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The pictures are HORRIBLE! But, they'll at least give you some idea of why I've been away...I've been organizing my studio/craft room/son's playroom! The worst part of this has been that the pictures are of where it's at now. I'm mortified, but in what I am hoping is a "I will never let it get this bad ever again if I show this to the entire world" feeling.
Our basement has been my craft room (though I like to call it my studio to feel fancy) for a few years now. For a while, it was like a showroom or a store...it was SO cool! We have that Owens Corning Basement Finishing system (came with the house) and the walls are sort of like cubicle walls, you can stick pins in them. So, basically my studio is like a giant pin cushion. I can stick pins in the wall and hang things up or stick pins through things into the wall. It's kind of cool.
The problem is that when I got pregnant with my son, my husband wanted to clean everything out - in our whole house. Now, we don't argue discuss money like some couples. (My husband hates it that I think it's arguing. He says we're just discussing things.) We've got a nice little system for money. We "talk" about how clean and cluttered everything is. You might think that you do the same thing with your husband. You tell him to pick up his socks three million times! But, you'd be wrong...because I am the messy one! It feels so counter-cultural to be the messy wife. Aren't I the one who's supposed to be nagging at him because I'm always cleaning up his messes? I don't really like to go against the grain of this gender stereotype, but it all comes down to a few things:
2. I'm a bit spoiled sometimes in that I think I work hard and have to work away from my family (though I'd like to be a SAHM) so I should get to do more of what I want and less of what I don't.
3. I'd rather spend time playing with my little guy than cleaning.
4. I can justify it to myself that it's more important to play with him than clean.
5. I'd rather spend his nap times making stuff.
6. My mom didn't really make us clean. (Sorry Mom. I love you. I don't really blame you, because I'm nearly 30 years old. I should've been able to figure this out by now...I'll get it by the time I'm 50. I. hope.)
7. I have a bit of ADD...especially when it comes to projects of any kind.
8. I'm really bad at keeping up with things that need to be maintained...other than my little boy. I can do kids (and cats, mostly), just not inatimate objects.
Okay, that ended up being more than a few things. I could go on. In addition to my messiness, I'm also great at self justification and procrastination. (Which reminds me, I'm totally going to post my New Year's resolutions...I've just been putting off finalizing them. hehe)
Anyway, I'm trying to change. I'm trying to force myself to put things where they belong, when I'm done using them. But, this room has been forcing my hand. How can I put things where they go, when I don't know where that is?
I decided to tackle this problem head on. I've been sorting and cleaning and purging for about a week now. I know, it's been a week and it's still this bad? I'll admit it. It was a pit! I had started doing all of my crafts upstairs, bringing all the supplies I could find up there and working on them in my living room. Being the person I am, I would absentmindedly leave a piece or two behind in our main living space, again driving my husband to tears (not really, but it's almost that bad).
The funniest part of all of this is that I'm really a good organizer. I can make quick decisions (when in this mindset) of what needs to be kept and what can be thrown/given away, and what kind of space I'll need for what's left over. I'm good at remembering that I should put like items together and close by where they'll most often be used. The problem is that I'm no good at keeping it in that lovely state of order.
However, for the benefit of my marriage, my son's ability to clean up after himself when he's older and my own creativity/sanity, I vow to do better. I'm going to whip this room into shape and keep it neat. You have to confess before you're forgiven, right? Well, I'm going to check that off my list. Since I also work full time, I'm going to take it a bit slower than I would like, to make sure it's done right. I'll be getting back to you by the end of the month, Saturday, January 31st, to show you the result. I promise!
Here's a few more to remind you of how much you've got your life/household together:
-Heather
PS-If anyone wants to confess that they're the messy one, I'd totally heart you forever!
PPS-The pictures were taken on my iPhone. There is no natural light in my basement whatsoever. I was too lazy (after a day of cleaning) to go upstairs and get my camera. Sorry folks.
Posts
7 comments:
Did you see the before picture of my craft space? It was scary! I was doing the "bring it upstairs so I don't have to see the mess anymore" thing too!
It feels good when it's done! Turn on some fun music, that helped me get going ;)
Okay, this is Heather's Mom. I must defend myself and my training skills! First of all, Heather, you are no where near 30. You are just barely over 27.5. If you were almost 30, I'd be almost 49 and I'm just barely over 46! LOL! So.....stop rushing your life away.....it causes things like disorganization!
Secondly, you were supposed to learn by example when I cleaned your room and your brother's room. Did I forget to tell you that part?
Lastly, to all of you out there....please stay tuned because there isn't much that will stop my wonderfully stubborn daughter! Her creativity is incredible! Enjoy!
You are sooooo not alone! It's just that you are WAY more brave than most of us...to post pics and talk about it honestly. I love that you posted this. You make me feel much better knowing it isn't just me! =-)
Heather, I love you dearly! You are not alone...I am very "unorganized" when it comes to my desk and "craft area"...Rod can't stand it...he says all I do is "clutter" things up and then he has to "attempt" to find things. He hates it when I can walk in and find it in less than 1 minute...Don't feel as though you are alone...everytime I seem to vow that I am going to get better my desk is clean for a week :) But as long as we can live with it, it doesn't seem to matter...I do on the other hand get to spend more time at home sooo I get to get the cleaning done it is just the organizing mess that never seems to get the way I would like it...especially when you would much rather spend time with the kids :) Have the cats start cleaning the house for you while you are at work! lol
I am the messy one. For. Sure.
I have spend the last 2 years finding a balance between simplicity and chaos.
I have 4 kids 5 and under. I love playing but now cleaning is like a major necessity!
Anyway, just wanted to say playing and cleaning are both good. Just each in moderation.
:)
Jess
Boy did this hit a note for me! I too absolutely HATE to clean. Since I don't have kids, I don't clean like a should, especially since we have 4 cats. I'm not working, so have no valid excuse for not keeping the house clean. My mother didn't clean either, and I hated it. She finally hired a cleaning lady. But when I first moved out, I was MUCH cleaner, and cleaned every week. It helped that it was only a SMALL 1 bedroom apartment, no animals ;) The next apt. was 2 bedrooms, and we got 2 cats. Can't remember if I cleaned weekly or not. Then to a condo...started to slide on cleaning. THEN we bought our 4 bedroom house in FL. Sadly the maid didn't come with it. I used to joke that I only cleaned when company came (1 or 2 times a year). But I am sure I cleaned at least once a season ;) My craft room/studio - if it's messy I can't think, and don't craft. So spend time organizing it. I create a bit, then it gets messy again...sigh...I don't think there is any hope for me :( So, no, you are definitely NOT alone!
Me too! I am good about keeping the shelves of my classroom clean, but by the time I get home... not so much. Especially since I am really into recycling and can't bear to throw away perfectly-good-I-will-find-an-awesome-use-for-this-at-some-point anything. I don't dare post pictures but I promise you, your house is the mecca of clean by comparison!
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