It seems every week at some point during my Write-on-Site gathering someone mentions worthless junk. Whether the topic is email or text messages, the office or home, the yard or garage, we all face too much stuff. While some may be valuable, or at least valuable to each of us, in the end, it is primarily ol’ stuff. Junk emails and unending advertisements are annoying. If I wanted to increase insurance, I’d take the step independently; if I need to purchase items from Michael’s or Shutterfly, I’d do so. In addition to their enticing ads, a catch is embedded in the message: “20% off if you order today!” and then in small print “Free shipping with Code9”. Usually, I discover the shipping part after I’ve already placed the order and my pleas for credit fail.
Yesterday I started an order for canvas family pictures. Because I became side-tracked, when I returned to the task it appeared that my order had vanished and I began anew. After loading and adding, selecting sizes and hue, I eventually completed my multi-part purchase and clicked the “Buy” button. Zip-zap and my ticket popped into my in-box and I relaxed. For a moment, that is. When I revisited the site, surprise! My original invoice materialized with a note, “You left items in your cart. Buy now for an additional 25% off.” Why now? I already made the purchase and now I am offered more savings – but not really as it is too late plus I do not need more than one portrait of the kids. Grrrr
Now to my home office that also serves as my piano room – the instrument that gathers dust as I have neglected it for months. (Resuming practice makes an ideal 2025 Resolution!) This place has numerous piles from ink cartridges to Turkey Trot info to files from my teaching days. I feel it is neatly stacked but a fellow-writer noted, “Having piles does not mean being organized!” Right!! But I enjoy these piles and really do feel like each represents a snippet of organization. Most often I can wander in, dig around and retrieve whatever it is I am searching for – a flyer, a photo, a sticky note and maybe a coffee cup and address that I’ve been needing. I know, of course, that too many of these stacks creates confusing and while I should sort and reassemble, the more promising bet would be a clear dump into the awaiting trash. That, however, is a lot to ask of myself.
Then arises “Clutter Postponed”. This can be a play on words – is it the clutter that I am avoiding or is cleaning up the clutter that stymies me? Flashing these two ideas back and forth is trying. It is important to state that my clutter is mine and so I can refer to the above paragraph and toss. But when someone else weighs in, the clutter becomes personal. On many occasions Allison has assisted me in de-clutterization. What she does not realize is that some of old junk is precious – my old sweatshirt that belonged to my dad in the ‘30s (1930s, that is) or the candlesticks my college roommate Ann gave my 53 years ago. An old Band-Aid, chuck it now! A gift from a long-lost friend – never. Maybe we’ll reunite one day. Postponement isn’t always negative.
Another attempt at orderliness? Procrasti-cleaning. Just this morning I worked at whipping our home into holiday shape. I scrubbed the steps but once again skipped grabbing a toothbrush to muck-out the corners that are filled with debris. When mopping arrived, I pondered moving a chair that haunt me to wipe up a collection of dust – perhaps I’ll attend to that later. Clearing off the plethora of items that crawl onto our counters regardless of how often I try to put them in the cupboard? Soon. Old clothes that I like but will never wear in the foreseeable future – re-arrange by shoving (or shoveling) them to the far end of the clothing rod. My main reason for this procrastin-cleaning stance is that often when I let something go, a week later I am longing for its return. Some of these clothes, you know, are absolutely irreplaceable.
All of the above entail the idiosyncrasies of cleaning and organization. There are so many reasons for the dump-o-matic with an equal number against. Two options I’ve considered to assist me - A: buy and new home, box and throw, then re-establish in my residence or B: wait. Tomorrow is another day!