Addicted to Inspiration

This might sound weird, but I think I have an addiction to being inspired.  Sure, that sounds like it should be a good thing.  And it is.  As long as, like with anything, you know when to say when.  Here’s the thing.  During my great big purge-o-rama, I’m falling in love with my home again.  Not because I’ve updated anything, just because it’s being stripped of all its clutter.

It’s calmer.  And I look around and love the way it is.  Well, I’d be lying if I said there still aren’t things I want to change and update.  Ahem, the seashell sinks with brown, swirl, fake, marble counters. 

But, what I’m finding is, that I get lost in all the inspiration that is available to us.  That it makes me want to keep redoing and redoing.  When in actuality, I look around and I like what I see.   {When it’s clean that is.}

So lately, I’ve tried to be uninspired.  To be content with what’s in front of me.   Because being too inspired was creating a list that was never getting done and weighing me down.

Don’t get me wrong.  I will forever be inspired by a beautiful space and will probably forever be changing things around me.  It’s my thing and a part of me.  I’m just trying to moderate it a bit.  Think about what’s really worth my time, so I don’t spend too much time thinking about doing this or that and missing out on other things. 

Crate of Crayons

Looking for the right color of crayon was like looking for a needle in a haystack at our house.  The old system was a scattered pile of crayons in a plastic shoebox.  Easy storage, yes.  User friendly, no.

About a year ago, I tucked away an idea I saw on Little Lucy Lu and was reminded of it when I saw a similar post at A Thoughtful Place.  Color coordinated cups of crayons.  Why didn’t I think of that?!  My son’s first grade teacher has a system like this in her classroom too.  So smart.

My quest to reclaim the plastic shoeboxes for my closet, inspired me to finally tackle this little project. That’s how I ended up organizing my washi tape too.  Who knew those shoeboxes would sprout so many other projects?

For my version, I recycled a clementine crate, covered it with contact paper and used 4 oz. mason jars. 

This little clementine crate went from this…

…to this.

One side says, “dream in color” and the other…

…“color your world.”

It was kind of therapeutic to sit there and color coordinate the crayons.  My husband and I were laughing because there we were, sitting in chaos, but I was spending my time on the very important task of color coordinating crayons.  But hey, even the smallest organization projects are a step in the right direction.

Bonus, it was another purging moment.  Sent this gallon-sized bag of crayons to my son’s classroom.  We might have had a bit too many crayons…

Washi Tape Org {if you love it, put a ring on it}

It’s funny how organizing one space, can lead you to another, which leads you to another.  It’s a good/bad thing.  Suddenly you’re organizing three spaces, but haven’t finished one.  Anyhow, unloading craft supplies out of plastic shoeboxes so I could use them as actual shoeboxes, lead me to this light bulb moment.

Washi tape.  So fun, so versatile, so easy to lose.  Just pop them on a book ring.  You can find them at office supply stores or the office section of your favorite store.

The rings also allow you to color coordinate them, which is nice.

I love that I can leave the roll on the ring and still be able to easily grab a piece of tape.  Super user friendly.

Whether your throw them in a bowl or hang them on a hook, the rings keep them together for easy access.  One more mini organizational victory.  Yippee!