“Mommy has piles of shoes, and Daddy has rows of shoes!”
And with that, my six-year-old revealed deep insight into my life.
In my head, I’m organized. I certainly love the idea of a minimally cluttered house full of neat lines and blank spaces. I’m good at organizing words, dates, activities….stuff? Not so much.
I run most of my life 15 minutes behind schedule, leaving piles of debris behind me as I dash to the next activity.
I used to think my mess was a temporary issue rather than a personality trait. My disorganization has stayed with me through college and home-buying, corporate jobs and staying at home with kids. Finally, I’m realizing that my mess isn’t going away.
Accepting my messy personality has become the first step in doing something about it. Because I know I tend to leave things in piles around the house, I remind myself to take an extra minute to put things away.
When I’m stressed, or sick, or tired, or busy, the clutter starts to take over my life again. Rather than turning to shame, I view my mess as a handy diagnostic tool:
- Have I overscheduled?
- Am I depressed?
- Do I have too much stuff?
- Do I need some extra help to get things done?
Sometime my mess shows me a problem that needs fixing. Sometimes it means I’ve reordered my priorities for more time to play or rest.
Either way, I’m learning to accept my mess and the lessons it has taught me. I’ll still tidy up before you visit. Just don’t open the closets.
Well said ! And true for many of us. So join the club and continue what you do so well – to make the people in your life the main focus. Any messes in your home will just feel homey, because they’re like our home.