What's your baggage? Here's mine...
Picture this... You are invited to a friends house for the first time. She is having a dinner party with a small group of friends. You feel slightly at ease knowing that most of the people attending are mutual friends. You have brought with you a nice bottle of wine and as you are walking up to the front door, you mind starts wandering. You think...
Is her house cleaner than mine? She is probably more organized than me? I wonder if she has... or maybe she's....
Frequently, I find myself answering the door to these types of guests. Just recently I invited a friend over who had never been to my house before. When I answered the door, we chatted the usual greetings of hellos and did you find the house okay. I noticed her eyes darting left then right, up the stairs and around the corner. I didn't get much of a chance to pick up before her arrival and the usual random toys were all over the floor and a thin layer of dust coated the piano. To make things a little easier for her... I said as I chuckled, "I may be an organizer by trade but I am human too." She laughed and I could tell felt a little more at ease.
That night, after my friend left and I told my husband about our initial greeting, he too laughed and said that "it's like you have to live by a different set of rules just because your an organizer." I wonder sometimes, do you think that all lawyers live by the letter of the law every minute of the day? Do you think that all chefs come home from a long day in the kitchen and cook for themselves?
I think the reason why I enjoy helping people get organized is because I am human too and I wear my baggage for all to see. It makes the reality of trying to get organized seem a little more attainable for those that struggle to attain it. Here's my baggage...
I have two kids... who need a lot of guidance and care when it comes to managing their lives.
I have a husband... who, God love, him doesn't see things the way I do (not that he should have to, but just that he doesn't) and also requires a little help in managing.
I have a cat... who leaves more hair behind each and every time I vacuum the floor no matter what!
I have my job... that requires more attention and time than I am ever able to give it because I am too busy doing other things.
I have bad days, dirty laundry, dishes in the sink, weeding in the yard, cloths on the floor, magazines in a pile and on occasion bills laying out to be paid... just like everyone else does.
There is more but you get the idea. The point is that I am just like everyone else. Just because I am an organizer doesn't mean I don't have baggage too. Just because I am an organizer, doesn't mean I struggle to get back up when I fall down.
We all have struggles. It's how we choose to respond that makes us more capable in maintaining our lives. So remember, that if today didn't work out the way you wanted, tomorrow is always another day to try again!
Categories: Motivational, My Experiences, Household Spaces
Tags: organizer motivate organizing
Preach it! I get this all the time, too. My favorite is -- "You don't like to cook? But aren't you like Martha Stewart or something?"
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I often wonder if Martha is really like Martha... Hope you are well Carmen!
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Amen to that, I'm also human and I'm not neat but I am organised
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I know... isn't that the truth. Those babies are getting big Marcia... my youngest is starting kindergarten in a few weeks and it's crazy how fast that went. Hope you are doing well friend!
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I feel the same way sometimes!
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Wow ! Great site & content, Megan. First time I stopped in but there is plenty to come back for...
Curt A
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Well thanks Curt, that's very kind of you! I have been neglecting my blog a bit and I am hoping once the kids are back in school, I too can get back into my routine! Hope to see you again!
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This is so true. I have never put it into words like this. I am always trying to put my clients at ease by reassuring them that I am human as well, not perfect.
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Thanks Angela for commenting, it really is amazing how we can be perceived.
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I also work in organizing people and sometimes find that because I am so busy helping others, things from time to time at my house get left undone. It is a constant give and take for me and what I have learned is that it helps to keep in perspective that no one is perfect and that having balance is important. There are times where it is a higher priority to go out for dinner for a date night with your husband than obsess over the dirty dishes in the sink. We are all busy and what can be helpful is not being hard on yourself for what is undone but remember what you have accomplished.
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Hi Megan,
My name is Megan too and I have a question for you not necessarily related to this post. In one of your recent monthly enews you told us about a listmaking site I thought was called jimineze. I cannot seem to find it now. Do you know what happened to it? Thanks for your help, Megan
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Hi Megan - Thanks so much for stopping by! It was jibidee (www.jibidee.com). Be sure to check them out!
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Too funny!! I was just thinking about this scenerio and topic the other day. It is so true!! I often share my own organizing "struggles" with my clients simply to show them we all have to work on maintaining. Just like Zig says "..we all need to shower!" when he referencing staying motivated. Between two young children, a busy biz, and "trying" to myself first sometimes, my home chores fall to the backburner. If people could see my catchall closet - whoa!! I don't let it stress me out though, because I know when it comes down to it, I have a system I can use to easily whip it back into shape... "WHEN I'M READY TOO". (At times, that 'ready to moment', I'm not sure will ever come -lol!!)
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Thanks Jennifer. That's the difference... knowing that it's okay! Hope you had a happy holiday!
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