For years my husband was a Boston Red Sox season ticket holder. Before you start wondering if we have a money-growing tree in our backyard, the tickets were affordable for several significant reasons. One was that he purchased them before the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004. Another reason is that it was the “tenth man” package which meant it was tickets for only 10 home games each year. Most notably, the seats were “obstructed view”. My husband never minded...he was happy to be there rooting his team onto victory and he often told me that “any seat at Fenway Park is a great seat!” You may have found yourself in a similar situation over the years, whether by choice or not. Perhaps you purchased concert tickets not knowing that your seats were located behind the stage - the true definition of obstructed view! Or you got a great deal on an oceanfront suite at a resort because there were palm trees standing in the way of you and your view of the waves. For me, I recently encountered an obstructed view situation which pushed me into taking action. Allow me to explain...
Every time I entered my walk-in closet, I was greeted by stacks of sweaters on one of the lower shelves. For some reason, I had made the decision years ago to make my sweaters easily accessible and I put my purse collection on the top (highest) shelf. Despite the fact that my sweaters were organized by color and season, the system that I created never really worked for me. I change purses far more frequently than I rotate through wearing my entire sweater inventory, yet every time I wanted to get a purse, I had to get a step stool, reach way up high and get past the stacks of sweaters that were obstructing my view. I finally had enough of this situation when I realized I wasn’t tall enough, even with the stool, to reach the red purse I wanted to use for going to Christmas Eve Mass. What resulted was a massive purging of sweaters, sweatshirts, and anything else that was in the way! I ended up doing the same thing with my dresses, suits and blazers. As I held up each item, I asked myself a few key questions: “Do I still love this?”..."Will I ever wear it again?”..."Is there someone else who could use this more than me?” I ended the year 2019 by making a very large donation to a local women’s shelter. I kept the dresses on the hangers with the dry cleaning tags on which I was told meant that they could be easily given away without requiring any sorting or cleaning. My closet no longer has an obstructed view situation, my purses have been relocated to the lower shelf where they are beautifully displayed and easily accessible, and my year-end purging project will be a blessing to those in need.
Is there anything in your life that is obstructing your clear vision? Now that the year 2020 has arrived, you will be hearing a lot of people talking about “clear and perfect vision”, “getting your life in focus” and more puns related to the date on our calendars. What does this mean for you? Do you have household clutter that is getting in your way and obstructing you from easily getting to what you need? Are there drawers that are so stuffed that they cannot be opened? Have you been wearing the same old clothes every day because you are stuck in a rut? Are your sneakers and gym clothes buried deep in your closet and so obstructed that it’s your built-in excuse for not getting on the treadmill or going to yoga class? Sometimes we get so used to the obstructed view that we don’t realize how much more clearly we would be able to see and live if the obstructions were finally removed. You don’t have to start big. This is not one of those “go big or go home” situations. Start with a few sweaters or a small pile of books or the snacks shelf in your pantry. Removing the old items will not only make room for the fresh and the new, you will instantly feel lighter and gain clarity and focus.
For me personally, my avalanche of donated sweaters and dresses has sparked a movement! A revolution! My husband cleaned out our Rolodex and removed a huge pile of old addresses and names. Our sons decided to send their old notebooks and books to the recycling bin. We brought in a contractor to repair the things that have long been on our “house projects to do list”. It is truly a great feeling to lighten your load and create a more simple, organized, cleaner and clearer home and life for yourself.
My wish for you is that this new year (and new decade) will be the one in which you are living your best and healthiest life. If you want to save a few bucks and purchase an obstructed view seat to a ballgame or a concert, I am okay with that. I just hope that if there is anything standing in your way of living a life with perfect 20-20 vision and clarity, that you find it another home.