...because we all have our motley moments!


Wednesday, October 29, 2008

clutter is as clutter does

I am the exact opposite of Brystal. Don't get me wrong. I wish I was as organized as Brystal. I'm just not.

Clutter, Clutter, CLUTTER!!!! I can't stand it. I run away any chance I get. Don't I need something at Walmart/Publix/Library/Anywhereelsebuthome? If I'm home, don't I need to check email/cook/play with kids/make a phone call/clean up emergency messes?

I look at the papers/clothes/shoes/books/kids' artwork/photos and wonder where am I going to put everything? What do I throw away? What do I keep? How do other people do it? I feel paralyzed by the enormity of the situation.

I am trying to teach my kids how to organize - Hah! As I'm explaining to them why it's important to clear-up, their probably looking at MY stuff thinking, what's the dealio?

My glimmer of hope is that maybe one day I will be strong enough to just clean everything out and come up with some strategic organizational decisions.

Maybe today's the day.

Yes.

I will start today.

Pray for me.

Seriously.

10 comments:

Donna said...

Maria, I can TOTALLY relate. Paralyzed by indecision is definitely my m.o. There's junk in every corner, and I've gotten really good at disguising it when company comes over...or ignoring it and hoping they will too!

And the thing is, I'm constantly working on it. It just doesn't get better. And I don't shop much, I think I just need better storage and good systems for putting things away RIGHT AWAY.

I'll get my kneepads out if I can find them...this is gonna take some serious prayer!!!

Bryssy said...

Maria! I am SO not that organized! RM and the kids are aces at helping me stay UNORGANIZED. I get everyone's clothes put away in the correctly labled areas and they just pull them out, all willy nilly. I drives me up the wall. So, as much as I try to organize, they are pretty successful at undoing all my hard work.

Bryssy said...

Maria! I am SO not that organized! RM and the kids are aces at helping me stay UNORGANIZED. I get everyone's clothes put away in the correctly labled areas and they just pull them out, all willy nilly. I drives me up the wall. So, as much as I try to organize, they are pretty successful at undoing all my hard work.

Rachel said...

Maria, I'm right there with you! I run away, too, but unfortunately that means I usually come back home with MORE clutter!

Have you ever been to Flylady.net? I've been on her email list off and on for eight-ish years, and I still have a problem with clutter, but that's mostly because I don't really always follow her instructions. I bet if I did half of what she asked (which isn't that overwhelming, by the way) I would see a huge change around here!

Good luck today, and you're not alone!

Maria said...

Thanks Sistas!
I checked out Flylady.net and I love it! I watched the What's in a sink video. I am starting with the sink!
Thanks again!

Liz said...

Maria, I am not very organized, either, but I have found a solution for dealing with clutter - trash it. Don't get me wrong - I don't throw away pictures or my son's artwork, but I don't mind throwing other stuff away. And donations to the Care Center is also another way I get rid of usable stuff I just don't want anymore.

Donna said...

I'm with you, Liz. We're constantly donating stuff to the Care Center. It's harder to throw away things that might hold some sentimental value. I'm working hard not to attach too much sentiment to stuff, and instead, just treat it as stuff and get over it. The more stuff you have, the more time you spend: cleaning it, repairing it, finding a home for it, replacing it, or moving it out of the way to find that other thing you needed. I can think of better things to do with my time!

Karly said...

Organizing my kids clothes and art supplies/art work could be a full time job. Seriously. When I feel like I have finally gotten on top of things, one grows out of all their current clothes or the season changes. Or I read one of your blogs and get inspired to do all kinds of arts and crafts. Then I have to figure out what to do with all this stuff.

And I throw stuff away. I take pleasure in it. But then more stuff magically appears to take its place.

I am also a piler. A purposeful piler--there is a method to my madness. But I don't think my husband appreciates my organizational style.

Does this flylady make housecalls?

Pam said...

Hi Maria,

I too am a fly baby, but I am such a procrastinator (an on an unrelated note - bad speller) that I haven't mastered most of her tips, but she is great. I do keep my sink clean, and that has decreased my stress greatly!! Good luck. Liz is also right - when in doubt, throw it out!

Carrie said...

A clean house is the sign of a boring person. ~Author Unknown

We are all just way too interesting to have clean houses! ;)