the great room exchange

About five weeks ago, I (with a whole lot of help from Big Man) did a big house project. There are two bedrooms in our house and for some reason my daughter wanted to switch rooms. It was actually a good idea. It gave us a chance to clean and purge.

I had no idea just how much purging could and would happen. So much purging. On the right you will notice a big 6-drawer dresser among other stuffs. This was the pile of trash we put out to the curb. Just the big stuff. All the clothes that once occupied that big dresser needed new homes. Truth be told, I had not emptied my dresser of winter or too-small garments.

The Great Room Exchange was a huge undertaking. For a week leading up to  the actual exchange, we went through the closets and the drawers, condensed and purged.  Condensed and purged.

I am horrible at throwing things away. Once I started with this project, I found it quite easy to want to get rid of everything. And nothing.

I might fit into this, I might need this, I can sell  this at a yard sale. Why is this still here? Why do I have this?

I have an attic that needs to be organized. I have piles of items for a yard sale. And then there is a pile of clothes that I will fit back into or I will donate them. I will need to do more condensing and purging but that is a project for another day.

The Great Room Exchange was done in stages. Room 1 was emptied and all the furniture was in the living room while the room was cleaned and painted then mopped. This was to be my new bedroom and I chose the brightest blue for the walls. Painting is hard work! Once the paint had dried and the floor mopped, all the furniture from Room 2 was moved across the hall into Room 1.

The furniture in Room 2 had not been moved for a long time prior to the exchange. The amount of animal fur behind said furniture was almost scary. Then I pulled the carpet and was stunned by the amount of dirt.  I have never claimed to be the bets housekeeper but this was an eye-opener. I had no idea it was that bad. I dusted and swept and vacuumed and mopped. Finally, Room 2 was painted and mopped again and the put back together again.

It is going to sound crazy but The Great Room Exchange was a lot of fun. and A LOT of hard work. I spent three solid days working with my husband working to make our living spaces a whole lot nicer. I love my man and I really enjoy spending time with him, even if its housework. We had fun doing this project!

 Thoughts & Lessons Learned:

• I love my new room. I love the bright color!! I really thought it did not matter one bit what color is on my wall.
• My previous room (and the mess and dirt) reflects so much on my state of  mind and being. I have not been taking very good care of myself and even though I think I put on a brace face, I only needed to look around to see it.
• Since we’ve been in the new room, I have kept it clean and tidy. I sweep it out at least twice a week, wipe everything down once a week, and hell, I’ve even been making my bed most mornings.
• I have not been willing to admit or I’ve been in denial….but my I’ve been in a pretty unhappy place where its hard to leave the house, or get our of bed, or do much of anything.
• I accumulate too much stuff. Too many clothes that don’t fit perfect. Too many shoes that aren’t right. I feel like the princess and the pea….things need to be just so…but I hadn’t been getting rid of the not-just so stuff. I need to keep working on that.
• A room cannot change everything, yet this new room and new color has opened my eyes to see just how dark and depressing it had been.
• I like cleaning my room, and I like having a mostly-made (Big Man and I each have our own sheets & blankets, so its not the easiest to “make”) bed. I enjoy spending time in my room and I have gotten back to a place where I want to do things.
• Every now and again, like yesterday, I will be cleaning or sweeping or making my bed and I catch myself wondering who I am. Before  the Great Room Exchange I never made my bed or cared if there were piles of clothes all over the place.
• Now, I have this great space to live, breathe and create. I have this space that feels like me.
• A long time ago, when I first started this healthy journey and I was trying to lose weight, I began with Leslie Sansone and her #walkathome videos. I have gotten away from those videos for so many reasons.
• With my new, bright, clean space I am getting back to my Leslie walks (also known at walkies or just #walkathome) and it feels like going to visit an old friend.
• Maybe a coat of bright paint can change me!!
• Maybe a coat of bright paint opened my eyes and will allow me to heal and change myself to what I want to be!

I don’t need to know why or how, but I am going to take advantage of this good feeling. It has been over a month and I am starting to settle into a routine. My room is still clean and tidy and pretty. I am walking in my room rather often. I feel good and I want to keep riding this wave.

Let’s see where it leads….

So, I have to ask you, what does your bedroom look like?

Hugs & Mad Love,

Jen