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Allison Larkin

Internationally Best-Selling Author

You are here: Home / beautiful things / Spring Cleaning

Spring Cleaning

April 12, 2010 Filed Under: beautiful things, kindred spirits

I am so touched by all the kind words about last week’s post left in comments, e-mailed and tweeted. I can’t thank you enough! It’s such an incredible reminder of the amazing kindness of people and the power of sharing our experiences with each other. There’s something so comforting and heartbreaking and beautiful in hearing the words, ‘you aren’t alone,’ or, ‘I understand, that happened to me too.’ Thank you!
In the past few weeks, taxes, car troubles, a plumbing disaster, and all the chores and tasks that make up every day life have left me feeling a little out of breath and out of step. So, I’ve promised myself that this week I’m going to take the time to put some sense of order back into our house. The goal is to make our house feel like a home again, instead of a three-bedroom junk drawer/laundry pile, and I have this crazy idea about seeing the surface of our kitchen table again someday. But, since this will involve doing laundry, filing papers, and possibly using one of those vacuum things I’ve been hearing so much about, I need to bribe myself.
Candy is often my go-to bribe for unpleasant chores, but I’m pretty sure I have single-handedly caused a jelly bean shortage in Western New York over the past few weeks, so I’ve resolved to call it quits on the sweets for awhile. Luckily, my dear friend, Shanna Murray, launched her line of hand-drawn wall decals today, and they make the perfect bribe!
Not only do Shanna’s designs (and Shanna herself) lift my spirits, but the decals give me the perfect motivation to get the house in order, so when they arrive I have the space and time to enjoy them.
I ordered this one for our living room.
And this one for my office.
Because, who doesn’t need a reminder now and then?
Do you have any good motivation tricks?

8 Comments

Comments

  1. courtney says

    April 12, 2010 at 9:13 pm

    Those decals are gorgeous! Love them.

    I give myself little mini-rewards throughout the day. For example, I won’t check Twitter until I’ve finished a task. But for big stuff like house cleaning, you’ve got to break out the candy rewards. For REALLY big accomplishments, I’ll give myself a new pair of shoes or something.

    Reply
  2. Sara says

    April 13, 2010 at 1:44 pm

    I’m a fan of dangling an Anthro 1-item splurge as my rewards. That, or I’ll finally bake something just for meeeeeeeeeeeee. Fresh out the oven, chocolate chip cookies, anyone?

    Reply
  3. Sara says

    April 13, 2010 at 1:48 pm

    Oh! One more thing! I reward myself with fresh flowers once I get my house all clean and tidy. I buy a couple of large bunches and then separate them into 4 or more little vases around my house. So pretty, and it makes me ridiculously happy.

    Reply
  4. Wombat Central says

    April 14, 2010 at 1:04 am

    I’ve been enjoying Starburst jellybeans this week. Not as a reward. Because they’re in the house. :)

    Reply
  5. Noelle says

    April 14, 2010 at 1:28 am

    lists, lists, lists. If it’s down on paper, then I have to do it. I used to reward myself with whiskey and ice cream, but I’ve outsmarted myself to know that I’m going to get those anyway. Stupid brain. Always one step ahead!

    Reply
  6. Kyla Roma says

    April 18, 2010 at 12:39 pm

    Those decals are amazing! I’m glad that they’re a sweet little reminder that you’re doing so much good work.

    Honestly, for me my big reward is taking a weekend off here and there. I’ve been working really hard on a bunch of projects lately and I’m getting worn out. This weekend I just stopped and it was beautiful =)

    Reply
  7. Laura Marcella says

    April 23, 2010 at 5:14 pm

    Oooo, those decals are so neat! My motivation tricks are inspiration quotes about writing and life. I have a bunch around my desks and on my office bulletin board. Whenever my eyes start to wonder away from the computer (in an “I want to stop doing this” kind of way!) I immediately read a quote and it gets me back on track!

    Rewards for me usually involve chocolate or a new book!

    Reply
  8. Mickey says

    April 26, 2010 at 5:52 pm

    Actually, no. I’m a horrible self-motivator. No discipline, either.

    I like Noelle’s suggestions, though. Whiskey, ice cream and lists. We should give them a shot.

    Reply

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Internationally bestselling author of STAY, WHY CAN'T I BE YOU and SWIMMING FOR SUNLIGHT. THE PEOPLE WE KEEP coming from @gallerybooks on 8/3/2021

Allison Larkin
Hey, it’s me! #authorsofinstagram (📸: @larkin Hey, it’s me! #authorsofinstagram (📸: @larkinjeremyj)
Back at it, because I knew the longer I waited the Back at it, because I knew the longer I waited the harder it would be to get back at it. Sticking to wide trails with good visibility during wild boar piglet season. #trailrunning
A few days ago, I took this photo of turkeys while A few days ago, I took this photo of turkeys while I was out on a run, marveling at how wild animals do not seem to mind when they see me. Once, I almost bumped into a deer, the way a couple might meet-cute in a rom com. We just didn’t see each other. I’ve always thought it was a fun little quirk. Not even bunnies are afraid of me. But this afternoon on my run, I came up over a hill and was suddenly within fifteen feet of a wild boar. Thankfully, a year or two ago I got curious about the big traps that show up trailside around the bay, looked them up and learned about how fast, ruthlessly aggressive, and unpredictable a wild boar can be. Otherwise, I might have (stupidly) thought I was in the middle of another one of my Snow White moments and been all “Hello there, Mr. Pig! Look at you!” believing that I could quietly observe in wonder. Instead, I knew this was a bad situation. The boar grunted and moved to the center of the trail. It felt very ‘You shall not pass!’ But I did not want to pass. I wanted to get away. I backed slowly for a few moments and then turned and ran faster than I ever have in my whole life. I’ve since learned that there’s no way that boar chased me, because there’s no chance of outrunning a boar (climb a tree if you can). But I know that boar saw me and also wasn’t happy about the surprise, and I had a moment, racing back over the hills I’d just run — not daring to look behind me more than once or twice in fear I’d lose my footing — when I truly did not know what would happen. I’ve been in scary situations, but they were a different kind of scary. I don’t think I’ve ever flat out run for my life before, but that’s truly what I thought I was doing. Right now I am still full of adrenaline and also exhausted and so so thankful to be okay.
My lemon is a happy fox. #fruitfaces My lemon is a happy fox. #fruitfaces
I think there’s something about getting older an I think there’s something about getting older and reaching back to the core of who you are. I’ve always been at my happiest when I’m up in a tree.
Portrait of the bestest girl. Stella may be slowin Portrait of the bestest girl. Stella may be slowing down, but she’s still exceptionally curious. #dailystelladog #germanshepherd
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