Comments on: Where the Wild Things Are

By: Conz

Conz — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:14:50 +0000

I just got back from a month on the Colorado River. My first thought as I walked in the door was, “I’ll never get all this shit on a raft!” I’m starting my Spring cleaning post haste.

By: Lala

Lala — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:36:29 +0000

OMG, I’m obsessed with the same thing. Trying seeing the movie No Impact Man and then looking around your house. Yikes, I want to give everything away! I laughed all the way through your post, thinking of your closet in Santa Monica. Ya know what, maybe we need just one closet of chaos as a balance to the order……

By: Cathy

Cathy — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 05:17:04 +0000

Oooh! I’m actually starting to get inspired. How great that Louise G. felt the “push” after reading this post. And Iris and Amelia are recommending that my intention get wrapped around putting my money where my mouth—or I should say my stuff—is. Yes, that often does work. Thanks so much everyone for the kind, non-critical, empathetic words!

By: Iris

Iris — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 01:35:00 +0000

I’m no stranger to clutter: I just happened upon this blog while wading through some 900+ emails I realized I would probably never read. Here’s what works best for me. First, I realize my environment is never going to be 100% clutter free. Once I got over that, I felt much better and could deal with the concept of chipping away a little at a time. Set yourself a regular time (say, 1/2 an hour every Tuesday evening) or as often as is feasible with your schedule. The time constraint is crucial. If you limit yourself, you’ll get more done…really. Then just start by sorting–get some big cardboard boxes to start, or visit The Container Store–that’s always an inspiration for me! Spending money to get organized raises the stakes! You can start eliminating while you sort or save that for the next round, but just work at it for 1/2 hour each session. You’ll soon find yourself spending more time on it than you allotted, once you get rolling. Good luck!

By: Amelia

Amelia — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 02:58:21 +0000

cathy, i agree with debra and a lot of others here. i used to do ‘professional/personal’ organizing for a while and it definitely helps to have someone there to help coach you. sometimes a friend (and wine) is great but the professional will be a bit less sentimental. they also have training of some sort on how to help you let go. good luck!

By: Louise G.

Louise G. — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:43:10 +0000

Well Cathy, I awoke from my nap and went into auto-pilot. I started clockwise and a few hours later, I had sorted stuff into trash bags, moved furniture around, ooh and not to forget: the mighty vacuum . Ready to spring, when it hits the east coast. Good Luck and thanks for the push!

By: Cathy

Cathy — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 07:29:22 +0000

It’s a relief to see am I not alone here. From “bless this mess” to “go with the flow” these words of encouragement help to make my shame subside a bit and the horror of the task ahead, a little less daunting. I think I’ll start small, a couple hours at a time and then enlist friends or professionals to help with the heavy lifting. It’ll be a spring thing, the whole season that is. Oh and dearpru, the toilet is not a desk (but how green would that be?), nor a receptacle for any kind of waste—it, the sink, and any other evidence of the former bathroom—gone and in their place—too much stuff!