It was very convicting to me when flylady was talking about not getting to enjoy being outside or fun times because of our stuff.
I think I'm getting close to being more free than I've ever been. I am so tired, though. I have to tell myself that it IS very hard and it takes MUCH energy when I am "behind." For example, maintaining a week's worth of dust is way easier than months worth. When a month's or more dust has accumulated on my ceiling fans, I have to climb up on several pieces of furniture and wipe down the blades with a damp cloth. If I do it weekly, I can just use my duster with the extended length, and I'm done in seconds.
It's going to be HARD for a while, but once we get to the other side, it will be so worth it and much easier to maintain. My goal is to have a home where people can drop by unannounced without me being embarrassed, to have a home that welcomes me to rest, not a home that scolds me for the many areas that need work and time.
The danger for me is burn out. I get so weary of the hard work that I want to quit and escape. I have to continue so that maybe I can be done once and for all with at least this level of frustration. There will always be decluttering and cleaning to do. I just don't want to feel that my life is enslaved by it, you know?
With that said, I need to go clean up.