Organization is something I'm generally compulsive about. My debate files are organized into neat folders on my laptop, along with various others for academy, Oracle work, debate work, piano music, and miscellaneous. My schoolwork is always put into folders, notebooks, binders and books - all color-coordinated by subject, sometime even down to the book cover. With such little spare time, it can save me from frantic moments searching through piles and pile for that last math assignment, or health worksheet.
The one exception to this obsession is my room. It's far down on my list of priorities, and even after begging and threatening on my mother's part, it's rarely cleaned. This weekend, I decided it was time to tackle my overflowing bookcase/shelving unit thing. It's indescribable, and as they say a picture is worth a thousand words so see below.
BEFORE
Upon starting, I was determined to get it done, and get it done fast. There were many other things to do on that busy Sunday, other work I had been putting off since break had started. I thought it would be a simple task, something quick to check off, although I wasn't quite sure what I pushed back the boxes and files. As usual, the task took much longer than expected. I got caught up in old memories, and especially the top shelf which holds all of my makeup - tools I've been collecting since I was a young girl. I sorted through piles of lip gloss, eye shadow, tubes of mascara, and eyeliner pencils, tossing whatever was ancient, dirty, or dried up. Putting them into separate bags was calming, knowing that in the morning I wouldn't face digging through the pile while trying to combat early-morning haze. The bags weren’t color-coordinated like schoolwork, but it would do.
I laughed as I moved onto the lower shelf, realizing that it had become a dumping ground for the notes and various objects my mom leaves on my desk. It really had been awhile since this had been cleaned- there was a ‘Happy Winter Break’ card from last year tucked into a crack. Recycling and throwing out the junk that had accumulated was cleansing, like a glass of ice water. I kept the very bare minimum, only what I would actually use, instead of what I thought I’d use. In the wreckage, I discovered my copy of Dr. Suess's The Lorax, a gift received from my beloved middle school English teacher, and had to reread the note written inside. She gave advice on life and high school, and it reading it, hearing her voice in my head, left me rejuvenated to finish up.
In the end, I was thrilled to discover enough room at on the bottom to move my phone (shockingly, I still have a landline) from on top of the shelf to that empty spot. I can now use the elaborate makeup mirror the phone had sat on for the better part of a year! It was refreshing, the knowledge that my mornings would be significantly less hectic as a result of this simple act of organization.
AFTEREven though my job was more time-consuming than expected, I was sad to finish up. My mind had relaxed and sunk into happy memories, and didn’t want to be brought to the surface. The peace has lasted into writing this blog, and I hope that it’ll last a little longer. I felt more focused and prepared to finish what other work I had left, a rare idea in a world of distractions. I gained experiences of small joy, which I normally under-appreciate. I know now that cleaning will be pushed a little higher on my list of priorities, as the calm in the storm.
