I have a confession to make. My house is a mess. Like all the time. Every day. Even when it looks clean when we have guests, there is a slew of laundry hiding in bags. Somewhere. Like on my bed. Behind a closed door. Cluttered. That’s my house.
But in truth, my house is an outward sign of my cluttered and distracted mind. My brain is always thinking of the past, the future, what I should be doing, what the kids should be doing, what the hubby should be doing, what the neighbor should be doing, sad things, hard things, bad things…you get the gist. And then there are are times when my brain is like a couch potato. It just wants to VEG, like do nothing, like watch Call the Midwife, all of season 2, all in one sitting. I see the mountains of mess and I rebel, I think this is too much, and so I write on my blog; I play a game on my kindle; I watch TV; I hang out on Facebook; I go online shopping. I am so easily distracted.
I have friends that have just as many kids (this is the truth!) and their houses are pristine. And their toenails are nicely manicured. And they exercise every day. I am sure, in fact positive, that they are not perfect but my house is such an outward sign of my personality which means my imperfections are visible for all to see.
But as I write this, I realize that while I have some hidden vices and imperfections that nobody sees, this one is a constant and visible reminder of something I need to work on; a humbling reminder that I most definitely am not perfect. I am not saying I will just accept that “this is the way I am so therefore I cannot change” but it is a humbling expression of my personal lack of character. I cannot hide behind a perfectly clean and organized house. There is a deep drive in me to want others to think I am perfect, that I have no faults. Well, people come into my house quite often, and guess what, I get embarrassed. And that’s good. Because then I work on changing my disorganized and cluttered mind. I try to quiet those meaningless distractions. I write up a schedule and try to stick to it (Haha). But mainly, I am reminded that I cannot change on my own so I take some time to quiet my heart and my soul in prayer. And I ask for help. There are 10 people I can go to for that.
August 21, 2013 at 10:24 pm
I think a certain amount of clutter is healthy. The spic and span houses you see in the magazines all look soulless. The ones with all the glitz and glamour look particularly sterile and not like a home at all.
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September 3, 2013 at 10:20 am
Thanks Penne
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August 21, 2013 at 10:52 pm
I have a tidy husband who nags and over the years I’ve learned to keep the house not tidy, but just about passable. However he never goes into the attic, the shed is all mine … and you wouldn’t believe some of the things I carry around in my handbag. 🙂
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September 3, 2013 at 10:21 am
Haha Sallyann! 🙂
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August 21, 2013 at 11:12 pm
Do all those perfect parents with tidy houses blog or have lots of creative hobbies? My house may have been tidier before I started blogging… maybe. But then I have lots of interests — pastels, piano, photography, crocheting, writing, reading, scrapbooking, crafts, cooking, watercolors, oil painting, and three children who are also interested in lots of stuff — violin, cello, piano, soccer, math, singing, games, legos, art. And let’s not even start on the hubby — origami, japanese, math, robotics, tinkering…. We just legitimately use a lot of stuff on a daily basis. We either need a bigger house with endless cabinets or less interests (nah!). But one thing we are not — perfect. Crazy, chaotic, fun, creative, silly and interested in life, but not perfect. I’d probably like you just as you are. And I’d sit down and watch a movie with you.
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September 3, 2013 at 10:22 am
Thanks Brenda. That would be nice. 🙂
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September 3, 2013 at 11:26 am
🙂
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August 22, 2013 at 8:57 pm
It is nice to know a kindred spirit! 🙂 Clutter to me is a sign of a happy home.
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September 3, 2013 at 10:22 am
Thanks Patty! Glad to know there are people like me. 🙂
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August 23, 2013 at 12:34 am
I have always struggled with clutter…and I don’t have a big family! When you know it bothers you, then you’re right, it’s time to do something about it so that you can experience freedom. Prayer is a wonderful way to start…and then, baby steps! You’ll get there! And don’t compare yourself to anyone else…for all you know the uncluttered homes have children feeling the tension to keep up. If your kids are happy, you’re doing a good job! ox
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September 3, 2013 at 10:23 am
Thanks Dear, for your encouragement. Very appreciated.
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August 23, 2013 at 2:29 am
Some things are more important than a tidy house. I always thought houses were supposed to look like a magazine photo, then someone enlightened me that they are staged. Ours is fairly clean, the dishes and clothes are washed, and the blog beckons. 😉
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September 3, 2013 at 10:24 am
Patti – Yes the blog! 🙂
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August 30, 2013 at 11:49 pm
sometimes, messes offer a lot of photo opportunities.
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August 31, 2013 at 12:18 am
You got that right. Haha
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September 5, 2013 at 8:58 am
Balance, it’s just tough to keep everything in it’s proper perspective sometimes isn’t it? I try to keep my house “clean enough” Clean enough because I work from home and I have to be able to think without being distracted. At the same time, I have to let go of the fact that my clean enough, is not clean in the view of my in-laws. 🙂
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September 24, 2013 at 7:31 pm
I have 2 children and a messy house so don’t feel too bad. 🙂
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