Many struggle with disorganization as I once did. I was in nervous remission for years, but as time has passed I’m not that nervous anymore. I don’t let my messy tendencies get too far out of hand and my home is never more than 15 minutes to “company ready” (and that’s for the whole house).
When every room is HOURS or DAYS away from "company ready" and I HAVE BEEN THERE, it can easily be overwhelming and in that state of mind we can freeze, bust out of the place or retreat under the covers. All those actions make things worse.
I’ve thought a lot about that feeling of being overwhelmed and I know it’s a state of mind based on true facts and circumstances. But the good news is states of mind can be changed even when the true facts and circumstances haven't. In fact if you’re overwhelmed by a messy house, obesity, indebtedness, an inharmonious marriage, whatever, you have the power to change your mind right now and decide to not be overwhelmed. In fact that’s the best place to start!
Once a long time ago I was in a perpetual state of overwhelm before I got organized and while I was in a bad marriage. My unhappy husband was a traveling salesman and was gone a lot. Since I had no clue how to be organized I’d play with the kids, sew, and watch TV and then I’d clean all night and the next day to get the house back in shape before he’d come home. Once it was clean and company ready I’d promise myself I’d keep it that way, but as soon as he’d leave I’d go back to playing again and leaving my messes out.
When my sister and I made a pact to get organized, I decided to pretend my home (1200 square feet and in a very depressed neighborhood) was a penthouse suite on Park Avenue in New York City. In other words I raised the value of the space in my mind from its real value (about $12,000) to 12 million dollars. I added to the fantasy that I was to get this space spiffed up so I could sell it and move on.
At the time I wanted to move on in more ways than one. I wanted to find a way to get and stay organized, get out of my marriage and get out of that house.
Changing my mind about my circumstances gave me energy. I got excited about really making a change and as I developed the system that gave me direction I discovered peace!
In the olden days in small villages, there used to be a town crier and each night he’d cry out: "It's ten PM and all is well." How comforting it must have been to hear those words! We can use those words on ourselves now. Look at the time right now and say to yourself: "It's (say the time) and all is well."
The reason behind wanting to be organized is that we want peace. We know that in that peace we can be more loving and more joyful, but guess what! Peace, love and joy are states of mind and they can be had regardless of our circumstances. Seek those states of mind and you’ll be amazed at how much easier getting organized will be.