Procrastination can be a powerful tool. Sometimes I’m so busy procrastinating something I don’t want to be doing that I get a ton of other tasks done in the meantime. Procrastinating, ironically, can provide some of my most productive days. But in the end, I’m still left with the mental weight of whatever I’m avoiding […]
recovering perfectionist
Some Casualties Are Okay.
(Originally published 2/12/14. The baby in this story is about to turn 12!) — Have you ever seen a baby, with his hands full of sippy cups and stuffed animals, try to pick up something else without letting anything go? I get to watch this scene unfold several times a day with my 12-month-old. It […]
Your JUNK or Your LIFE
De-cluttering is an emotional and personal experience. I feel so blessed that my organizing clients let me into their personal space where they share openly and honestly about their feelings and struggles letting things go. This is how I learn that there is a similarity between how many of us feel about our stuff. If […]
The Promises We Make to Ourselves
The promises we make to ourselves are among the most important promises to keep. But somehow, they’re the easiest to break. The declutter challenge always makes me ponder personal growth in a deep way. My favorite aspect of organizing has always been the mental side. What trauma or baggage are we showing up with as […]
Super ADHD
I have a bit of a confession to make. I have ADHD. Like many others, I used to think ADHD was over-diagnosed and just a label adults gave children to explain normal child behavior. Like, isn’t it normal for a little boy to be squirmy and active? And, aren’t our cell phones and 7 seconds […]
Good Enough for a Recovering Perfectionist
A little over 3 years ago, I wrote about The Vicious Cycle of Perfectionism and Depression. I didn’t come from the place of a professional counselor or therapist, I just shared the pattern I’d noticed after years of experiencing it myself. The main image from the original blog post, posted again above, has sort of […]
B’s Room – It’s About Progress
Brian’s birthday was in January – right after Christmas and right in the middle of our family tragedy. It is safe to say I’ve let his room go wild for a couple of months. It got bad. This may be shocking to see because many people assumes my house is organized 100% of the time, […]
The Vicious Cycle of Perfectionism and Depression
If you’ve ever found yourself caught in the vicious cycle of perfectionism and depression, you are not alone. My article Depression and Your Messy House is the most read article on this blog in the past year. I’ve openly discussed my ongoing battle with perfectionism, but the truth is I’ve also had a lifelong battle with depression. It […]
Depression and Your Messy House
In a few-ish days, I’m going to be announcing all the details for the 5th Annual Declutter Challenge. As I prepare the materials for the challenge, I’ve got clutter and mess on my brain. I’m not a psychologist or a trained counselor, but I’ve had a lot of hands-on experience working with my organizing clients. […]
Balance Is A Myth
There is a question I get asked a lot – and I never quite know how to answer it honestly. I work really hard to keep my life and my house running smoothly, but inevitably it may still look easy from the outside looking in or it may even appear to run more perfectly than […]