This is going to be the most embarrassing thing I've ever done...and worse, I'm doing it to myself. On purpose.
Why? Because I've been promising myself for at least 5 years that I would get through, get rid, get organized, get out of this mess I've created, mostly by just living. And now, my problem is reaching crisis level. No, I am not a hoarder; but my son-in-law says that I am borderline. And that is going to be the last time I use the 'H' word. (Maybe.)
The crisis is: I'm not getting any younger; things that I didn't know could creak, creak when I get up in the morning. My stamina is not what it used to be. I'm in great shape, compared to some that I know, but after a major surgery last year, Dan having cataract surgery a month ago and again, on the other eye next week, my parents death in the last couple of years--and they were great examples to me of how to do things right, my brother-in-law's near death experience this week, (Thank God, he's doing better but he's still in serious condition.) I have come to the realization that I don't have forever. (Yes, I've known for years that I'm mortal. Knowing and accepting that as a for-sure-it-is-coming-fact-of-life are two different things.) So it is time to clean up my mess before I can no longer do it myself.
Here's an example of my problem:
Notice the name of these books? Yeah, (as anyone who knows me will know) when Borders had their final sale a month or so ago, I had to go and...I HAD to buy books while they were CHEAP and these three pertain to this BIG PROBLEM I've been contemplating for a while. So, of course, I HAD to buy them. When would I ever get a chance like THAT again, at THAT price? So they have joined a lot of the other books I have, sitting on the edge of one of my bookcases, cluttering up my life. (Hopefully, when I get around to reading them, they'll help.)
Here's another example of my problem:
You
probably can't tell much about this photo because it is a group of
baskets, sitting in a box, with something on top of them. (I think it's a
file but don't know for sure without going to check. Not that
important right this minute.) Nothing too weird about that, right?
Except the point of buying these baskets was to help organize my office
the last time I decided I had to do something. And now, they are just
part of the clutter--as you will see when I finally have the courage to
post a "before" picture of my office. (Or as you may be able to tell if
you study the background of this photo too closely. Don't do it. I
warn you!) But posting a picture of that BIG PICTURE nightmare is not
going to happen until I'm ready to tackle that project with enough time
to make progress. I'm just not ready for that embarrassment now. But
soon. I'm gearing up!
So here is my new New Year's Resolution, a few months early, and pretty much, the same one I made in 2005, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10 and 11. (Time passes quickly, doesn't it. That's one MORE problem.) But this time, I'm going to embarrass myself totally if I don't actually get after the project and just do it. I'm going to clean up this mess I've made of my little corner of the world. I'm doing it publicly this time so I'll have someone, besides my-lily-livered, can-always-find-some-excuse, or something-more-'important'-to-do-self to answer to.
And that is where you come in, dear reader. What I need from you is encouragement, and jeers if I don't make progress, cheers when I do. (It wouldn't hurt my feelings if you also admitted that YOU have a little bit of clutter you don't want to leave for your kids to plow through.) Wanna join our project with a downsizing, clean-up, I CANNOT DO THIS TO MY KIDS project of your own? Let me know.
Looking forward to hearing from you...
Why? Because I've been promising myself for at least 5 years that I would get through, get rid, get organized, get out of this mess I've created, mostly by just living. And now, my problem is reaching crisis level. No, I am not a hoarder; but my son-in-law says that I am borderline. And that is going to be the last time I use the 'H' word. (Maybe.)
The crisis is: I'm not getting any younger; things that I didn't know could creak, creak when I get up in the morning. My stamina is not what it used to be. I'm in great shape, compared to some that I know, but after a major surgery last year, Dan having cataract surgery a month ago and again, on the other eye next week, my parents death in the last couple of years--and they were great examples to me of how to do things right, my brother-in-law's near death experience this week, (Thank God, he's doing better but he's still in serious condition.) I have come to the realization that I don't have forever. (Yes, I've known for years that I'm mortal. Knowing and accepting that as a for-sure-it-is-coming-fact-of-life are two different things.) So it is time to clean up my mess before I can no longer do it myself.
Here's an example of my problem:
Notice the name of these books? Yeah, (as anyone who knows me will know) when Borders had their final sale a month or so ago, I had to go and...I HAD to buy books while they were CHEAP and these three pertain to this BIG PROBLEM I've been contemplating for a while. So, of course, I HAD to buy them. When would I ever get a chance like THAT again, at THAT price? So they have joined a lot of the other books I have, sitting on the edge of one of my bookcases, cluttering up my life. (Hopefully, when I get around to reading them, they'll help.)
Here's another example of my problem:
You
probably can't tell much about this photo because it is a group of
baskets, sitting in a box, with something on top of them. (I think it's a
file but don't know for sure without going to check. Not that
important right this minute.) Nothing too weird about that, right?
Except the point of buying these baskets was to help organize my office
the last time I decided I had to do something. And now, they are just
part of the clutter--as you will see when I finally have the courage to
post a "before" picture of my office. (Or as you may be able to tell if
you study the background of this photo too closely. Don't do it. I
warn you!) But posting a picture of that BIG PICTURE nightmare is not
going to happen until I'm ready to tackle that project with enough time
to make progress. I'm just not ready for that embarrassment now. But
soon. I'm gearing up!So here is my new New Year's Resolution, a few months early, and pretty much, the same one I made in 2005, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10 and 11. (Time passes quickly, doesn't it. That's one MORE problem.) But this time, I'm going to embarrass myself totally if I don't actually get after the project and just do it. I'm going to clean up this mess I've made of my little corner of the world. I'm doing it publicly this time so I'll have someone, besides my-lily-livered, can-always-find-some-excuse, or something-more-'important'-to-do-self to answer to.
And that is where you come in, dear reader. What I need from you is encouragement, and jeers if I don't make progress, cheers when I do. (It wouldn't hurt my feelings if you also admitted that YOU have a little bit of clutter you don't want to leave for your kids to plow through.) Wanna join our project with a downsizing, clean-up, I CANNOT DO THIS TO MY KIDS project of your own? Let me know.
Looking forward to hearing from you...
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