Finish Stuff Friday is a concept I came up with last year. It is more than a hash tag, it is a lifestyle choice. Seriously though, it is something I came up with as a means of pushing me to get through those niggly jobs which linger. You know the ones you avoid doing and pass from week to week for months on end. Those types of jobs.
In simple terms, it is a way of freeing up your mind and your weekend for fun stuff. Oh and reducing that to-do list by a couple of items each week, making that lighter too.
Finish Stuff Friday
I started it back in August last year when I started getting fed up of seeing unfinished jobs or materials for a task cluttering up my work space. I decided that I needed a plan of attack to get things sorted and on a good track. However, I do also love going out enjoying the nice weather. This might have been part of the problem as I believe “things will always be there tomorrow” …and the next day and the next, as it turns out.
A long time ago I pledged never to let chores take over the weekend and to make sure it was a time for fun and activities. This part I had to a tee. My Friday is a pretty flexible day of the week for me so it became Finish Stuff Friday.
Of course if you want to join in, you can do Finish Stuff Friday on whichever day works for you. The reason I like Friday is that it give me that closure to the week and sets me up for a weekend with a free mind and time to play. Without having to have the weight of things I should be doing while I am in fact out wandering the countryside (or similar).
Knowing what needs doing
Starting out, it seemed like I had so many things to do. It initially looked like I had done nothing for the last 12 years, which is totally not the case! What I had to do was to identify the things which were getting in the way. The bits and bobs which I sometimes didn’t even write on the list, but knew needed doing. One of these was re-upholstering my kneeling chair.
I had bought it when I was having trouble with my back around April and in August, it was still sitting there in a sorry state with the new foam and fabric slumped next to it. I think I was thinking that it was going to be a messy and time-consuming job. This meant that I was saving it for when I had “more time”. This, as I am sure you are aware only arrives when you make the time. And that is where Finish Stuff Friday took hold.
Having finished my cleaning, I brought everything downstairs along with my tools for the job. I had three hours and I was going to get this job done and dusted. No matter what it took.
To my surprise (and delight!) it only took around an hour and a half. It was a big tick on my list and meant that there was no longer a pile of stuff waiting to be sorted.
A weight off your mind
Although we think we’re not thinking about these jobs, they are there. Taking up a bit of room at the back of your brain, waiting to pop up and you to feel guilty about it. The instant feeling of relief and accomplishment I have felt from getting things done has been magical. Not only do I know I am getting through things, it spurs me on to do more as I know I can do it. Plus it sets me off for a weekend with free time and no lingering thoughts of stuff needing doing. I am now confident that things will get done.
Letting jobs hang around is like not doing your laundry for months, there will always be a reminder there.
One thing leads to another
Having implemented Finish Stuff Friday almost every week since that fateful day in August, I have accomplished a lot. That accomplishment has led me to get a boiler fitted and redo our bathroom – something which has actually been on my radar for about ten years, I’m embarrassed to say. Well, I’m not really embarrassed, just amazed that we got so used to things the way they were.
We are now finally getting through bits on the house with the idea that one day we might move – without a massively hard slog to get everything shipshape last-minute. It has also pushed me into making the calls to get quotes (another thing that can linger on that list).
Clearer house, clearer head
You’ve heard about how decluttering and organising is key to a clearer mind, it certainly is. Making the decision to get through all the things you need to means that you do tidy up, decorate and make your home that relaxing space. You don’t have to look at semi finished projects or things to be sorted. You have time to do the things you enjoy because the other bits are taken care of.
Get on board the good ship Finish Stuff Friday
The progress I have made is so good that I would love for you to join me! I post about Finish Stuff Friday every Friday – obviously! – and encourage my friends and followers to share what they will be finishing that day. It means that we have that bit of accountability too, which goes a long way to motivating you to do what you say you will.
If you’re up for it, give me a big “YES” and head over to Twitter to share on #finishstufffriday.
Don’t get me wrong, I have plenty of jobs left to complete on my Finish Stuff Friday so don’t feel put off that I have a head start. There are always going to be things, it’s about getting them done that counts!
My next job is sorting out my studio and spare room. Decluttering, decorating and redesigning. No mean feat and will go on for many a Finish Stuff Friday, I am sure, but one step at a time will get me there in the end!
Will you be taking on Finish Stuff Friday for 2019? What job will you start with?
Let me know in the comments below.