Clutter: A blessing?
We’re in the thick of weekend basketball tournaments, and the consolation when my daughter’s team loses is that we don’t have to bring home another trophy. Thankfully, her league doesn’t give out participation trophies. I know that sounds so mean, but they don’t call me the Clutter Coach for nothing. I have to admit it’s not easy to always be the one to put her foot down and stop all that clutter from taking over the house. But following are some family friendly ideas for moms who don’t want to be meanies but still want to clear clutter.
It’s important to start out with gratitude. You can defeat that overwhelmed feeling that often comes from an overflow of stuff by being thankful. I really can’t pinpoint when I began thinking of my husband fondly while picking up his unmentionables, but I know this little trick works.
Years ago my mom told me to thank the Lord for my husband every time I had to pick up his dirty laundry off the floor. Never, I thought. She learned it from her mom whose husband died very young, so I’m sure that’s what softened my righteous indignation. I tried this out again just this morning as I was tempted to get upset with my family for littering my home with a trail of their junk. Yep, it still works every time I try it.
After all, aren’t our homes full of stuff because we have the resources to own too much junk and are blessed with our families—even if they never put anything away—to the point that our homes overflow and overwhelm us? You have to admit that it’s a good problem to be overwhelmed in blessings and prosperity. Be thankful that your house is full of stuff to sort and organize and people to enjoy it all. It will make the mounds seem more manageable
Next, have a plan of attack to keep yourself motivated. Whether your plan is to sort 15 minutes each day while you listen to talk radio or plan to haul a truckload to Goodwill every Saturday until the sun shines again in Northeast Ohio, adopt a regular organizing schedule that fits your family’s calendar, so you can maintain it. You can keep a junk basket and clear the clutter once a day or hoard it all until Saturday when everyone in the family will help put it all away. Keep a giveaway bag in every room of the house and ask your family to make regular contributions for an under-resourced family. There are all kinds of ideas, so just pick one and stick to it.
Last, at least for now, acknowledge that you will never be completely finished clearing the clutter. Keeping your home organized is like brushing your teeth. You must do it daily for the best results or if you want it to really work. Resign yourself to this reality. After awhile, that realization may help curb your enthusiasm for hauling home extra stuff.
Although I am not thankful for all the trophies I have to dust, of course I am thankful for healthy and competitive children who are able to earn such ugly things for me to dust for the rest of my life. And I do believe I will be dusting these gaudy replicas of athletes on shiny pedestals for the rest of my life because who wants all their trophies in their new dorm room, studio apartment, or starter home? I’ll never clear all that competitive clutter, and that’s OK with me.
It’s important to start out with gratitude. You can defeat that overwhelmed feeling that often comes from an overflow of stuff by being thankful. I really can’t pinpoint when I began thinking of my husband fondly while picking up his unmentionables, but I know this little trick works.
Years ago my mom told me to thank the Lord for my husband every time I had to pick up his dirty laundry off the floor. Never, I thought. She learned it from her mom whose husband died very young, so I’m sure that’s what softened my righteous indignation. I tried this out again just this morning as I was tempted to get upset with my family for littering my home with a trail of their junk. Yep, it still works every time I try it.
After all, aren’t our homes full of stuff because we have the resources to own too much junk and are blessed with our families—even if they never put anything away—to the point that our homes overflow and overwhelm us? You have to admit that it’s a good problem to be overwhelmed in blessings and prosperity. Be thankful that your house is full of stuff to sort and organize and people to enjoy it all. It will make the mounds seem more manageable
Next, have a plan of attack to keep yourself motivated. Whether your plan is to sort 15 minutes each day while you listen to talk radio or plan to haul a truckload to Goodwill every Saturday until the sun shines again in Northeast Ohio, adopt a regular organizing schedule that fits your family’s calendar, so you can maintain it. You can keep a junk basket and clear the clutter once a day or hoard it all until Saturday when everyone in the family will help put it all away. Keep a giveaway bag in every room of the house and ask your family to make regular contributions for an under-resourced family. There are all kinds of ideas, so just pick one and stick to it.
Last, at least for now, acknowledge that you will never be completely finished clearing the clutter. Keeping your home organized is like brushing your teeth. You must do it daily for the best results or if you want it to really work. Resign yourself to this reality. After awhile, that realization may help curb your enthusiasm for hauling home extra stuff.
Although I am not thankful for all the trophies I have to dust, of course I am thankful for healthy and competitive children who are able to earn such ugly things for me to dust for the rest of my life. And I do believe I will be dusting these gaudy replicas of athletes on shiny pedestals for the rest of my life because who wants all their trophies in their new dorm room, studio apartment, or starter home? I’ll never clear all that competitive clutter, and that’s OK with me.
Published: May 3, 2011
