Do I Still Want to Write That?

by Lois Flowers

Not too long ago, I read a book called The Cozy Minimalist Home. Written by Myquillyn Smith (a.k.a. “The Nester”), this gentle guide helps would-be decorators “quiet” their spaces and incorporate “more style” into their homes using “less stuff.”

I wouldn’t call myself a minimalist, cozy or otherwise. I have no plans to remove everything from my living room and then put back only what truly fits according to this decorating philosophy. But this lovely book has prompted me to look around my house with fresh eyes and honestly evaluate whether I like or need what I’m seeing.

So far, I’ve gotten rid of the tea kettle collection I displayed on top of my kitchen cabinets. I put away several cookbooks that used to be on an open shelf and replaced them with a single Fiestaware pitcher on my Magnolia Table cookbook. I even threw away numerous socks and other unmentionables in my underwear drawers because I was tired of digging past things I don’t wear to get to the items that I do wear.

My small, ongoing efforts have been met with cheers from my husband (who would live like a minimalist if he were alone in this house). They’ve also triggered a desire in me to clean out and organize other areas of my life, including my Microsoft Word blog files.

I began this process with more than 90 files containing ideas and notes for future blog posts, some of which dated back to 2015. While certain thoughts need to simmer that long before I can write about them, those are the exception, rather than the rule. As a result, quite a few documents went directly to the trash can.

A few files contained some fairly fleshed out ideas about nurturing leadership potential in our daughters. This idea still interests me, though maybe not for the blog, so I moved it to the “future writing projects” folder on my laptop.

I pared down quite a few files by copying memorable thoughts or experiences into a single “Notes and Ideas” document that I can draw from later. Other files were made up of a line or two that don’t seem like fodder for an entire blog post anymore but still bring a smile when I think about them now.

For example, I wrote down how the trainer at the orthopedic office described Lilly when she was recovering from a severely dislocated knee last fall. She was “the poster child for fixable,” he said. (He was right, thank God.)

In November 2016, I started a Thanksgiving post that recounted what I was grateful for during that season. Since the list only included four items, I obviously didn’t stick with it for long. But during that time of my life, it seems I was thankful for “A grace-filled child who, upon hearing me apologize for being so grouchy the day before, simply said, ‘That’s OK, Mom. I knew you were stressed.’ ”

Another file revealed how delighted I was when a bit of internet research revealed that my name means “agreeable,” “desirable,” “better” or “famous warrior.” For some reason, this seemed much more affirming than the “faithful worker” definition I recall from the personalized Christian bookmarks of my childhood.

Finally, after deleting all the ideas I didn’t care about anymore and compiling the notes I want to remember, I was left with 34 blog posts that I actually do want to write in the near future. That still sounds like a lot, but it’s more manageable than the 90-plus documents I had when I began this process.

Some of these posts still may get thrown away as I go along or morph into something completely different than what I expect. I’ve already seen that happen while I was grouping the files that remained after I edited my folder.

I moved several posts originally labeled “Aging” into a category called “Middle,” which includes musings about middle-age confidence and growth and slow realizations—not from the perspective of a cheerleader or motivational speaker, but from someone who is plowing through the messy middle season of life right now.

The beauty of this category is that these posts will give people who aren’t there yet a bit of a sneak peak while also inviting those who are further down the road an opportunity to use their own hard-fought wisdom to encourage others. If it works out how I hope it will, it just might spark my favorite kind of multi-generational conversation.

Now that I’ve decluttered my files, my goal—at least for the month of April—is to write for an hour every week day. I don’t have a particular number in mind, but I’m looking forward to making a dent in this collection of unwritten blog posts, some of which I’ve been thinking about for quite some time.

I’m fully aware that all of this may change with a phone call from my parents’ nursing home. As early as this afternoon, tomorrow or the day after that, all these plans may have to go right back on the backburner.

