occasion. For our every day use, I keep 6 plates and 6 salad/dessert plates on hand; 1 mug for me and 2 for DD; 1 glass for each of us. I usually wash (by hand) everything we use after each meal. But once a week, I let everything pile, so I can have enough to make a load for the dishwasher (this only after I was told that I should run the dishwasher at least once a week).

Now that my log jam has been cleared, I was able to spend the weekend doing other stuff that had been held up by the log jam! I washed the living room drapes and the window. I cleaned the kitchen. I polished the copper and brassware. I relaxed and knitted and read and took a nap - all without feeling guilty!

You all ought to all be so proud of yourselves. Not only did you get a log jam unjammed, but you tossed and cleaned and sorted and inspired many of us! WHOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOoo

Bless-- thank you so much for this thread!!! When I first read your post I was skeptical. I thought it couldn't apply to me or help me. I have so many things out of whack. Every room in total disarray. I thought about it and reread it several times thinking there s no one thing that is holding me back. Then that light bulb came on over my head and I saw it!!



This has had an amazing effect on me!! I have done so much in the last three days that I can hardly believe it!! I am not resentful of having to do it as in the past. I am actually looking forward to the time I have to get things done and standing back and loudly proclaiming "Look what I did!!!"

Any doubters out there, give it a try. Find that log jam and bust it up. My productivity is at an all time high and I have really kicked some butt around this house!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! {{{HUGS}}}

Kristil, We've all been there. The great part about it is that now that you've figured it out, you know what to do. You may backslide, we all do but it will be easy to get back on track and fix it again.

Kristil: Thank you. I am glad that my post helped you. Maybe your experience will help someone else!

As ChefSam said, we may backslide (and yes, I've done so, myself!), but the difference is, we will be able to recognize the signs of a log jam and we will know what we need to do to clear the log jams when that happens.

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Right now, I am in "log jam prevention" mode! So, yesterday, after I processed the mail, I noticed that I had a few pieces of paper to be filed. Over half of them were tax related, so they all went into the one tax folder and that left about 6 other pieces - it took me less than 10 mins. to file them in the appropriate folders.

Once that was done and out of the way, I was free to attend to other things - I vaccumed the hallway and bedrooms, cooked dinner, packed lunches, did the dishes, wiped the stove, baked muffins (and washed the mixing bowls, etc.) and took out the trash cans.

If I had NOT done the filing first, I might not have vacuumed or baked the muffins (how could I waste my time doing such "frivolous" things when there was FILING waiting to be done?)

WHOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO to all is all I can say.
Wonderful news and great jobs! Gotta give Bless her due, it was a great great posting.

Blessmymess, you've made an excellent point.

Phichef, if you aren't sure where the logjam is, why not start somewhere and see if it helps? If you aren't sure that A or B is the problem, pick something to work on. I sympathize about your washer and dryer (and you may have to get new ones), but maybe not everything depends on them.

If laundry is an issue, as diasgreeable as it is, you could take some loads to the laundromat until the washer/dryer issue is resolved. I personally wouldn't use a laundromat often, but once when the local water main broke, I did so, to keep laundry from piling up.

See if you can find some task to perform to get the "juices flowing," and maybe other logjams will become apparent.

Sometimes we procrastinate for no obvious reason, although I've found that days when I'm tired, or when the weather is dark and cold, don't do much to get me moving.

If you have lists, crossing tasks off when done could be at least a tiny reward. I love crossing things off!

Yes, something as simple as needing to get a stepstool to put an item away can be a deterrent. I STILL have some Christmas stuff to put away, because I have to drag it up the attic steps (I can live with that), but THEN find a space in the overcrowded attic to store it. So boxes sit in the living room. We have all experienced this kind of inaction in the past.

ElizabethClark, my hat is off to you, doing so well with so little room. Once I lived in a 450-square-foot apartment, which I shared with a roommate. Cramped doesn't begin to describe it. But I had stuff stashed at a couple of friends' homes, such as my toboggan and Christmas items. You are correct in that less space means less stuff (and, no doubt, lower property taxes!). Our place is bigger than yours, maybe 1100 feet or so, counting bathroom and utility room.

Another good reason to pick a project, any project, and do it, is that even if you don't undo the "original" logjam, you likely will liberate space. When I finally finish all the painting I plan to do, the large storage box with paint supplies can go into the shed, and I will have at least a couple more square feet in the utility room, which also has water heater, furnace, washer, dryer, litter box for cats, and shelves to store food and utensils (no pantry).

As I think it was Goethe who said, "Only begin, and the mind grows heated; only begin, and the task will be completed."

I haven't been having trouble with logjams as far as procrastinating doing chores or items on my to-do list around the house (my timer gets me going!) so much as getting the motivation to take care of my health (diet & exercise). These were always on my goals lists, but somehow never got on my daily schedule consistently so I recently tried to find out what the "barrier" (logjam) was. Basically it was that I don't LIKE to exercise or DEPRIVE myself of the instant gratification of high-fat foods (my downfall).

So I had to really take myself to task as one would a child. So what if you DON'T WANT to brush your teeth, go to bed, do your homework or pick up your toys--you STILL HAVE TO DO IT. NO, YOU CAN'T have that candy bar at the check-out display at the grocery store. NO, YOU CAN'T have that toy you saw advertised, etc.

I mean, I have become a spoiled brat!! I DON'T WANT TO DO IT--WHINE--POUT--REBEL--SILENT TANTRUM.

So after a good talking to & some time in the the corner "thinking about it until I was ready to behave" I decided that I WILL exercise in the morning even though I don't want to in order to ensure it gets done. And I've got my diabetic cook books out to plan my meals & have been keeping my food journal to track my food exchanges & have been putting my "big girl pants" on & reminding myself how lucky I am that I have this opportunity to reverse some of my health issues with lifestyle changes. If I don't do it now, I may not have the opportunity in the future. So I guess my logjam was immaturity!!--Suzy

I hear you Suzy!! I have been struggling with my inner child for years. Housework was punishment for us when were kids and I have always resented having to do it, thinking to myself "I haven't been bad!!". It has taken years to realize that it is MORE punishment to myself NOT to do it than it is to just get it done!!

Good for you to realize your log jam!! I constantly have to MAKE myself do what needs to be done. Fortunately lately I have been a cleaning demon!!!

Suzy:
I think your big girl pants are lovely on you!!!!!! WHOOOOOO HOOOOOO and you hit the nail on the head....reversing some health issues now, just think 100 years ago it wouldn't have happened, you are insuring more of a lifestyle you really want.

Kristil:
You got some big girl pants too! (Love that expression Suzy), and look at how far it has taken you?

That is wonderful!