Yesterday my heart was heavy with some things and to distract myself from the burden of thinking about it too much, I dealt with it the junkie way. The organizing junkie way that is :) That’s right, I distracted myself with some wonderfully intoxicating organizing juices. I found myself with a morning of no commitments so I immediately started flitting about my house looking for my next “hit”.
I found it in my youngest son’s room.
Recently he has gone through a growth spurt and I’ve been noticing that his pants have been a little on the short side. So I delved into his closet where I keep some totes filled with the blessings of hand me down clothing. It was so relaxing to zone out and think about nothing else except my task at hand. I got completely into it, organizing old clothes into piles such as toss, consign, donate and organizing “new” clothes into his drawers. I was even able to lose one tote all together by hanging up all the next to fit size of clothing into his closet.
It was the perfect project for a little distraction and although this particular task didn’t take more than maybe an hour I immediately felt better when it was done….space wise and emotionally.
Got too much on your mind?
Zone out for a little while by taking your own “hit” of pure organizing bliss. You’ll be glad you did and you might even find yourself looking for it again and again :)
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Laura, always love your blog. This post really resounded in me. I just recently lost my mother unexpectedly and I came home and immediately wanted things cleaned out and organized. I just am now seeing that this was my mental and emotional way of tuning out for a bit of time. I found it very cathartic. I hope it helps you, as well.
Sorry, I typed my blog address incorrectly. Here is the correct one. Thanks.
I hear ya! Something about organizing is so freeing.
I do the same thing! There is something so calming and satisfying about getting things organized!
I do the same thing. Right after my grandma died in February, I did a lot of cleaning and organizing. There was chaos in my mind and in my heart, but at least I could create some order out of my surroundings.
I’m zoning out by reading blogs. I have tons to do around the house but every time I look at everything I just blank out. I can’t muster up the mental strength to get started. (and mental strength feels a whole lot like physical strength, but I know it’s all in my head)
I just tackled my oldest son’s closet a few days ago. Bless his heart, once I weeded out the ‘too short’ items, he was left with one pair of jeans, and one pair of pants.
Come quickly, warm weather! We have lots of shorts waiting for you, and I’m not sure how much longer these two things can hold out!!
Oh Laura–I do this alot! Only I sew or embroider and watch reruns of my favorite comedy! Great advice!
The best therapy for being down in the dumps is ALWAYs to think of others. Great post!!
Something cathartic (sp?) about doing that when one feels down, isn’t there?
My sweetheart sometimes goes on weekend business trips, so I do marathon organizing/cleaning/crafting projects to help the time pass and it always puts me in a better mood.
I’m glad you are feeling better too. =)
It’s an addiction! But hey, it’s a good one :-)
That is the best fix I can think of!
Wow… this is just what I needed! I have a closet that needs attention and a mind that needs distraction! Thanks for the great idea and motivation.
Gayle
I often organize something to clear my head.
You’re right about organizing being therapeutic. Hope things are going better for you, Laura.
Good idea! I do find myself zoning out when I fold laundry…and I need to do it, too. I procrastinate and then end up with 15 loads to fold (okay…maybe not that many…maybe 10). I’m inspired to tackle them tomorrow, though! Order makes me breathe easier and relaxes me.
I do the same thing !!!!!!!
I organize when I’m mad too !! I get great organizing done when I’m mad, come to think of it !! :)
I hope that your heart is lighter soon. Sorry to hear you are having a hard time.
great idea. I hope you are doing okay!
This is a great idea. And it also made me think that I need to do this with my daughters’ clothes!
Hope you are feeling better soon.
You have revived my organizing juices – I have SO much work to do..thanks!
Amy Q
I always feel so fresh after ‘hitting’ something with organization. Maybe I need to do more of it! The good Lord knows that there is plenty to organize at my place!! It is a never ending need.
I hope you are feeling better, soon.
Much to do!!
xoxo
it does work wonders… but its a little hard to zone out from four kids during the day. :)
I frequently come to your blog when I need inspiration to get cleaning…so today this is just what I needed to hear. I am weighed down in my mind and heart, but also have a house that is getting more and more cluttered from neglect. I’m going to start in the school room and get organizing!!
Thanks, and hope your heart feels better soon. :)
I have been doing this exact thing all week. Isn’t it great to know you’re making your life – and in the case of being able to donate clothes, as you and I both did, someone else’s life – better in the process, AND de-stressing? :)
Good thoughts with you.
I am adopting this new addiction! It really does make me feel better when I straighten out something. I am STILL working on closets. Slowly but surely.
Thanks for all the good ideas!
Peggy
I have done this for years. When there are things in my life that feel (and often are) out of control – I take control of the things I can! And that is my house! I do my best cleaning and organizing when other things around me are falling apart.
Hey! I just did this!
The little 4 week old baby is a real cat napper! But yesterday she took long naps – to make up for lack of sleep the past few days, I am sure! Anyhow, I organised my computer/work table and now I feel so relaxed tho I am still so sleep deprived!
That looks great, well done on the hard work!
Funny how that works. I frequently “write” my to do lists and shopping lists, plus plan how I’m going from A to B to C while doing laps in the pool. If I over focus on the swim itself, I sink, so I distract myself. This morning I planned Easter dessert while doing the back crawl. :-)
Btw, that closet looks great. I should do my kids closets.
This is my first day back reading blogs since my father died on March 30 (my mother is already gone also, so it was doubly hard to lose him). Anyway, I have been staying busy cleaning and organizing to keep my mind off of things.
It made me smile to come hear and read about you organizing for distraction and seeing some commenters are going through the same thing I am.
((hugs)) and tears….
I agree that it’s therapeutic to use our hands when our minds are heavy.
His closet looks awesome.
A good reminder. I may try to do that soon. I was having a few rough weeks w/ misc. stress, then discovered that my 48 y.o. dad has a malignant brain tumor. He had surgery on it this morning; they could only remove half of the tumor. Time to swap out winter clothes for spring ones for the kids? Indeed.
I thought I was the only one who finds organizing to be therapeutic. I do this all the time…most recently with my own closet and drawers.
This is so true – I get such a sense of satisfaction and calm after organizing something in the house. Just this morning I spiffed up the bathroom drawer and felt much better afterward.