WMUTeach

I have no magic solutions either. But when any space, whether it is sewing room, bedroom, kitchen, living room or garage starts to bother me and my eyes see mess. I stop! Right when I realize the state of my space is awful and messy, I take time to clean up. Ten to fifteen minutes is more than enough time to "clean up the mess." I begin by putting away materials not needed for the project I have at hand. It start with large cuts of fabric, tools, then scraps. I put all of the materials for one project together. If multiple projects are going on, put all of the fabric, pattern or blocks together in a pile, a zip lock bag. Then into a bin of current projects. That will generally give me space to "breath" and I can concentrate on finishing one project before moving on to the next and the next.

I try, emphasis on try, to do a mini clean up at the end of each day or sewing session like many of you have mentioned. Creative minds tend to wander down rabbit trails creating. I honestly have started to gently tell myself to not have so many projects going on at the same time. Even forbidding myself from starting new projects. I have been mildly successful. If the good idea is still there in a few days, by then, I can pursue it. I like the feeling of creating so much, and I suspect the same with many of us, that I get caught up with new ideas, patterns and techniques too easily. The discipline of self-control seems to get hidden in my undisciplined piles of fabric and wonderful ideas. I do find my self-control more often now and that feels good too.

It is now time to clean up after myself so my current projects can get reorganized and finished.