Everyone approaches organization differently. My method tends to involve putting on a frilly nightgown, trying on old jewelry or accessories, and getting distracted playing with newly rediscovered items. (Basically, like a six year old – a method both highly ineffectual and of the tendency to create even more messes).
It’s not by accident that so many of my arguments with Eric are of the “I can’t take it anymore, I’m moving out” variety, and I know I’ve talked about the way clutter affects our lives before.
Today, clip-on flower in my hair, ankle bracelets tinkling away, and more than a few rings on both hands, I started to wonder if maybe I needed to like, grow up and get on the case with this living like an adult thing.
I started to look at the objects in my apartment, currently in the way of being able to use this space for living. I possess the problematic (and maybe unique) ability to remember how I came to own everything I own, and in cases where I bought the item, how I paid for it. As I try to find things to give or throw away, I get consumed with guilt because almost everything was a gift (and I remember the giver and occasion) or something I bought with student loan money or on a credit card which I’m still paying off. Through a baffling combination of sentimentality and frugality, I am troubled with so much stuff that we cannot walk around easily anymore, and I can seriously see, this is mental.
I can’t even show you with a photo, as I’ve lost both my battery charger and the one that Eric lent to me. So just take my word that really, the apartment is in dire straits.
I have a pretty bad hoarding problem, I’m aware of this. I read more about the psychology of it in a three-year-old magazine I’ve hoarded (sweet irony), and it’s a lot scarier than I imagined. I also learned by way of a very old episode of Pop-Up Video that a messy room is an indication of deep depression, and by extension (and subsequent research) that a clean and organized living space contributes to better mental health.
I read that people with messy houses often have attention issues, as they are prone to getting distracted, as I definitely am.
So maybe it’s time to quit being so selfish and consider that I not only live with another person, but that I’m not a child and I kind of owe it to myself to live well too. I have to focus for a while and see this through, for once, and finally get my life in working order.
I’m trying to be realistic, but I’ve watched enough episodes of Clean Sweep, Clean House, and uhh several others, to have a completely distorted perspective of how long the process actually takes. I don’t have a crew of production assistants behind the scenes, but I also don’t have to stop and re-shoot when the lighting gets wrong or I’ve said something dopey in place of a clever quip.
I’m going to combine the approaches I can remember from reality television (oh stupid brain, I owe you some Hemingway) and go with a general Keep, Sell, Toss by way of “figure out the issues behind my emotional attachments to this clutter and break the cycle.”
And hey, I already have a flower in my hair! Just call me Niecy!
Seriously though this place is a dump, and any super organization suggestions you have would be much appreciated. Even if it seems really obvious, just lay them on me because my life is completely out of control.
Leave a Comment