I realize I have been somewhat absent from the blogosphere for about 6 months. That’s because I have been writing full time on a new Young Adult fiction series and touring–putting on races and doing book signings. After writing for 8 hours daily or being away from home for a week, I just didn’t choose to put any more time in at the computer. Or cleaning for that matter. And it showed.
The kitchen fell way at the bottom of the priorities, heck, the whole house fell to the bottom. I am a slob by nature. And I have a theory that no matter how large your house is, you accumulate 50% more crap than can actually fit in it. I have said many times that I struggle with an all or nothing personality. Sometimes I get so tunnel-visioned in what I’m doing, I lose sight of other things happening around me. Then – BAM– I look around and wonder how I could have let it get that bad. (weight also has a tendency to do this if I’m not careful)
A few years ago, I would have equated this failure of order with my own self worth. My little inner voice would say, “Can’t you even keep a clean house like any good wife. You are so lazy and worthless.” To be honest, there are days where I can still fall into that trap. But I know better, my worth is not determined by the size of my pants, the size of my house, or the beauty of either. That doesn’t mean I should have neglected it as long as I did, but I am still a work in progress too.
That being said, today was the day that I put it on the finishing list for the day. This was my top priority. Sometimes it’s easy to be overwhelmed, and the task at hand looks too large. In the case of the entire house looking like a tornado hit it (if you count my two kids and husband as cyclone), I chose a single space – the kitchen. Then I chose a single counter. I refused to look at the clutter on the table, or the children’s toys on the stairs. That was not my purpose, and if I succumbed to the temptation I would start picking up other things and the kitchen would still be only half finished by the end of the day. After a few hours, this was the result:
I have to say, I feel so much better. I know a fair amount of you are saying, “It’s a kitchen. Big whoop. My kitchen is always clean.”
Here’s the lesson: Each of us has our own challenges. For me, it has been and always will be maintaining order. Other people may have homes that could be photographed for Better Homes and Gardens on any given day. That same person may not be able to go out and run a mile, while I can do a half marathon on any weekend. Take joy in the things you accomplish, especially the ones that aren’t easy for you. Irregardless of how big or small the task, or whether someone else you know does it better. The Philosophy of Finishing is all about taking control and tackling the things in your life that matter to you. Not what matters to your mother in law, or Bob down the street.
So now I have a clean kitchen. The rest of the house is still a disaster, but room #2 is on my list for tomorrow. It is time to work on the next thing down today’s list– trying to cook my family dinner without burning the house down. Or without sending someone to the hospital after the meal is over.
