apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

MAJOR progress was made yesterday, and even though I am not spending much $ right now, I've been able to see some serious changes. I will probably post some more pictures tonight, but the biggest and BEST improvement was the removal of my outbox. It had taken over my living room for the past 7 weeks and was so depressing to see it every time I opened the door. I knew saving it all till the end was the best way to encourage myself to keep adding things to it, and it forced me to deal with it all at once, but I might try to be better organized with it next time. Plus I imagine I won't ever have that much stuff again, if I keep up with things (that's the plan!).

Honestly, getting rid of all the extra junk has made me FAR more aware of my purchases and what I keep around. The whole "use it, love it, need it?" way of thinking is my new philosophy. Even with the same old crappy living room furniture I feel so much happier not being surrounded/suffocated by "things".

As I wrap things up this week, I feel motivated to keep going with projects/purchases as time and $ allow. I plan on painting my bedroom SOON (there's some water damage to cover up anyway), and I am going to try to save for a fancy new couch, or maybe that's where my year-end bonus will go...

Anyway, it's all pretty exciting and I don't think I've loved my apartment this much since I first moved in (my first place of my own) in June of '04.

I'm feeling a sense of accomplishment, especially in the living room and writing room, a lot less so in the bedroom. I too, plan to continue the process as $ will allow. Calling a halt to spending part way through the Cure was necessary for me, but it sure wasn't fun!

I've decided not to have a party at this time. Instead, I'll have people over in February, when all the holidays are just a memory, and winter is wearing on people a bit. (Hopefully by then a few more things will be "done", and I'll also be better able to afford a party.) So my Cure is just kind of fizzling out. But I'm looking forward to spending some quality time, just me and my Cured apartment -- relaxing, reading, re-creating. It will be good.

I keep getting rid of possessions too, and it is a good feeling. I guess it always will be a struggle when it comes to books, but I'm making myself keep only the ones I love.

smallcitybeth: I think you are right about going a darker color for the shade. I'll try that. To make it shorter I will just have to buy a new harp.