I’m not a terribly organized person. While I don’t live in filth, you can bet at any given time, there is going to be some shit laying around. I blame much of this on the other people in my house who insist on placing everything they own (notebooks, writing utensils, business cards, bras, laptops, dirty dishes, magazines, etc.) on the bar in the kitchen. It drives me crazy and as my husband likes to say, “you can get there with a putter.”
I’m trying to de-clutter. Several years ago, when organizational guru Marie Kondo’s book first came out, I purchased it with high hopes. This book was changing people’s lives! As it turned out not much “sparked joy,” but the thought of getting rid of it all stressed me the fuck out. What if I needed it later? I stuck that book back on the shelf and continued to gaze longingly into my closet at clothes which no longer fit.
Recently a friend told me about something she was doing to get rid of the useless crap laying around her house. For each day of the month, she threw or gave away that many items. This seemed doable and at the end of the month I would be minus more than 400 things I did not need.
I started with great zeal. I mean, who can’t give away one thing? How many BBQ sauce packets does one need anyway? I continued for the whole month. It did become harder as I reached about day 20, but I persevered. There was a noticeable improvement in my house.
I also got my daughter and husband in on the act. They too started strong, but by about day 12, I lost them. That was okay. They at least managed to clean out their closets and some crap in their kitchen “catch all” baskets.
I’ve decided I’m going to attempt this cleaning method on our storage area in the basement. We moved four times in four years. By the end of that fourth move, I was done and didn’t have the energy or desire to unpack and organize a bunch of shit. That space is a hot mess and taunts me every time I go to the basement to retrieve something. It has been a disaster for nearly eight years. The time for organization and purging has come.
I dream of renting a dumpster and just throwing it all out, but the tree hugger in me won’t allow it. I know there is good stuff down there people can use. I need to donate it. Also, what if a Tiffany lamp mysteriously found its way into a box of old Christmas decorations? It happens all the time on Antiques Roadshow. I wouldn’t want to throw that out. I could retire early! Alas, I’m much more likely to find a print of “Dogs Playing Poker.”
I envy minimalists. I honestly don’t know how they do it. I’m sentimental about everything. I have boxes of school stuff from my daughter and would never part with any of it. I also have letters my husband wrote me while in Army Basic Training and tons of old photographs. If I could just figure out how to keep all that stuff more neatly while still getting rid of my husband’s favorite Ill-fitting, tie-dye t-shirt from college (think Will Ferrell in the SNL “More Cowbell” sketch). Seriously, I have tried to throw it out a dozen times and he always catches me and hides it away. I’m burying him in that damn thing. Let mourners comment about his questionable taste. For the record, I love a good tie-dye, but this is the ugliest one ever. I give up!
What I know is, organization is not for the faint of heart. I’m also pretty sure there is a gene involved and I’m missing it. My granny kept everything. Until a recent move and purge, my mom had floral suits with shoulder pads. I fear if I don’t change my ways, I could be approached for a reality show that is none too flattering. So, I will attempt to nip it in the bud—or at least get rid of the stuff that people are going to gossip about when I die. So long Tae Bo VHS tapes! It’s been real.
Follow me on social @kyspiritsgal or check out previous blog posts at www.kyspiritsgal.com. Cheers!
Angela Traver
What is this blog about? Well, it's a general blog, but it is also a very specific blog. If you get that reference, you get a gold star! I have been a public relations professional and writer of press releases for more than 20 years—primarily in the booze biz. I decided to do some writing for fun and embrace the humor that gets me through most days. Hopefully it will make you chuckle—or at least smile. I’m a certified crazy magnet, and more than a little nutty myself, so buckle up. Also, I have two vices—profanity and red wine/whiskey. You’ve been warned. It should also be noted, that I’m a HUGE Bob & Sheri fan. I’ve been a listener for more than 20 years. This opportunity is a dream come true and it may have made me cry. That being said, I cry at everything. If you are into booze, dogs, food and/or knitting, hit me up on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter (although I’m terrible at Twitter and it scares me) @kyspiritsgal. You can also find all my previous blog posts at www.kyspiritsgal.com.
