First, let me say that in my non-expert opinion, there is no real definition for normal. If you have in-laws or have been a guest for more than two nights in someone’s home, you know this.
People are all unique.
So, having stated that no one is truly normal, let me define “normal” for the purposes of this blog. My husband recommended that I write this post because it seems that lately, when I refer to non-slobs as “normal,” a misunderstanding happens.
First, you have to understand that . . . I think I’m funny.
I recently overheard someone say condescendingly, “Well, y’know . . . everybody thinks they’re funny.”
My in-my-head response? Yeah, maybe . . . but I really am funny.
I think that my regular readers know when I’m trying to be funny. But new readers might not realize it at first, and could understandably be offended if I refer to something they might do, as something “normal” people wouldn’t do, and therefore they feel like I’m saying they’re not normal.
Confusing enough?
I’ll clarify that . . . I have no desire to be normal. I have taught my children from birth that we have no interest, as a family, in being like other people just for the sake of being like other people. We want to do what’s right, we want to have fun, and we want to be creative. Basically, who cares what other people do?
But, in the interest of helping any new-to-my-blog readers feel the welcoming acceptance that I want them to feel here, I’ll share some examples of what I mean when I call people normal.
Normal people open a can of spinach and immediately throw away the lid.
People like me see the lid hanging from the magnet on the can opener, pull it off, examine it to determine that it was spinach, and then stare into space for a moment, attempting to recall the last time they served spinach.
Normal people trip over a pair of shoes, think “Who left that there?” and feel irritation as they put the shoes away.
People like me trip over a pair of shoes, think “Ugh, I need to move those,” and then forget about them completely until the next time they trip over them.
Normal people walk into the laundry room and think, “When did that stack of clothes fall over?”
People like me use their full body weight to get the laundry room door to shut because that’s easier than sifting through the dirty clothes, used-to-be-clean-until-they-fell-over clothes, shopping bags, etc.
Normal people ask first-time-guests if they would like a tour of their home.
People like me lock their master bedroom door and instruct their children to direct guests to a specific bathroom.
I could go on . . . .
and on.
As I’ve explained before, a big part of this “coming clean” process was me being honest with myself. I had to accept that my brain works differently from those people whose homes seemed to always be presentable.
Not perfect, just presentable.
And I’ll take my brain, with all of its quirks, any day of the week. I’m glad I’m creative. I’m glad big projects and parties and plays energize me and give me tunnel vision.
It’s who I am, and I’m good with that.
But I’m not good with having to open the door only as far as it takes for me to squeeze myself outside and talk to a friend. I’m not good with wanting to cry because I realize that the one load of laundry I actually completed that week contained one-too-few pairs of undies. I’m not good with having enough energy to do a craft project with the kids . . . . but not enough energy to declutter the table before we can start.
So I’m finding ways to make my home livable that work for my brain. It’s one of the reasons I don’t read tons of organizing advice. Generally, the people who love to give organizing advice are the people who love organizing. Their brains are different than mine. While I’ve found some great ideas that I have been able to implement, I’ve found many that only served to overwhelm me.
I know I try to avoid giving advice, but here’s some.
You’re not normal. You’re you. Be you. Enjoy being you, and figure out what works for you.
This doesn’t mean we accept that “that’s just how I am” and quit trying to be better, it means that we accept how we are and find ways to improve our homes that work for us.
Could someone give me a hand getting down from this soapbox?
"Could someone give me a hand getting down from this soapbox?"
Nope…I think you should stay right there…'specially if you're going to be inside my brain while you're there.
I totally get your humor!! And even though I am an anal OCD type freak, I know what it feels like to push a door shut with my full body weight because what behind it is just too overwheming. I also take comfort in knowing there is always someone more effed up than me…is that messed up or what???
Love your comparisons. I'm definitely a "people like me"!
Well said!!!
"Generally, the people who love to give organizing advice are the people who love organizing." Amen. Amen. And AMEN! I've been avoiding THOSE kind of sites since I started my own de-junk process.
