Why would anyone post pictures of the embarrassing mess that has overcome their home? I don't know. I suppose that some things should be kept private. But this mess means something to me and I would like to share that with the 12 of you.
Here it is.....our kitchen floor after dinner. It was swept just 22 hours before this photo:
Please keep in mind that I have a toddler who insists on feeding himself with a spoon and loves to throw food. It does wonders for the floor and high chair.
Next we have the kitchen counter. It is a random counter that seems to be a dropping ground for everything that is nothing. We have enough counter space that we don't need this for food prep (which is a blessing)- so why not place the entire world here so I can look at it all day? This is after ignoring the mess for 3 days:
I haven't cleaned yet. Why, you may ask, am I blogging and not cleaning? I don't know. Denial, I suppose. You would think I should have the time to clean, paint my nails and eat bon bons while watching tv. I don't do those things. But here is the "mess" saga....
If you know me well, then you know that I am a bit OCD about keeping the house tidy and clean. I dislike clutter and strive to have a house that is free of any - so looking at these photos makes my blood pressure rise. Clutter actually clutters my mind and doesn't allow me to think clearly or be comfortable in a space. I know, OCD at it's finest.
The problem is that I could clean all day, everyday, and not ever be done. The house becomes messy faster than I can clean it and it is like a dog chasing their tail.....I just can't keep up. I keep telling myself that it is because we just moved and we are not settled yet (see photo below of other current mess), but the truth is that I have an expectation that I cannot meet right now. And trying to live up to it can be very stressful.
The past year has been full of moments when we have been looking forward to the way that life will be. Whether it is tomorrow or months from now, Jason and I have said, "Just wait until you are out of the hospital," or "Just wait until we find out about this job, " or, "I can't wait until our house sells," or "Just wait until we move in....".
Don't we all do this to some point? It gives us motivation to look forward in life and have goals to achieve. But when we are always looking forward, we are missing the now. That is what I have been doing when I look at our mess. I miss the now and only see the mess. I look forward to when we are more settled and organized instead of tickling my little ones and dancing on the kitchen floor full of dried mushed bananas.
I had a realization the other day, as I was sweeping the floor, that I subconsciously want the house to be clean when Jason comes home from work. He laughed out loud when I told him this and said, "All I want is for my wife and children to be smiling at me,". And now the house is messy. And we are smiling.
In addition to our messy kitchen, there is a mess in the basement. We are ready for painting now (hooray!) but here is an early shot- all framed by my Dad and Jason:
I recently made a decision to not worry and not get so worked up over our house being such a mess. Nope -- we most certainly don't have the cleanest house on the block...There is dust. The floors aren't as clean as they could be. There is a bit of clutter. Blah, Blah, Blah...But, I've determined that there are more important things in life than a perfectly cleaned house. I made the decision that my quiet time with God each day, exercise, and a somewhat decent amount of sleep keeps me more sane than a clean house. Those previous things (just mentioned) generally get accomplished each day. And, you know what??? I'm much more sane and balanced (at least I think so).
ReplyDeleteAny house with 3 small children looks like this....how did you sneak in and take pics of my home? We are living in the same world. I have given up the OCD about it, still feel my BP rise when I look around but also realize we are outside so much that I just don't care about the inside until fall....then I will have to REALLY clean! Enjoy the mess and at the end of the day if everyone has a smile, that is all that matters!
ReplyDeleteAdam just told me the same thing recently when I apologized for the mess he arrived home to. It shocks me every time he says it, but I really think our husbands do just want to see that the kids are happy and have had a fun day!
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