This morning, my Slob Brain registered my own annoyance that there was one-too-many phones on my kitchen counter.
For two days, there have been two phones in that space.
But lest you think two days isn’t that bad, I should admit that there has been one-too-many phones in that space for months.
And months.
A Phone That Doesn’t Work Even a Tiny Bit = One Too Many Phones
We rarely use our landline anymore. Only my mother and my mother-in-law call it, and they immediately call our cell phones when we don’t answer that one.
We shouldn’t even have it anymore, but were talked into turning it into a part of our cell phone plan so we wouldn’t lose that number (that number which no one calls . . . ), so we’re stuck with it for another six months.
So when the phone completely died, I didn’t stress.
But I also didn’t pitch it.
It was only when I suddenly saw another much-less-likely-to-die phone sitting on my bathroom counter that I realized I could use that phone in our landline jack.
And it was a week after I went through the hassle of unplugging the completely-useless phone and plugging in the not-so-useless phone that I realized my counter space was being taken up by something completely and totally useless and already replaced.
Ugh.
I’m choosing to celebrate that I finally took the two seconds to throw out the dead phone. Go me.
I don’t want to talk about why the good phone was sitting on my bathroom counter. Or how long it might have been there.
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--Nony
Dear Nony,
Thank you. I just got up from my chair where I was reading email and threw away the completely useless phone – and the completely useless caller ID thingy next to it – that has been on our kitchen counter next to the one that works for slightly more than two days. As in probably closer to 2 years. It’s entirely possible there is still a huge amount of other clutter on that counter, but now there’s actually one spot that is giving me a tiny taste of hope, at least for today.
Just found you recently (your podcast) and for the first time ever I feel like I have someone to turn to for genuine hope and encouragement, not for another new organizing system to try, but simply for me just the way I am AND ALWAYS WILL BE. So grateful for someone who acknowledges that!
The longer clutter sits, the more normal is appears. I have so many things that are clutter than blend into the background. It’s a chore to SEE the item so that I can deal with it.
My issue exactky. I try to invite ppl over as often as possible. Differebt ppl. Because if I noticed that when I started inviting the guy I’m seeing over, I had the place meticulous. But after 18 months….ehhhh. Who cares about dishes in the sink. Not vacuuming. Etc.
I’d be lying if I didn’t say I don’t race through and cram things in odd places, like some groceries I had t out away, were shoved in my dishwasher. But I it’s the little things. Throwing away the phone is a big step to start ya liking the phone zone. On pc of trash at a time.
You are all so inspirational!
no landline here for years. but i do have a cheap dusty phone in our treasure chest that is full of never used appliances, gadgets, and random cables. maybe i should empty it.
Don’t take this the wrong way – but I thought of you when I dumped an almost empty tin of paint and a bottle of VDU (!) cleaner that was rubbish… xx
Don’t put it in the trash! The battery in it means it has to go back to an electronics store for recycling so you aren’t putting toxic waste in the landfills where it can get into the water supply. Staples or Best Buy will take it. It’s small so they’ll take it for free.
A couple of things:
1 – why do you still have a landline? I thought with all of your purging you would have gotten rid of something that’s no longer an essential…but that’s just me.
2 – electronics recycling: this is more for everyone else out there – check your county’s website to see when there will be used electronics recycling events, or if your local recycling center will take old electronics. In New York State (where I live) it mandates that electronics recycling remain free. So if you live in good ole NY – you can get rid of electronics and not have to pay! woot!
This is why: “We shouldn’t even have it anymore, but were talked into turning it into a part of our cell phone plan so we wouldn’t lose that number (that number which no one calls . . . ), so we’re stuck with it for another six months.”
Good idea to check the county’s website.
Another reason to keep a landline is that if you call 911 from a landline, the phone connection precisely locates you. Cell phones can’t do that. Not important if you are able to speak clearly, not so good if you can’t. Some people also prefer the better sound quality from a landline phone. There is no superior choice. We get to make our own choices.
I have the very same, less-likely-to-die, only-for-the-landline (that we have to have because our local co-op requires it for the very cheap Internet and cable) phone. We actually have the ringer turned off because nobody calls it, but the kids know they can dial out on it (like for 911).
Us too. We have a kid who is old enough to be home alone at times but not old enough that we’ve felt the need to give said kid their own cell phone just yet.
that’s a great idea, keeping it in case your kids (or anybody, for that matter) need it in an emergency. we still have a landline number, but no phone currently hooked up to it. because our last phone died… and we won’t mention how long it sat on my bookshelf not working before we finally t got rid of it.
Before I had a cell I baby sat for a family who only had cell phones had mini emergency had to deal with my self scary. When I got cell got number transferred to cell. Good for you for realizing the phone was useless. And taking charge. The longer thongs sit theharder is to recrecognize the problem
In the UK we have to have a land line for the internet.
After a house fire that kind of took us for a ride financially we bought a BEAUTIFUL piece of property for a really good price, problem is beautiful property at awesome price only included a small 3 bedroom single wide mobile home for our family of 5 & we had no more budget to build or buy a modular soo we saved awhile and that to got taken away when we had to install a 30,000dollar septic system so we are back at square one, I love this site because my home with us and a 8,7&3 year old is completely overrun with things we need and have to have so I honestly appreciate everything you have here!!!!!! Here is to learning to love your cluttered self, at least for the time being lol
I had our landline number ported to a Tracfone. In 18 months we’ve had about 3 semi-important calls come through. I mostly use it to call my cell when I can’t find it.
Your podcasts are life changing. Last night I didn’t do my dishes, and I felt out of sorts.
I’m definitely one of your people!!
I want to say how much I identify with your slob brain! So many of your observations about yourself make sense to me. I don’t feel “alone”. Lol. Your take on de-cluttering gives me a perspective that makes sense to my slob brain. Thanks!
You make me laugh (and feel better about myself)….thank you!!!
Counter clutter is the worst! I recently found your podcast & am starting at the first one. Just made it to #100. You & your husband are too cute!! It literally made me smile the whole time. I have learned so much from your podcasts. I identify with you so much!! Never knew there were other “closet slobs” out there. Thank you for putting yourself out there so honestly! Can’t wait to hear more from you & continue on my own journey.
I keep a landline so my kids can call for help if necessary (or anyone else who might need to dial 911 in an emergency). I don’t want someone trying to hold my passed-out self in front of my phone for facial recognition if I need an ambulance lol. My oldest knows my password but my phone isn’t always in the same place either.
After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, land lines were the only thing that worked that day. Cell phones were down or overloaded in the immediate aftermath. I was living in NYC when it happened and remember having to use a pay phone to call my mom. I like the fact that the old land lines didn’t depend on a signal to keep working, but it really doesn’t seem like non-digital land lines are even offered anymore.