It’s happened before. It will likely happen again. But while I do need to live my life in the moment (because it might be my last of that sort of moment), I can’t let the uncertainty of the future keep me from moving forward into the future.

So write I will. And when I need a break, I’ll go back to wandering around my house, looking for other stuff I no longer need or want.

Lois

While I do need to live in the moment (because it might be my last of that sort of moment), I can’t let the uncertainty of the future keep me from moving forward into the future. Click To Tweet

P.S. I’m linking up this week with Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStoryLet’s Have Coffee, Faith on Fire, Faith ‘n Friends and Grace & Truth.

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22 comments

Bethany April 18, 2019 - 9:08 am

My husband could easily be a minimalist too. And I…don’t like clutter, but like my stuff! 🙂 I can relate to all this! Cleaning out digital files sounds so daunting though! What sweet memories you found in yours! I’m looking forward to the ones you still want to write!

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Lois Flowers April 30, 2019 - 9:46 am

I like my stuff too, Bethany. It makes for some interesting discussions around our house, that’s for sure. 🙂 It feels good to have those files organized, though … I’m so glad I did it when I did. I’ve had to put my writing schedule on hold these last couple of weeks, but it will all be waiting for me when I get back to it, hopefully soon!

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Mary Geisen April 11, 2019 - 6:43 pm

You are much more organized than I am. You inspire me to become more organized. I have quite a few drafts that I need to go through to see if they are worth salvaging. Who knows, maybe I will do that!!

Thank you for the peek into your writing process. Good luck with your daily writing.

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Lois Flowers April 15, 2019 - 9:15 am

Thanks, Mary! I’m glad you feel inspired to be more organized. Doing this really has helped me … it’s like it’s freed me up to get more done somehow. 🙂

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Linda Stoll April 11, 2019 - 9:43 am

well i just love this post, Lois. it’s so much fun to paw through our files and old posts and stuff and find something worth redeeming!

i can’t wait to see what you discover!

a true delightful challenge to us bloggers.

;-}

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Linda Stoll April 12, 2019 - 10:34 am Reply
Lois Flowers April 15, 2019 - 9:16 am

Aw … thanks, Linda! 🙂

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Lois Flowers April 15, 2019 - 9:10 am

It really was fun, Linda. Definitely a trip down memory lane, for sure. Hugs, friend!

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Lauren Renee Sparks April 10, 2019 - 8:19 am

Sounds like beneficial practices. Visiting you today from the Let’s have coffee link up. laurensparks.net

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Lois Flowers April 15, 2019 - 9:09 am

Thanks for stopping by, Lauren! 🙂

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Lesley April 9, 2019 - 3:04 pm

Decluttering is one of those things I always want to do, but I am really bad at making time for it! The last time I tried I filled a bag of things to take to a charity shop and it is still sitting there waiting to be taken two months later!
It sounds like you discovered some interesting blog ideas. It’s a good idea to go through the drafts and see which ones you still think you want to work on. I look forward to reading some of them soon!

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Lois Flowers April 15, 2019 - 9:08 am

Ha ha, Lesley … I know what you mean about filling up bags that just sit in your house! Clearing out the blog files has definitely helped me get more focused with my writing … we’ll see what comes from it!

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April April 9, 2019 - 2:31 pm

I love the personal transparency here!! I’m sure it absolutely did feel great to get all of these documents sorted!! I know I haven’t even been blogging long and I already have bits of posts on several documents on the computer and my phone too!! This is likely something I will need to do. #tellhisstory

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Lois Flowers April 15, 2019 - 9:01 am

Thank you, April … it was so nice to hear from you last week. Welcome to the world of blogging! Yes, it felt GREAT to get all that stuff sorted. I had no idea how much it was hampering me until I started writing from a place of organization! 🙂

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Jeanne Takenaka April 9, 2019 - 2:26 pm

Awww, Lois, I started reading The Cozy Minimalist some months ago. I loved what I read and I was so inspired to declutter my house . . . again. I stopped reading at the part where I knew I wanted to take action (and still don’t) but didn’t have the time to. So, I keep it front and center so that, when a little more time opens up, I can begin to take steps to change some of our spaces in our home.

