Have I mentioned I have a small house?
You have probably seen pictures of it if you read this blog. Its tiny - now it might not be that tiny for someone just starting out or but for someone with several active (or used to be active) hobbies there isn't enough space. I thought at first it was a matter of organization. If I just had things cleaned up and in order then I could create a space to work on photos, make cards, scrapbook, etc. But what I found it out of site out of mind takes over and I haven't touched a scrapbook in over a year! I haven't made cards in months! Of late I have thought that it was a matter of too much clutter. So I am trying to get rid of alot of items that are not necessary and just take up space. For example, I am trying to archive my sketches and sketch books from last year. I usually don't reference them back as they are just a place for me to look. I am also DESPERATLEY trying to figure out the best storage systems for my photos. I purchased a couple of years back and large flat file like this one. THe ones that archietects use to store large blueprints and flat files. Well that is GREAT but in this house I have to store it in the basement b/c the
downstairs is too small (less than 700sq feet) but the basement has too much water so you can't really store photos down there. Good grief the dilemmas.
Add to this the fact that I had hoped within a year I could undertake the renovation project I had planned on when I bought this house (new walls on the downstairs, new rooms on the upstairs) but things have not gone well at my job as of late (early and late) and I had to replace my furnace, my washing machine and tires on my car in the past 30 days. Things are not good in the house renovation area.
Which brings me back to my original dilemma of hobbies and space and feeling like there isn't enough time. Is that the problem? Did it just come out in a stream of consiousness?? Is time my problem! Well certainly I feel that is part of it, I don't have alot of time. I have a job that keeps me away from home 12 hours a day and weekends are a race to get it all in. And I think time will continue to be a problem until I am working from home and doing what I love. Until them I could maximize what little time I have left 1. having a better systems for keeping all my stuff or 2. not caring and just taking it as it comes. I like option 2 - just doing what you see in front of you except I miss my scrapbooks and I think some of the photograhs I have taken have gotten ruined b/c I don't have a place to keep them.
I have a weird little room upstairs that has no heat and is the dumpiest room in the house. It has basically been a dumping ground because I refuse to use that room as storage of any kind because then I would have to admit that I am not getting a renovation any time soon. You see if I keep saying: I can't put anythign/spend any money in that room because I am going to renovatione it then hope lives on! But as soon as I buy some shelves for that room and use it to help me organize all of my life I have admitted defeat. Maybe I shouldn't see it as defeat, maybe I should see it as maximizing my life today UNTIL I have my renovation!
Here is my house:
