you wonder why you couldn't do it before. It's that looking at a problem, or project, or task and fearing it will become all-consuming, can never be finished, is beyond your capacity or ability ..... then you tackle it from utter necessity or with assistance and voila YOU DO IT.
The black hole I referred to as 'my basement' or 'the basement' grew in significance as did my apprehension at going into it, or having to do anything in it. This extended to the laundry room, small and surely manageable space if one made an effort. I would go into that room with laundry, put clothes in the washer and start the wash cycle. AND then wanted to not go back. Well, that's pretty impractical; if I wanted my clothes, towels, sheets, whatever back in use, I was going to have to go down there again, and probably more than once.
Obviously, 'the basement' became insurmountable as the junk (read trash, crap, useless possessions, leftover stuff and things I forgot I owned) piled up, spilled over into other piles and collected dust and cobwebs. In my own defense, I will add that some of that debris originated with other people. But, it's my basement and I really shoulda managed it. But I did not.
Until this week end past. A friend with amazing skills of organization and an ability to see the light at the end of the tunnel, came to my aid. She helped me because she's a friend and likes to help people and, believe it or not (and this is the part that astonishes me) she enjoys it. Personally, I feel she needs psychiatric help; but if she's happy who am I to say?
Well, we worked Saturday for a few hours and we worked Monday (an unexpected day away from work as I forgot it was a holiday!) for a few hours and BY GOLLY we got 'er done. There's a pile of trash at the curb (a really big pile) waiting for pick up. Other stacks of trash wait in the basement for empty trash cans and will go the curb soon. We made two trips to donation sites and distributed great heaps of clothes, thing-a-majigs, stuff and whatzits that may help some folk.
One small room still needs to be cleared out (most certainly all trash) and swept clear (and that's just plain dirt). Then it will be a relatively clean and usable space. My new goal is to leave it clear, clean and usable. NOT add more stuff to be managed.
There's a possibility I'll move some things out of upstairs; when that happens, they're going out of the house, not into the basement. I love (and I mean with deep passion) the idea of decluttering, removing excess possessions and simplifying my existence. There's no doubt I own much too much stuff, many things that are unnecessary and only take up space. Even tools, or instruments used for convenience or comfort, I don't need all that I have.
Seems I've actually met a personal goal this year. It's a nice feeling, although I gladly acknowledge the help received and realize I was NOT able to do it alone. It's that feeling of not being able to fix something, of stalling in a state of discomfort and, at some level, misery that can really get you down.
And I'm not down right now. I'm feeling pretty good. Thanx, Mandy. you're so cool.
No comments:
Post a Comment