Sunday, January 12, 2014

How I Improved My Mood.

This morning I woke up well rested and eager to start my day.

I came downstairs, walked into the kitchen and immediately, I was irritated. There was a filthy cutting board (we served the falling apart succulent crock-pot beef on it for supper last night) blocking my access to the coffeemaker.


I made the coffee and came into the dining room next door to browse the internet. Fine. My Move More Eat Well prompt this morning was to set "mini-goals." I got annoyed. I am doing my best to keep up with the daily habits I've set. How are they different from mini-goals? I thought. I considered asking that very question on the message board.

 
When the coffee was ready, I went back into the kitchen and poured a cup. I returned to the computer. I noticed someone had posted a link to a page with 101 mini-fitness goals. Perfect. I started to read it. I started getting annoyed: "I am already doing that. I can't do that, not enough time. I can't exercise with a buddy, I don't have one. What do you mean people lose more weight the more friends they tell?"



I went back into the kitchen to start breakfast. I washed that cutting board in a sink crowded with yet more nasty dishes. I washed the frying pan so I could cook the veggies and set it on the stove. I started looking about for my coconut oil. I couldn't see it. I circled the kitchen a few times. I even went into the living room, careful not to disturb my daughter and her friend sleeping in there. I started to despair. I looked at the counter and the mess, again, harder. I went over to the stove area. Looked there. Looked harder at the kitchen table. Finally!


So, I started the veggies and came back to the computer. I thought about how everything was annoying me. I thought about the girls asleep in the living room and wished they weren't there, so I could work out. I thought about my husband asleep upstairs and wished he wasn't there so I could go up and change. I was in a rotten mood. That was it.


And then I thought--did I wake up this way? Was I grumpy when I got up? Was I really going to have a bad day?

No. It wasn't me.

It was my kitchen.

It has not been truly clean and tidy since before Christmas. OK, things looked good on Christmas Day, but since I was left to do the dishes alone after dinner, there have always been some dirty dishes on the counter, or the stove, or both.



I keep forgetting how much my mood is affected by the clutter in my surroundings.


 
 
 
yes, it's almost exactly twelve hours later

Does it count as "decluttering" when I don't donate or throw anything away?

6 comments :

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your 'real-ness'. I don't know how many times I have come downstairs to discover the mess either I forgot about or didn't know was waiting. With the kitchen being our 'gathering place', I'm glad it is in there that most of the mess happens instead of other rooms, however I am trying to spend a few more minutes each evening to prevent my morning 'mood swing' when I reach the sink. Love your blog, by the way!
Gina from Chattanooga, TN

Alana in Canada said...

Thanks, Gina! Good for you for being proactive about your mornings.

Nony the Slob said...

Yes! It totally counts. And I LOVE those blue chairs!! They make me happy.

i said...

What a big diference between the two moments.
Such an empowering feellings. I'm happy for you because you have taken action. Keep going! Love you!
Isabel

Mommie Tommie said...

Isn't it amazing how our surroundings affect our moods!
Your kitchen is adorable!!
Great Job!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

I feel so much better when the kitchen is cleaned up every night, and stuff is off the couch, and the bed is made. It's not always easy, but it sure is nice when done and to wake up to a more orderly environment.

Hugs ~ FlowerLady

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...