Mrs M
yoda76CLUTTER CLUTTER CLUTTER
September 17th 2007 03:56
Honestly, if there is one thing I have an abundance of, it’s clutter. Why am I blessed with this great gift? I don’t know how it happens but I just manage to accumulate it. And honestly it feels like I’m drowning. Which is why I’ve been away from Orble for so long. I’m trying to get a handle on it.
What do I do? Move to a bigger house? Okay, just putting logistics and realism aside for a minute, I’m not sure space is my problem. Clutter is my problem.
Mr M commented on the weekend that spring has arrived and rightly so we should have a spring clean up. When I point out to him that we were a little early this year and had a winter clean up, he remarks with, “well obviously it didn’t work”. Obviously.
This clutter is really impacting my ability to think clearly. These days I’m erratic at best and at worst just down right forgetful.
Another friend suggested I should go and find one of those ‘self help de-clutter your life and cook a fantastic roast to boot’ books. Who has the time? I’m too busy rustling through my clutter to find the car keys so I can pick the kids, bring them home, make afternoon tea, implore my daughter to clean up her desk. Honestly, how does she expect to do her homework on a mound of bits and pieces? Why does she have so much stuff on her desk? Don’t answer that question.
And also I think, I’m too clever for those self help authors out there. They’re just trying to get my dollars when I’m at my weakest. (No… really? Is that what they do?)
Well there are not getting my dollars. I’m no fool; surely I can de-clutter myself. I have a university degree; I worked high up the corporate ladder...well maybe 3/4; I’ve given birth (does that make me smart?)….three times; I’ve bought a car; I’ve bought a house; I’ve chosen schools; I’ve negotiated with toddlers. I can do this. Get me a pen and some paper and I’ll make a list.
Mr M’s suggestion to this dilemma is “if we get rid of the old CRT television and buy a new flatscreen television that will make the living room look nicer.” Yes, a new television is the answer. How stupid of me.
What do I do? Move to a bigger house? Okay, just putting logistics and realism aside for a minute, I’m not sure space is my problem. Clutter is my problem.
Mr M commented on the weekend that spring has arrived and rightly so we should have a spring clean up. When I point out to him that we were a little early this year and had a winter clean up, he remarks with, “well obviously it didn’t work”. Obviously.
This clutter is really impacting my ability to think clearly. These days I’m erratic at best and at worst just down right forgetful.
Another friend suggested I should go and find one of those ‘self help de-clutter your life and cook a fantastic roast to boot’ books. Who has the time? I’m too busy rustling through my clutter to find the car keys so I can pick the kids, bring them home, make afternoon tea, implore my daughter to clean up her desk. Honestly, how does she expect to do her homework on a mound of bits and pieces? Why does she have so much stuff on her desk? Don’t answer that question.
And also I think, I’m too clever for those self help authors out there. They’re just trying to get my dollars when I’m at my weakest. (No… really? Is that what they do?)
Well there are not getting my dollars. I’m no fool; surely I can de-clutter myself. I have a university degree; I worked high up the corporate ladder...well maybe 3/4; I’ve given birth (does that make me smart?)….three times; I’ve bought a car; I’ve bought a house; I’ve chosen schools; I’ve negotiated with toddlers. I can do this. Get me a pen and some paper and I’ll make a list.
Mr M’s suggestion to this dilemma is “if we get rid of the old CRT television and buy a new flatscreen television that will make the living room look nicer.” Yes, a new television is the answer. How stupid of me.
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Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
Always.
Good to see you writing again!
Comment by JoH
They have an answer for everything, bless them. I suppose they are only trying to help
My suggestion is clear plastic storage boxes. You can label them, stack them away out of sight, and see what's in them without having to open them up!
Don't know where I would be without mine
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Food Slate
p/s...I agree, (new) gadgets can be helpful...!
Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
oh the clutter gremlins have been around your place too? I honestly look at some of the things around my place and wonder what late night store I popped into whilst sleepwalking because I cannnot remember buying it!
