Over the years, I have developed a theory, and I think there are 3 different kinds of messy people.
The first kind is messy and is perfectly content to live this way. It just doesn't bother this type of person. My brother in law is like this...
The second kind is naturally messy, but through practice and self discipline, they are able to keep it in check, and they are good at controlling the chaos.
Then, there is the third kind... the worst kind. This kind of person is naturally messy, but the mess is stressful for her, and she wishes that her house was really organized, but the thought of getting to that point is very overwhelming so she ends up being paralyzed in a sea of chaos...
I am a card carrying member of this third group. I have always been this way, and I have vivid memories of my mom helping me organize my room as a child, and I would usually break down in tears at some point because it just overwhelmed me. In fact, my family can usually count on my for at least one break down any time we move.
Last time we moved, I was 8 months pregnant with Lucy, and the low point was me having a melt down when our one gallon of milk spilled all over our kitchen floor among the boxes waiting to be unpacked...
The second kind is naturally messy, but through practice and self discipline, they are able to keep it in check, and they are good at controlling the chaos.
Then, there is the third kind... the worst kind. This kind of person is naturally messy, but the mess is stressful for her, and she wishes that her house was really organized, but the thought of getting to that point is very overwhelming so she ends up being paralyzed in a sea of chaos...
I am a card carrying member of this third group. I have always been this way, and I have vivid memories of my mom helping me organize my room as a child, and I would usually break down in tears at some point because it just overwhelmed me. In fact, my family can usually count on my for at least one break down any time we move.
Last time we moved, I was 8 months pregnant with Lucy, and the low point was me having a melt down when our one gallon of milk spilled all over our kitchen floor among the boxes waiting to be unpacked...
Crying over spilled milk...
Bill has informed me that we are never moving when I am pregnant ever again...
I am usually able to pull off a patch job and make the house look presentable and in order, but under the surface, things are just waiting to fall apart again....
I have decided that one of my main problems is that not everything in our house has a place.
So I am 27 years old, and my mom is coming over tomorrow to help me organize our closets and decide on a place for everything.... She is organizationally gifted. :)
Sigh. I wish I had been blessed with this skill...
St. Monica, pray for us!
haha, so true! I am apart of the 2nd group. I'm a bit of an organized freak! Thank God for differences;)
ReplyDeleteOh Megan, I feel your pain.
ReplyDeleteWhat's weird about me is that I'm really into organizing things. When I would come home to visit (before I lived in Omaha ;)), I'd organize my moms cupboards. Not kidding... but my own house is not that organized. I have little "pieces" that are organized, and like I said, I really enjoy organizing - as long as it doesn't overwhelm me... So I have to try to do it in steps! Argh! I am obsessed with shelves, containers, etc, that help me organize.
Even in school I would buy binders and color-code them and everything. So it would appear I was overly-organized...But one part of my apartment would be totally in shambles.
I started organizing on Labor Day, and only got my closet and a couple of drawers done. I really want some sort of divider thing to put in my sock/underwear drawer so that all the pairs of socks would be separated and easy to find... see? I sound like I'm crazy organized, right? But you should see our front closet!!! It's a war zone!
It makes no sense!!! And it stresses me out!
I use the excuse that I work two jobs and I'm tired a lot of the time ;) but I think I'm really just kinda messy :-/
I want my house to be organized SO BADLY! Can your mom come help me?! :)
PS - I started on the boxes in the basement and only got through TWO! I was too overwhelmed to do more! Yikes.
ReplyDeleteMegan - oh my! I SO relate! And my mom is not like me either. She is not perfect at organization but she is better at it than me and way more structured. I just don't even know how things get so crazy, so fast! I hope you enjoy the time with your mom.
ReplyDeleteThat is me!!!! wow! Can your mother come to Mexico and help me out? =)
ReplyDeleteThis is hilarious! Mom to the rescue! When I get overwhelmed I start small...like I'll just do this closet, or this section of counter, etc. I actually have a day set aside (Wednesday) that I decide to organize something...a drawer, a cabinet, files, etc. Also, whenever I buy something new like shoes or a blouse, I give an old one away, same amount. I also love to work to music and good coffee! Treat your mom! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI love to organzie but I have to be in the mood for it. But I'm like a tornado. I have have this house pristine and then it's trashed and I don't know how it gets like that.... :) I don't stay on top of it...Right now, the house smells and I'm just too tired to get to it. ;) hahahaha But I just deep cleaned it so I don't know what the issue is...hahahaha
ReplyDeleteI think I need your mom at my house!
ReplyDeletehaha, you girls are great! :)
ReplyDeleteDanya, those are good suggestions! I will have to try the designated organizing day, and music and coffee are actually great motivators for me too! haha I just hadn't really thought of that... sigh it's the organizational paralysis... will give that a try today!
Oh gosh, I can relate. I get so overwhelmed. I had a good system once, and then we moved. At least my husband is a cleaner and a throw-away-er, so the house is not a "mess"... but it is not organized and I need help. Ack! Glad I am not alone.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could come over. I love to organize!!!! Have fun with your Mamma!
ReplyDelete