Oh, no, you really are funny. *I'm* one of those in the "everybody thinks they're funny" category!
Love it.
I don't give house tours either, and there is only one bathroom available for guests. I do worry that someday there will be an emergency and I'll have to let a guest use my bathroom.
When you find normal let us know.
I would fall into the people like me category too. I also think you are funny!
BRILLIANT! Love it.
Oh I just have to agree on this one:) Everyone is different. I've never found that someone elses way of doing things ever worked for me! I have to be me otherwise I'm miserable.
I'm new to your blog and totally dig your humor. I, too, am in the "everybody thinks their funny" category. Apparently, my humor is a litte too sarcastic for some people and comes off as offensive. Oh well, I think it's funny.
I just found your blog, and I think we may just be long lost twins separated at birth…
This is my life. Thanks for making *me* feel a little less abnormal anyway.
(Normal isn't something I shoot for either).
I've heard about a book that is fantastic for this situation. It's called, "The House The Cleans Itself." Worth a read, for sure.
I found your site by looking for a bathroom cleaning checklist. I LOVE organizing advice! But I am a naturally messy and disorganized person–i love the advice but have trouble with keeping it up. I edited and printed your bathroom cleaning checklist for my three kids. If they each clean the bathroom only once every three weeks, the bathroom will always be clean! I am on day one. I would be surprised it we even make to child number 2/week 2 on the schedule!
HA! I love it!
New follower from the blog hop!
Friending you on GFC.
Stop by sometime!
http://chicksdigcoupons.blogspot.com
HA! Great Post! I'm not normal either
Thanks for posting on the Mystery Post Blog Hop!
Great minds must think alike…. I too am trying to define 'normal' and re-train my brain to take care of the things exactly like you mention.
I started following your blog b/c I saw it linked up to simple mom's project this month & it was only one of a few that was interesting & funny enough to read more than one post!
thank you for your honesty as a slob- I'm married to one- this has helped me decode his rational for not picking up after himself
Um… you're always talking about how you avoid giving advice, but you've come a long way and some of us could use the advice! So many of the things you write here seriously hit home for me. Well written.
Guests don’t even KNOW I have a second bathroom. ‘Nuff said!
If I can add to the conversation, I wrote a similar post awhile back, thinking about the importance of defining what clean looks like to each of us. (My husband and I are very different). It’s here:
http://momsinneedofmercy.blogspot.com/2009/11/messy-monday-what-is-clean.html
I think you are an exact clone of me. I think we might have been separated at birth. You think, act, do, and live the same way I do. You are the first person that i have seen that could put what I do and feel into words. Thank you for opening my eyes to realize that i am not normal, Im me! I love your site and I am hoping that I can kick my butt into gear and get things done around here.
I love that you realized it’s okay to not be normal!
I just found your blog through Money Saving Mom and can completely connect with your sense of humor as well as your struggles with keeping a semi-presentable home. I’m am so excited to continue reading. It feels wonderful to know that there is someone else in the world who get distracted as easily as me! Love your writing!
Welcome, Andi! We’re definitely not alone!
Thank you for telling me the “why’s” behind my behavior. Someone finally gets it…locking the master bedroom door, the library books (loved that post!), all of it.
Also, you are a hoot! I wish you lived by me…i’d invite you over (certain you wouldn’t use the wrong bathroom or peek in my bedroom! Ha!) and laugh and laugh! : )
I just stumbled upon you on pinterest and I am seriously every single one of these things. I literally have had ONE family over to my house in the 3 years we have lived in our home due to this. Most the time I just feel overwhelmed….I think I should continue reading on… LOL
I am so in love with you. I just found you, and I could cry knowing there are other people out there just like me. I always beat myself up thinking I am the only mom in the world who this stuff isn’t obvious to. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!
Welcome, Cari! That’s exactly how I felt when I started this blog!