I love that you decluttered your files. I am eager to read what comes from the posts you held onto so you could write more about them. My files need serious decluttering, but that will have to wait for summer, I’m afraid.

You’ve been in my prayers, my friend.

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Lois Flowers April 15, 2019 - 8:59 am

Decluttering your blog files sounds like a great summer project, Jeanne. 🙂 My output hasn’t increased dramatically, but I am a lot more focused and energized about what I am writing. I’m trying to hold all this loosely, like everything else, but it is providing structure and I’m grateful for that! Thank you so much for your prayers … I will try to send an email update soon. Hugs!

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Laurie April 9, 2019 - 1:01 pm

I love your Fiestaware! I inherited my grandmother’s set that dates back to the 1930s. I use it for “occasions” like birthdays or holidays. It’s so pretty and colorful.

I do the same as you with ideas for blog posts. In the spirit of minimalism, I should go through my list and just delete some of the notes I thought would make good posts. As I write more, I find that my voice has changed and topics I once thought would be good no longer seem interesting.

I think it is easier to get rid of “stuff” than ideas.

Can’t wait to read your 34 posts from the remaining ideas!

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Lois Flowers April 15, 2019 - 8:54 am

I know what you mean about your voice changing, Laurie … I feel like mine has too in various ways. What color is your Fiestaware? I love mine too … I keep the dinner plates in an open plate rack so they are easy to reach for at breakfast time. 🙂 Hugs, friend!

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Barbara Harper April 9, 2019 - 6:49 am

I’ve been avoiding that book because I am not a minimalist, either. But you’ve inspired me that perhaps I may be able to glean some good things from it. And I do enjoy decluttering and getting rid of things some times. Besides clearing some space, it’s fun to rediscover those things we’d forgotten about. Recently I found a treasured recipe in my grandmother’s handwriting. The recipe is so inexact that I may never use it (“Use 3/4 stick of butter or the whole stick.” What?!) But it’s still a treasure.

I have a few partial blog drafts and a whole list in the notes app on my phone to perhaps develop into future posts. I know what you mean about going through them – some bring a smile, a “What was I thinking,” a “Nope,” or a “Maybe,” and some spark new thoughts and excitement.

The aging/middle-aged posts sound interesting!

I know what you mean about living and writing in the moment. My mother-in-law lived with us for five years and just passed away in January. I had been frustrated several times with not knowing when I was going to be able to write and having to just use individual moments. Oddly, I have done less writing since her passing. The problem now is so much to do around the house, it’s hard to know how to divide my time between writing and other activities. I’ve been praying for wisdom on both fronts.

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Lois Flowers April 15, 2019 - 8:52 am

I’m so sorry for the loss of your mother-in-law, Barbara. I think you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned praying for wisdom about all this … I don’t think we can ever go wrong when we do that. I use the notes app my phone too … it helps me remember thoughts I have when I’m away from my laptop. And I love that you found one of your grandmother’s recipes in her handwriting … what a special gift, even if the butter measurement is a bit vague! So nice to hear from you last week! 🙂

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Michele Morin April 9, 2019 - 6:40 am

I love hearing about other peoples’ writing process because I am truly haphazard with notes scribbled on little pieces of paper and in the margins of my planner, and never more than a week or two ahead of the present moment. Thirty four seeds that will eventually grow into blog posts is a great treasure, and you encourage me!

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Lois Flowers April 14, 2019 - 3:47 pm

I’m the same way with the notes on various papers, Michele. Especially church bulletins … I won’t deny jotting down notes for a blog post during a sermon every now and then. 🙂 Judging by your writing (both quality and quantity), I’d say your process works great!

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