The answer? Get one of those mini diggers you can hire for the garden and drive through each room, shovelling it into the cupboards, cement said cupboards closed and you will have a totally clutter free house!
Or you could just pick up the kids, pick up the hubby, pack a few memorabilia and then advertise your house as 'fully furnished' and move somewhere else. To a brand new house. With empty rooms. Where you can start again.
I could be one of those self-help book writers too....
Good to see you Mrs M. I hope your solution lies under the next piece of clutter you pick up.
Ash
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Having lived with the earnest belief that girls were born with the neatness gene - the myth was dispelled once I was married and had three daughters of my own!
Now I'm the ogre - always hounding my betrothed and our band of oestrogen fuelled clutterers to reform and see the light (or at least a pathway from the front door to their rooms).
Mr M gets it right in one respect - the flatscreen (if only temporarily) at least took my mind off the household calamity.
Nice post
MNG
Comment by Aimzster
Reality TV
The Jeepney Stop
First Time Mum
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Your post made me laugh out loud! I am a neatnik deluxe. I do not infinge it on others but I enjoyed Mr. M's problem solving philospohy!
There is a blog I follow that you might find interesting Link here
So good to see you friend. Say hi to Mr. M
Mis
Comment by AmyHuang
Project Job Search
Travel Debate
Travel String
Love Adventures
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Hmmmm......
Hi Joh,
I've got those plastic storage boxes for the kids toys. The kids are good at taking stuff out of them..... I'm just whinging now aren't I?
Hi Lara,
I too have used that excuse.
Hi Ash,
Hi MNG,
4 women in the house....good luck
Hi Aimzster,
I always feel good when clothes come back in fashion. I bought a pair of high waisted jeans probably 10 years ago and now they're back in style. When that happens I tell myself for being clever in saving time and money. does that excuse work?
Hi Mis,
Thanks for the link. I don't think I'm a hoarder yet. I'm probably about 2 piles of clutter away though. My father-in-law was the worst for hoarding. When I compare myself to him I don't feel so bad. Then I look at my brother's house and it is so bare, there's no personality to it. There's a balance Mis, I'm gonna find it.
Hi Amy,
IKEA - apparently they save marriages too.
Thanks everyone for the visit and the comments. Feels good to be back.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Oh that's right.....I put everything on the table and never actually put anything away.
I'm still not sure why I have shoes on my table though. I'd blame the other people in the house.....but that's hard to do when I'm the only one living there.
Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
Um... yeah... Dad had about 20 years on you in which to amass crap...
We're getting there slowly but surely.
yoda76 aka Mr M.
Comment by MelissaA
Fun Facts
I have a good solution to your dilemma having just tried this recently myself, pack up all your belongings and move to the other side of the world!!!
That's when you REAllY find out how much clutter you have and what you need to get rid of!
Right now especially, life is very de-cluttered as I'm living out of only 3 pairs of jeans and a small variety of tops and not much else.
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
I watched an episode of "Clean Sweep" that I never forgot: the guy helping the couple clean all of their clutter out said, " If it's worth holding onto it should be displayed, not packed away in a box in the closet."
Also, for every new piece of clothing I buy, an old piece goes to the Salvation Army, no exceptions...
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Hi Melissa,
So when the spring clean up fails, move to the other side of the world. Do I take my tv or do I buy a new one when I get there?
Hi D,
Thanks everyone for the visit and comments
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
So great to see you back, and with such passion!
I hear you...Every last word, including the male ending. My man has similar solutions to reducing the clutter.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Gotta give 'em points for creative thinking.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by pammy
i'm proud of my self, my room isn't that messy or cluttered,just a few peices of clotheing on the floor and maybe a book of two, that i've just dumped on the floor searching through my school bag
hehe......... i beat adults! at 14 i beat them, with mess!!
great post
pammy
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Good to see you again
Love & stuff
Mrs M