We spent all day yesterday at a Boy Scout Family Campout, hence the lack of posts. We didn’t actually spend the night either night, just went for the day. It was a blast, and it was enough.
So today I’ve just now been thinking about my new task for the week. At first, I’ll admit, my mind was blank. I have so very far to go to get this house completely in order. I’m also not feeling on top of things. This past week was pretty normal, which was nice after the week of the wedding, but with me being sick for two days, I still feel a little “out of control.” The laundry check being part of my evening routine worked very well, but it still feels like I could completely forget about it and go days before I remember that I was supposed to do that. Basically, it is nowhere near a habit at this point.
So what to add? I’m feeling the clutter-creep. I don’t think I’m staying on top of it or being as aware as I should be. Just today I realized that something of my daughter’s had been sitting outside her door for several days. In the course of a 5 minute walk-through, I had put it there because she was napping. But then, I never moved it into her room, or asked her to. When I was consciously looking, I saw it and realized that I HAD noticed it many times, but hadn’t thought to stop and take care of it. This is what scares me. It’s my normal, old habits happening.
I thought that maybe I should add an additional 5 minute check to my evening routine. And then I realized something. I was thinking about appearances. I was thinking about how I would come across on the blog. I didn’t want to admit the truth, which is that I haven’t been as focused on my 5 minute pickups as I should. I’ve done them, looking around and picking things up. But I haven’t been focused enough. Sometimes I’ll sit to write my daily checklist post and I’ll think, “yeah, I did that.” Instead of adding an additional pickup time, even though I think that eventually I should, I need to renew my focus on the one I already do.
This week, I’m going to physically get up off of my behind in the middle of my daily checklist posts and have a totally focused 5 minute pickup time.
I have to admit when I’m slacking. That’s what this blog is about. Yes, my house has been sooooo much better than it used to be. Yes, the haphazard 5 minute pickup times were making a difference. But the clutter was creeping. I wasn’t being as conscious in my effort as when I first added that task. So, I’m working on it, again.
I’ve said many times that if you’re looking for a place for advice on getting your house organized, this really isn’t it. What I hope you will get is honesty from someone who struggles at least 10x more than the average person. Someone who has real issues and has real agony over not being able to keep my house in order.
I can’t worry about impressing anyone. This process that I’m going through is about being honest with myself. I have to keep refocusing, because it’s so easy with my personality to lose that focus.
Susan says
Congrats! The truth is hard to admit so many times, and not only are you doing self-evaluation, you are posting to the world about it. That takes a lot of courage (and the desire to be accountable!) It's really hard to change life long habits. You're doing an awesome job and still making headway and improving your surroundings! I know you aren't out to impress – but I must admit, I *am* impressed – as a slob, I know how easy it spirals out of control. I need to *re*clean off my coffee table today. 😉
Donna Froggatt says
Hey Dana! I’m reading through all your posts from beginning and am here at present… Just wanted to say I’m enjoying reading it… Hoping some of your mindset will ‘rub off’ on me! Just want to say that I LOVE YOUR HONESTY! You are doing great and I realize it is now April 2015 so you must be far ahead of where you are here in 2009! I am fairly good at keeping certain things up but paperwork is my biggest challenge… It’s not so bad that it would even take a long, long time to pick up but my thought is ‘why bother because it’s just gonna end back like it is UNTIL I change my habits and find systems/routines for keeping it picked up! I’m good at cleaning the dishes after dinner but just CANNOT seem to make myself go any further in cleaning up… like putting them all away and wiping counters etc. Anyway that my friend is why I’m here reading your journey…. Thanks for sharing it! All the best! Donna
Atia says
Oh Dana,
I feel your pain, it’s hard doing something you’ve never done before & staying accountable when its so easy to fall back into bad habits. One piece of advice I learnt from Karen Kingston’s “Clear your Clutter with Feng Shui” was to drop the word ‘should’ from your vocabulary as it’s a very dis-empowering word & replace with will or won’t. Also remove ‘can’t’ too because she says that if you do a job using the word ‘should’ it kills the joy in completion & if not completed said task then you’re left feeling guilty… see totally dis-empowering! Your doing brilliantly by the way & thank you for your honesty x
Jinjer says
You probably don’t read new comments on posts from 12 (!) years ago, but in case you do, please know that your blog is still inspiring and motivating people. I just got all my dishes washed AND put away PLUS I swept the floor. Woo hoo! And yes I’m reading your blog backwards, as instructed. So glad I found it!