When I think about decluttering our house, I simply don't know where to begin.
I think, Maybe I should start in my office because I spend a lot of time there, and it's at the uppermost, farthest corner of the house. Then I can work down from there.
Then I think, Well, maybe I should start in the kitchen because that's where we spend most of our time as a family.
Then I think, But the kids' rooms would be a good place to start because there is a lot of stuff I can get rid of in there, and I'll feel really good about getting stuff out of the house.
Then, my mind says, But I only have about 30 minutes and that's not enough to do any whole room. Maybe I should start with the laundry closet.
So I go to the laundry closet and open the door and take a look at the piles of linens. Wow, I say, Where did all this stuff COME from?. I pull out a set of Ben's sheets and begin to fold them, only to say, You know, I should probably change the sheets on his bed while I'm thinking about it. So I go to his room, pull off the old sheets and stuff them in the (overflowing) hamper and put the new ones on. As I tuck in the edges, I find a few pieces of Lego. I'll just gather all the stray Legos and put them up right now, I tell myself and spend 10 minutes pulling them off the floor and from behind books and from the inside of sneakers. I'm about to toss them in the Lego container when I remember a page in a magazine I'd torn out a week ago, showing a really cute storage system for Legos and other small kids' toys. I race up to my office, start tearing through the pile of magazine clippings, and then think, I'll just file these while I'm here. It'll be quicker that way.
After 20 minutes of filing magazine clippings (which led to creating new storage binders by subject, which in turn led to pulling everything off the shelf housing my office supplies in an attempt to re-organize it, which in turn led to hunting down my Brother P-Touch label maker and discovering it was out of white tape, which led to getting on my computer to place a quick order to Office Depot), it's time to pick up the kids from school.
I take a quick look around. My efforts at "decluttering" have resulted in a pile of linens waiting to be folded and put away, an unhoused stash of Legos, magazine clippings that are half-sorted into messy stacks, and a snowfall of staples, binders, paper, and other detritus.
No wonder I never try to organize anything.
I think part of this is perfectionism, believe it or not. I don't want to take on a job unless I can do it "right." And that means completely, including color-coded labels and cute organization bins. And this is why I have a dozen books on decluttering (that I have not yet read -- I'm waiting for enough free time to read them completely in one sitting!), and a messy house.
I tried to explain this to my husband on the phone about ten minutes ago, but he just hung up on me.
Anyone got any ideas?
I am exactly the same way! Start one thing and end up elsewhere cleaning!! We're so much alike! LOL
Posted by: Robyn | December 22, 2006 at 05:53 PM
My hubby would hang up the phone on me too - lol... just thought I'd let you know!
Posted by: Robyn | December 22, 2006 at 05:54 PM
My hubby would hang up the phone on me too - lol... just thought I'd let you know!
Posted by: Robyn | December 22, 2006 at 05:54 PM
Hi. I have nothing...no suggestions...I am the same way. One day I know that I will find the perfect way to organize (or win some kind of contest where someone comes over to do it for me). I feel your pain. :)
Thank you for the lovely card! Awww...the kids are so cute! Have a wonderful holiday!
Posted by: Ragan | December 23, 2006 at 08:24 AM
If I had the answer I'd have written one of those books you have piled up in your 'to read' list! =) I often think that the pioneers had it 'easy' compared to the day and age we live in...they didn't have to decide what to save and what to keep- they usually were happy to have 'just enough'. This year I have made a pact with myself...every big box that has been shipped to my home full of gifts and goodness, is going back out into the garage full of stuff that is no longer being used. Maybe it will be the jumpstart I need to de-clutter. Hang in there...this time of year (getting and giving) can be a tough one to attack the jobs you have described. I'm sure I'll buy more wrapping paper on sale after Christmas to add to my stash from last Christmas. I think that's why there's an aptly-named term for people like me...'good intentioned'. It's just a bit less intimidating to me than 'Perfectionist'. Merry Christmas, Lain. Best to you and yours this holiday and in the coming New Year!
Posted by: Nitty.Gritty. | December 23, 2006 at 11:34 AM
Your post made me feel so much better! I'd like to think I'm a perfectionist too since I go through a lot of the same things you do. You should see my house right now...I so desesperately need to declutter but I've been stopped a million times with so many other things to do in the process. It never ends! :)
Posted by: maria | December 26, 2006 at 06:36 PM
you simply suffer from "house chores ADD." a well known problem for creative types...
but good luck to ya' anyway... we are all with ya'!
Posted by: hPNY Knits | December 31, 2006 at 05:33 PM
fly lady! fly lady! fly lady! I know she's got something specific about this...I know you already git the closet done, but maybe you can find something else to help (or something new if you already know about her)
Posted by: moki | December 31, 2006 at 11:50 PM
Fly Lady is good but have you ever seen the 30-minute TV show called "Neat"? (I think it's on DIY, the Do-It-Yourself Network). If you can get it .. WATCH IT! She is the organizing guru! Also, I really like the "Real Simple" magazine. It can sometimes have some extraordinary organizing tips.
Posted by: ~Kristie | January 05, 2007 at 05:32 PM