My siblings describe me as a planner, but I am also a home organizing enthusiast.
Our family of origin was very regimented, so this proclivity was baked in young. But as anyone who has ever lived with another human knows, habits one person thinks are non-negotiable and obviously correct will be challenged, sooner or later. We can dig in our heels, or completely give up; but eventually, to preserve relationship longevity, we compromise.
I was able to hold the line on emphasizing home cleanliness, though as our family grew and life got more complicated, priorities shifted.
Cyclically, the day would arrive when I would look around in consternation—engendering yet another lineup of projects.
I generate a lot of lists, but they are not all about home maintenance. I also make lists of theatre openings, places to visit, personal growth goals, and books to read. The internal pressure to make progress in so many areas led to a very busy year, but it also produced some unexpected amendments to my process.
I began to see patterns of tasks that pointed toward outsourcing. In other areas, I worked alongside whomever I hired to improve procedures I already had in place.
One long-standing win is that holiday decorations go into labeled boxes, though I have let go of knowing exactly what is inside.
Holiday menus also migrate into notebooks. Admittedly, these also become stuffed with appealing seasonal recipes torn from magazines and newspapers, most of which deep down I know I’ll never use.
Closets are being tackled, and repairs have been made. It has been laborious, but also rewarding.
I aim to start this new year strong, but I also plan to give myself grace. Plus I resolve to build in periods for stretching and for rest. (I am bad at these, I’ve been told.)
I may have gone overboard last year.
But as a new year unfolds, the time has come to try the middle way. ©
