I think I might have OCD. I am a neat freak, though I see no shame in that.
The predicament that this disorder has currently placed me in is this: I cannot go another day without tackling the storage cabinets in my dining room.
It has been building. I could see it coming. The holidays are officially here and I have to deal with the items in that cabinet. Serving pieces, wrapping paraphernalia, gifts I hid 3 years ago...you know.
Our house has been for sale for the past 6 months. I had planned on having a serious purging festival while I was packing. But, our house didn't sell. It is off of the market. I'm good with that. I really love our home. The grass was just greener on the other side for a little while.
So, now...I've got to deal with those cabinets.
Look.
Really look. Closely. Enlarge it.
Those cabinets are waaaaay deeper than they look.
Do I really need 72 vases from the flower shop? Is it necessary that I save each plastic container in which someone packages Christmas cookies? Yes, that is an Easter bunny on the second shelf down. What about the leaning tower of pink and green cups? Did you notice the big fuzzy black spider on the top shelf?
If you are looking for something to do today, print that picture and play I Spy with your kids.
I mean, what do you do with this stuff? I can't throw it away. I refuse to have a garage sale. My mother will not take it. I shudder to think of the online auction of a set of 1970s flower child dishes. I still kind of love them.
Do I box it in the attic? I'll still know it's there. It will haunt me from the attic.
What if I need one single blue glass plate someday?
You know it won't stop with the dining room cabinets. Those cabinets will lead to the kitchen cabinets. Then the pantry. That might lead to the playroom. I just can't handle the playroom right now. Anything but the playroom.
Maybe I should just dive in. I will feel better about life as I know it.
Until I go into the garage.
I just picked up a new magazine that looks as if it might be helpful. Maybe I'll go take a bubble bath and read for inspiration.
How do you motivate yourself to do those necessary things which you dread?
This is not a rhetorical question. I am really looking for help here people.
15 comments:
The only suggestion I have for starting your organizing is to start small. Maybe just start with sorting out the bottom left shelf...then the next...then see where that leads you. Starting small is the only way I ever get anything done!
Good music, LOTS of Diet Mt. Dew (aka nectar) and TONS of breaks. You might want to add this to my list and I can complete the task next week when I am there. I really wouldn't mind to help!
Brownies, chocolate chip cookies, and a big Sonic diet coke will provide the energy. I will encourage you hourly!!!! I don't want to store your things!! No offense, I have my own major cabinet/closet cleanout issues as you well know (this would be a good place to insert a picture of my closet, right, princess!!!) However, it should be noted that you are already a minimalist so your shelves are never too bad. Ha
Good Luck! Deep shelves are a curse. If you weren't selling your house, I would recommend taking the shelves out and putting a new wall behind them to shorten the shelves. Os, so you wouldn't have to cut the shelves, put a thin sheet of wood at the back of every shelf but make it only about 12 inches deep. A new faux wall!
I follow flylady's rules-fifteen minutes at a time. Don't get more out than you can put back in an hour. Start where you are. Just a suggestion. www.flylady.net
I had the same problem in August. I finally said enough. Every week I pick one place to clean out and organize. I do take breaks so it's not so bad. Then I take all the goodies to a mission shop that a friend of mine runs. She gives me a reciept, but it won't add to much. I cleaned out the linen closet last time and I will fill the back of my van with stuff to go to the shop. I pulled out the flower lights for the celing fan that we got rid of 2 years ago. It's funny to see what I keep. Why did I ever think it was important enough to keep?
Some people say if you haven't used it in 6 months toss it. That's hard to do. But you do have to try to figure out why you think these things are important. I still have the champagne glasses that we got as a wedding present 20 years ago. I don't drink. Oh well, I try to do my best.
Happy cleaning!
Sounds like you have a case of "but I might need that later" syndrome! Tell yourself the truth...you WILL need that later, but then realize that it will only be once a year and you are clever enough to find something else to use instead...then let it go and look forward to the day you will miss it...IF that day ever comes.
If you're serious about wanting to clean and organize, I mean really, really serious, I would suggest going to flylady. (www.flylady.com)
She is easy to follow but brutal. I have tried her routines and have stuck with a few of them. But it is tough. As for those glasses, get rid of them so you'll have room for new ones.
jean
Um, I usually make up some cookie dough and sit down in front of a good chick flick. The organizing doesn't get done, but I sure feel better.
ONE.SHELF.AT.A.TIME!!!
Forget the whole cabinet. Just take it one shelf at a time. Kinda like eating an elephant.
And, girl, you have got to let go! Set a goal to get rid of at least half (or a quarter or whatever) of your STUFF and stick to it. Repeat after me, "Goodwill is my friend." When nobody else will take it, they usually will!
Oh do I feel your pain! My hall closet was like that, and it took me months to motivate myself to take care of it. It was not a good time, not at all. But, looking at it now, I am so much happier, and it is easy to find things!
Take it one shelf at a time. Have a box for keeps, a box for throw and a box for donations. Take 15 minutes and purge a shelf. Just do it, and no changing boxes once something is in it. That is the easiest way, and it gets it done. Plus, once you start, you won't want to stop!
Good luck!!!
I am in absolutely no position to offer any advice until my own butler's pantry is in order.
But your canister of flour in between the pumpkin and the lunch bag give me great comfort.
I have just discovered your blog from Kelly@Love well...you are so funny!
Look at it this way.....once the cabinets are emptied, you can fill them with new stuff!!! No yard sale....give it all away to Good Will or some organization like that. Have fun cleaning out!
If your house was on fire, is there anything in those shelves that you would grab first? If not, then you can live without them. Sort them by "throw aways" "give aways" or "yard sale" and box them up accordingly and get rid of them!
Now, if I can just take my own advice......ahem....!
Good luck!!
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