Me: Hello, class!
You: Hello, Ms. Nony!
Me: Today I am sharing an object lesson with you.
That’s right. An Ob-ject Le-sson is a lesson that helps you understand a concept by showing you how that concept works in a different situation. A situation you can see.
Do you see the cluttered car in the picture above?
You: (Nod head silently, with great energy and interest.)
Me: That is our oooollllddd car. The one we used to drive. The one our family enjoyed so much for several years and that took us back and forth to the swimming pool all summer long.
Do you like to swim?
OK. I’m done writing in my teacher voice. If you weren’t reading all that with a teacher voice in your head, I’m sorry for the confusion.
Anyway, we just bought a new (to us) Suburban to replace our much-loved ’97. When it was time to get the old(er) one ready to sell, we had to clean it out.
That’s right. The picture above is NOT staged for the purposes of this lesson. Let’s just call it a teachable moment.
Anyway, it occurred to me as I sweated and decluttered and vacuumed and scrubbed that it’s basically the same concept as my crazy Master Bedroom Saga. I would never-ever-ever transfer all the . . . ahem . . . stuff from the passenger-side floorboard of my old Suburban to the passenger side floorboard of my less-old Suburban.
No, I want to enjoy the scrubbed-and-vacuumed-by-someone-other-than-me beauty for as long as I possibly can.
That’s right. I’ve been using the ’01-car-smell and the absence of stuff to help me remember to properly threaten anyone who dares open his/her backpack before we get home.
Knee-deep-in-clutter I don’t see. Open spaces I do see.
It’s strange, I know.
It’s the basic concept behind removing EVERYthing from the master bedroom.
To inspire myself. To help me see the room.
To break the clutter cycle. Or at least pause it.
Because I’m under no delusion that I will never again have a messy bedroom. But if this project is anything like all the other ba-jillion decluttering projects I’ve done . . . after this extreme purge it will be easier next time.
And then even easier the time after that.
And I plan on enjoying the pauses.
So while I was reading this post, the whole time I’m thinking, “Oh, I’ve got this great meaningful comment to make. And I’m going to point out that it’s not only not quitting, but also the accountablility of a blog that has helped.” Because clearly I know your life/mind/reasoning better than you. And clearly I have ADD, because I couldn’t concentrate solely on reading your post, but instead was already formulating my meaningful response. But the truth is that I think we’re conditioned to think that this certian list of things is what equals success in life. Excitement, accountability, determination, and BAM, you’re succesful at whatever you’re trying to accomplish. But I’ve been excited, accountable, and determined. And still fell flat on my face when trying to lose weight/keep my house clean/declutter/insert-important-task-here.
The reeeeeally important thing is that you ARE sticking with it. Even when you’re discouraged. Even when you eff up. Even when you start back at square one. For the hundredth time. Of maybe that’s only me, but either way. Old adages are just that for a reason. So I say. “If at first you don’t succeed, try try again.” Or fry fry a hen. Whatever makes you happy.
p.s. I’m kind of partial to your “failures”. It’s what sets you apart as a human, as opposed to stepford wives who have it all figured out and explain it like it’s a science. When it’s not. It’s life. And life is messy, and hard, and sometimes it just ovetakes you.
This comment made me giggle. But it was meaningful, too! I promise!
I aim to please. 🙂 But really. I meant it.
Heather, thanks for this: <>
I took 3 years off to have cancer and a hysterectomy and recovery (that sounds blunt but “I was unable to function for 3 years because of multiple illnesses” is too mealy mouthed) and my house reflects that. Sure, I still managed to do things, like get the girls to school, make food, and pile all the paperwork in a laundry basket to “take care of” later.
I always felt like there’s something wrong with ME when it’s not, really, is it? It’s just life and all the crap that goes with it. Some people are really really good at decluttering or never letting clutter take hold in the first place. I have a good friend whose house is ridiculously neat and I’d always apologize for being messy. She assured me “It’s not messy, it’s lived in, there’s a difference. Your house is happy, that’s what’s important.”
I WAS listening with the teacher voice in my head. You crack me up! Thanks for being so real. It’s encouraging and inspiring. I appreciate you. Seriously.
My car is a battlefield — sometimes in more ways than one! My children’s pattern is to take stuff in the car to play with or to eat, and leave it there. We have shoes, jackets, books, crayons, pencils, wrappers, you name it. So I decreed “nothing in the car for a week.” I did make an exception or two out of necessity, but I have also really reminded them about bringing things back in to the house. So far my car is staying clutter free. I am trying to figure out how to make the “week” into “forever.”
Great post. Great comments, too. Love, Mom.
I love the pause idea. I feel like having it done, even if it’s only for a short time, gives me hope. If I did it once I can do it again. And if I get better and it lasts longer every time, then that’s progress. Which gives more hope! Thanks for being real!
Good luck with keeping the new car clean. The one thing that helps keep me sane when it comes to the Explorer is that I know it will be cleaned out when we get gas. That might be the only time(usually), but it is coming. And toys do not stay. If they are left, they disappear. Usually when we get gas.
Thank you for being so revealing, it is an encouragement..
I just had to sa I SOOOOO get the statement
“open spaces I do see, knee deep clutter, I don’t see”
the most prfound slobby statement ever I woudl say 😛
Knee-deep-in-clutter I don’t see. Open spaces I do see.
I suppose I could take the time to quote you prpoperly…
OMG, this is so me right now.
I have three (love em to pieces) messy boys and HAD a minivan. I had them empty the beast out to trade in on a magnificent creature of black and shiny emptiness.
Never have I nor will I own any vehicle so wonderful and clean.
I am sure there will be a something left behind in the next couple of years before they begin to drive. One boy is only 3.75 years old. But I will be diligent and keep the towels on the floor (no floor mats, weird) and my lint roller handy.
We will treat this truck with respect!
Thanks for the light you shine Nony!