A Weekend of Channeling The Home Edit

It always seems after giving myself a rousing pep talk on "How Life Should Proceed", everything goes sideways. Quite rationally, I told myself, "If you aren't sure what to do; stay the course. Don't make any knee jerk moves." 

So why, oh why, was I handing in my resignation, accepting a 10-week summer job, being faced with a major rent raise and looking at a potential move? Stay the course? My foot! The only thing staying was utter chaos!

Once my teaching gig ended, I gave myself a little break. A bit for fun plus a goodly amount for refection seemed wise. The fun part was no problem at all. I had had my heart set on exploring a bit of South Dakota this year.  Sites that must be seen in one's lifetime were top of the list like Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse, but other destinations had captivated my imagination as well. Spearfish Canyon, Deadwood, Custer State Park, the Badlands, and hiking in the Black Hills Wilderness all called to me with their enticing names and promises of adventure.  

I was not disappointed for a minute! 

But then I came home to the planned week of rest and quiet. As easy as the fun week was, this week proved most difficult. Time slowed. A shroud I can only compare to a black hole spun ominously. What in the world was I thinking? Now what was the Life Plan? 

After a day of silent contemplation, all the while believing some groundbreaking New Plan would simply appear, I find myself still as clueless as when I began. And so, I reach for a distraction. Perhaps a lighthearted series will give my brain the space it needs in order to formulate some constructive thoughts. 

There always seems to be a "popular" show being talked about. I remember more than once my ear catching excited chatter over "the Home Edit", "Get Organized" and "Oh! Did you hear what Clea and Joanna said yesterday?" like these two are everyone's new best friends. 

A quick glance at what this new topic of conversation is all about is enough to convince me this will be the perfect show to break the silence of Dead-end Plans. Nothing too serious, beautiful endings, and no pressure to comply - I have recently done some organizing of my own. All is good; I am very happy with my space. 

I couldn't have been more correct. The show offers a bit of respite from circling thoughts. It breaks up the day and I begin to feel more centered. This newfound place of calm halts abruptly at 3am after Episode 3. I awake with the Best. Idea. Ever. That being = If I move the fridge slightly to the right, I can set up a cute little coffee station. I didn't know I needed this coffee spot, but I am so excited about this clever idea I barely sleep the rest of the night. 

When the sun makes its appearance, I am ready. With fresh eyes, I calculate my plan over a hearty breakfast. Not surprisingly, I agree with my 3am epiphany that this is a most excellent idea. Coffee is one of my loves, after all.  It deserves a special spot of recognition and appreciation. Furthermore, the effort to make it happen will be minimal. Lastly, I need a little creative success. 

With renewed energy and this fresh burst of creativity, I lean into the fridge and slide it away from the wall. As I stand up from cleaning the floor underneath, my eyes lock on the view the opposite corner of the room offers. Simultaneously, two conversations begin to run through my mind - the Sane and the Insane. 

Insanity wins out as it most often does.

I know the title of this tale says "weekend" but what happens next = not sliding the fridge 6" to the right - results in a solid week of a tiny apartment in complete disarray. 

I blame everyone's friends Clea and Joanna. The task at hand utterly consumes me. When I find myself completely buried, I decide the only way out is to "channel" the ones who caused this mayhem. I must become them! Yes, both of them because it is going to take both of them to fix this mess! 

We (the three of us) have a great time. Morning to well into the night the editing, categorizing and containing continues as well as the sweat and inability to find the perfect spot for the coffee nook which started this whole disaster. 

As the condition of my living space becomes more and more UNorganized, several trips are made in a frantic search for clear bins. I am convinced I need them - life cannot continue without them!

No time for showers, no place to sit for a meal. Time is ticking menacingly along. At one point we give in and grab a snack and a cup of coffee (not poured from an Instagram worthy cute little coffee nook, mind you!). Having spent all this time together with still no end in sight, I feel comfortable (angry?) enough to voice a complaint. LABELLING. Oh, so necessary and who can deny the practicality of it and even the pleasing visual it lends? How come, complains I, not once did I see this on the show??!!

What the??!! How come this never happened to you two?? I never did get an answer and so we slug on. Oh, how often I am reminded that when organizing, one should tackle one specific space at a time. For example, a closet, a pantry, the bathroom...No matter how I phrase it, display or explain it, I can bring neither Clea nor Joanna to believe that the small size of my apartment qualifies as "one specific space."

A whole week of this foolishness and my obsession is nearly quenched. The start date of a new job helps in bringing this fiasco to a close. I can't say at the end of my "episode" of Get Organized I have tears in my eyes like I so often do while taking in the Netflix version and witness the resulting beautiful palette of rainbow colors displayed with such artistic flair.  

But the relief and peace and beauty of my organized space is a sight to behold and is akin to soaking in the great works of a famous painter or a cleansing walk through a well-manicured garden in full bloom. instead of tears, I let out a huge sigh of relief. I am pleased and at least one area of my life is folded just so, visible through clear bins and sitting in a place it calls Home. 

Life Plans may still be a bit awry; but I did wade through a huge bin of memories and move forward. I did discard many non-essential items, refresh my space and as a final accomplishment, get that coffee spot that is used and appreciated daily. 

Thanks, Clea and Joanna, for sending me on a nearly impossible task and making me believe I have what it takes. 

Coffee, anyone?