I’m a little frustrated right now. The final push in getting my office/game room finished is here. My mom is going to be here to help me paint in just a little over a week. I have two of four walls almost completely finished. I have my system down. I’m going back over each wall and getting the last remnants of wallpaper backing scraped off, scrubbed down and washed. There are little bits of wallpaper stuck to the bottoms of my feet and tracked all over the house. My formerly beautiful-to-me-because-it’s-finally-uncluttered office is looking more and more like its old self, which is definitely not a good thing.
It would be different if it was just the things that really can’t be helped. I can’t help it that the daybed and the file cabinet and the bookshelf have to be pulled out into the middle of the room. I can’t help it that the pictures have to be taken off of the wall and laid or leaned carefully all around the room.
I can help it that I haven’t bothered to put the shoes back in the shoe cabinet. I can help it that I haven’t taken those earrings or ponytail holder or cup or baby pumpkin off of the desk and back to their real homes. I can help it that there are walmart bags and hangers and a dirty towel on the floor.
I know it has to be out of order in here while I do this last push. But how many times have I allowed the have-tos to become excuses for the didn’t-really-have-tos? I hear this familiar phrase go through my head: What’s the Point?
As I go through this process, I’m learning that details really do matter. Even though it might not be obvious that I’ve picked up shoes and wal-mart bags in the midst of the other chaos, it will be the difference between a five minute task of pushing the furniture back into place and a thirty minute mass-decluttering project. If I ignore the towel, what else will I not see?
I have a few minutes before I go get the boys. I’m going to do a quick pick-up.
Susan says
It IS hard to break those habits!! I'm there too! It's so easy to walk past those walmart bags or towel on the floor and keep going, while in reality it's a one second job (or less!!) to snatch it on your way through to another area and put the item in it's home (trash or laundry). I've gotten addicted to making my bed and straightening up! I've been having issues this week because it's been so busy! I hope to have some time tomorrow night to slow down and work on some more stuff! I love how real and honest you are on here – very refreshing! You're doing a great job! 🙂