While lots of folks were out buying stuff this past weekend, I spent hours purging. We cleaned out the garage and installed a ceiling storage shelf. I can now open my car door without hitting anything. I combed the backyard, picking up toys and raking. I had my son sort through his massive collection of water guns and water toys and reduced it down to one bin. I cleaned out the kitchen and stripped the wallpaper off the wall to prep it for painting.
What does this have to do with writing? I cleaned and organized my email and writing folder. I keep emails of contests and anthologies. I missed several of them, but I still had the notes. I sorted various stories, articles, and critiques into their proper folders, and organized images.
While I'm doing this all physically (and digitally!), it helps to tidy me up mentally. The cobwebs have been brushed away, and I've got all this new space. Space for potential stories. I've had so many pop up in my head this past weekend.
Plus it gives me room to rev up and finish off my current WIP. It's been slow-going lately, and perhaps it's because I was feeling mentally crowded. So much to do, so little time.
Yet now I see I can do it all. I've made lists and scheduled time slots. Funny how a neat house and a few lists can make everything seem so clear.
How often do you purge and organize?
