CLEAN UP THE MESS
The bedroom
Side effect of my detox (I have long since been eating again, but I am not yet drinking at the old level) is that I have much more energy in the evening. Where I would otherwise lie in front of the fireplace with a glass, I am now terribly active. For tonight, my bedroom is on the agenda. Because when I look at it with objective eyes, there are all sorts of things there that don't belong. I would be so pleased if you would join me.
Of course, I again called for help from Flu, you know, she of cleaning up. She whispered the following advice to me. First, the importance of a tidy bedroom. That's where you should rest, so your room should radiate that. Clutter doesn't belong anywhere, of course, but certainly not in your bedroom. Clutter stares at you reproachfully. And that's exactly what you don't need when you're lying in your bed. There you either want to indulge in some steaming fun or you want to sleep. Hockey sticks, broken socks, dresses that still need to be dry-cleaned and four piles of DVDs do not help in either case.
Remove everything from your bedroom that doesn't belong there.
For example, I have an fmy mother-in-law's oto next to my bed. I cherish the picture but next to my bed it's not really the aphrodisiac you want there anyway. So that one has to go to the study. And next to the bed a particularly good-looking version of myself. Or something like that. Flu dares to go so far that if your bedroom is a mess, you don't rest well.
Those suitcases for which I am too lousy to lift them to the attic because my next trip is always in max a month anyway, are not really conducive to atmosphere either. Get rid of them. Maybe not to the attic, but at least to a corridor I never visit.
Rommel stares reproachfully at you.
Griep is immensely right about that. I have four baskets in my cupboard with the aim of keeping everything out of sight but they are now so stuffed with junk that I can hardly bear to look at them. Tonight I am emptying those and mucking them out. According to Griep, I can safely swish them into the container in one smooth motion as well, because that which you haven't missed for a year, you can say goodbye to.
It's nice when your bedroom is tidy.
How nice is a hotel room? Put a small bouquet next to your bed, a scented candle, a nice book you leaf through at night. Make sure the sheets are ironed, it is much more comfortable and looks much nicer.
For many people, the bedroom is like a shed.
With you soon, that means no more. Try looking at your own room with a stranger's eyes. Why are things where they are? Does everything have a function? Do you really need it all? Do you really think your maid can clean between all that stuff? Do you really think you will read those books when there are ten of them under a bed of magazines and weekend papers in a corner?
It's nice when your bedroom is tidy. So throw things away.
For example, I have a lot of duvet covers but I actually only use three. That's a perfect number according to Griep. One for your bed, one for the washing machine and one in the closet as a spare. In case a child throws up on it or something....
Stick to bedroom rituals.
Always open the curtains in the morning and make your bed. Is really done in a minute and it makes you feel good every time you enter your bedroom. I think a made bed is like wearing nice underwear. Nobody sees it when they are in the living room or see you with clothes on, but subconsciously you feel that everything is fine there too.
Tip: If you are not so good at making beds, you can buy a bedspread. Tuck lots of pillows in a row on top and lo and behold, the Charlotte in you comes out.
