Yesterday my adorable great-niece, Madelyn, captured my sentiments exactly and I’m delighted to share the picture that her parents posted on Facebook. Can you relate?
I only recently emerged from a serious mental fog. I was too embarrassed to admit to anyone that I was feeling directionless and even more shockingly, unproductive. As a Professional Organizer (and let’s just throw in the fact that I am also a Capricorn), I am supposed to be the model of efficiency. It wasn’t until I had a Zoom meeting with two different sets of colleagues last week that I was freed from my shame when many of them talked about feeling the same way! I was so relieved!
So, I’m here to tell you it’s ok to NOT be productive. I know, I know…. my last email was a video where I showcased productivity by reorganizing a china cabinet in my dining room. I’m glad I did it and looking at the cabinet and using it is much more enjoyable. However, it took a lot more effort than usual and I was feeling pressure to have content for social media. There, I said it…..
During this threatening global pandemic, we are all experiencing grief in one form or another. We are grieving life as we know it, grieving the loss of freedom and spontaneity, grieving the loss of work and income, and profoundly grieving the loss of life throughout the world and in our communities. So, my overarching message is to please be gentle with yourself and definitely refrain from “shoulding on yourself” such as, “I have all this free time and I should be doing _________. ” Below are recent articles that spoke to me and I want to share them with you.
The New York Times – Stop Trying To Be Productive
Harvard Business Review – That Discomfort You’re Feeling Is Grief
Of course, the flip side also exists. This article from Huff Post explains when cleaning and organizing can provide you a sense of control and peace – Why Cleaning and Organizing is so Therapeutic When We’re Stressed
The bottom line is to listen to yourself and to do what feels right for you. When and if I get a burst of energy to delve into another “someday project”, I will go with the flow and maybe even make another video. In the meantime, I have no expectations and will not feel any guilt for just being. No matter what my frame of mind might be, I always LOVE hearing from you, my readers. I am always in the mood to answer your organizing questions and to cheer you on! It is a happy and fun distraction to receive your emails, texts, and photos and to hear about your projects. I am working with a client virtually and she is experiencing tremendous success! If you would like to know more about my virtual organizing services, please reach out. Thank you for staying in touch.
Jocelyn, thank you for your frank self-disclosure (and for the adorable photo of your great-niece, of course)! In these challenging times, it is so helpful to hear that people you respect and admire are wrestling with feelings like your own. Just putting the name “grief” to what we’re going through is a help. We can be thankful for all the good things in our lives and yet grieve for all the suffering of others – and ourselves.
Thank you, Toni. I’m VERY thankful for the beautiful family we share – you are all such an immense source of joy for me!
You said it all in the most beautiful way….we each must find what gets us through the day….for me it is making afghans got Hospice …I have a friend that drops yarn at my front door and I make them. It is my best therapy! One day at a time..be safe and this too will pass.
Thank you, Marianna. I LOVED seeing the photos in your email of the afghans you created – they are so lovely! When I replied to your email I hadn’t read this comment and didn’t know you made those for hospice patients. You have always had the biggest heart and the most generous spirit. I’m glad to hear that creating the blankets is therapeutic for you as well. What a terrific win-win! XO
Thank you for your words. You summed it up so nicely. This is the first time I’ve heard the term grieving applied to what we are dealing with. It’s funny once you can put a term to it, it makes it easier to deal with.
My “keep from going crazy” activity has been reorganizing my spices. First I made a list in Excel including expiration dates. Next I washed all the spice jars. I made new labels for the jars with dingy ones. So my spices are now in alphabetical order in nice clean jars. Now all I have to do is start cooking
Janis, I know exactly what you mean. When I first read the article about grief, it was as if a great weight was lifted off my chest. I audibly said, “Ohhhhh!” as I read the article.
Hearing about your spice jar reorganizing project is like junk food to me….exciting and makes me want more!! I am totally impressed with your process and the excel document with expiration dates is too good to be true! You and I think alike because I also keep my spices in alphabetical order and swear by that method. As far as a cooking idea, my favorite meals are simple ones. There used to be a show on the Food Network called “5 Ingredient Fix” – that was just my speed. That said, I happen to know a very creative food blogger who goes by the handle of Hungry Musician* and if you send her a message listing some ingredients you have on hand, she’ll create some easy recipes for you to make using your ingredients and SPICES :-). *https://www.instagram.com/hungrymusician
Full disclosure… I gave birth to Hungry Musician 27 years ago!
Thanks. I will check out Hungry Musician. Cute name.