Flotsam

18 Replies

You may have noticed, or not, that I have not posted for a while. This is because I have had a flurry of activity going on which was worthwhile but definitely exhausting. I had a small social event at my house this past weekend. This is something  I wanted to do and I am glad I did it. I always say one good thing about having a party is that it forces you to clean up the house. I did have the sense to start this straightening up part ahead of time instead of doing it in a last minute frenzy which I have been known to do in the past. This whole event, with the planning, straightening, shopping, and socializing was like a huge energy consuming vortex. I am gradually recovering. Why is straightening up and organizing so exhausting, you ask? Don’t you feel such a great sense of satisfaction after organizing and cleaning, putting everything in its proper place?  I wondered about this too. Well, I think I figured out why it does not work so much for me. For one thing my brain likes its piles of stuff. A bit of clutter feels normal and clear, shining, empty space makes me feel edgy. Another thing is, as I sort through all the stuff, I can’t just quickly handle it and make snap decisions on what to do with it. I have to think about the object, where/when I got it, maybe who gave it to me, what it means to me, besides what I can use it for now and where to put it. My husband and I did sort through a lot of stuff and we still have more, but I think I will wait a bit until I fully recover from this session.

Featured image of Retro Housewife by Artsy Bee on Pixabay.com

18 thoughts on “Flotsam”

  2. Maggie Wilson

    I always say it’s good thing to invite company once and a while – otherwise, the cobwebs would take over!

    But I also hesitate to do so because it does take several days to recover from the stimulation of the event.

    Love the image!

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. joey

    I’m a tidy person. Well, we both are. And I’ve got OCD and anxiety on my side, sooo… I don’t think anyone is edgy here, it’s pretty durn warm and homey. We’re comfort creatures. However, I do totally relate to the requirement of recuperation after hosting. It doesn’t matter who I host, no matter how much I love them, enjoy them, I just can’t actively people that long without a breakdown. :/
    Take your time and set your own pace and listen to your body. It’s nice to read you again 🙂

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    1. Deborah Drucker Post author

      Glad to hear you can relate. 🙂 I am a bit opposite from OCD in housekeeping where the too tidy actually makes me a little edgy. ( Maybe it’s called ODD, Obsessive Disorganized Disorder). But once I start doing a major cleaning I get into wanting to do a pretty good job of it. My husband sorted through a lot of his paperwork, that had been stored in boxes( in various locations around our house which includes the living room) and did manage to eliminate and organize it better. Then I went through, reorganized and relocated stuff. Yes, then comes the hosting and picking up food and setting up. My daughter was here and she is kind of a komikaze counter cleaner and organizer. She is able to take stuff and shove in out of sight and she is very creative. So she got into the decorating for the party. But with everything I was doing…cleaning, organizing, shopping, menu, set up, hosting…I did keep it low key and had a smaller group of guests which was nice. So, Thank You, I will now take some time and listen to my body which is saying,” Help!” Thank You, Joey for coming by. ❤ ❤

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      1. joey

        Having read this, I now wish my daughters were kamikaze counter cleaners and that The Mister would sort his papers… 😛
        Sounds like you did your spring cleaning! Always a workout! ❤

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Deborah Drucker Post author

        Well half of a Spring cleaning, still have more to do but I am thinking of doing a bit more, a bit more slowly. When your kids are little it is more important to spend time with them than clean the house. ❤

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  4. JoAnna

    Deborah, you make me feel so normal! I haven’t hosted anything at my two bedroom house since my husband and I combined households in 2012 including his 3 dogs plus my 2. We’re down to 2 old dogs now, but I’m still trying to figure out where to put everything. Plus my mom was a child of the depression (in more ways than one) and handed down the “don’t throw it away, you might need it” mentality. Now, I get to go through my dad’s stuff, too! We’re not hoarders, but we have accumulated a lot of piles. I could totally relate to the process of how you go through clutter. Though every now and then, I’ll get in a throw away mood and clear out a lot of it, until some item stops me. I recently read of a technique where you hold something and ask, “does this bring me joy?” Gonna try it. Hosting a get together is a goal of mine, and I’m making progress, one pile at a time.Thanks for reminding me I need to schedule in some recuperation time after the party, cause there’s the introvert factor, too.

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    1. Deborah Drucker Post author

      So happy that my post helped. I think my husband has the Depression Era mentality from his Dad. I have been thinking of doing a secret delivery of some stuff to Good Will. 🙂 I think this stuff reproduces like rabbits while we’re not looking. And some of it definitely does not bring me joy. Definitely need recuperation and pace yourself as you get ready for the event. Thank you, JoAnna ❤ ❤

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      1. ghostmmnc

        It does, because I have to stop and look, or remember, or read it all again. Then I put it back where it was. 🙂 I can, and do, donate clothes and books, to clear out some, but the cards and letters, photos, and gifts, it is just impossible for me to let go.

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