Lessons Relearned After Illness

Jonda Beattie- Professional Organizer

Last week I was sick.

It started with some intestinal problems on Tuesday morning. By Tuesday afternoon I felt fine so I went to my NAPO meeting but after eating supper there by the time I got home it was bothering me again. On Wednesday it was worse but by early evening I thought it was done. Thursday, starting at 5:00 am and going through 8:00 pm, I thought I had discovered a new level in Dante’s Inferno that he had missed. Friday was much better but still not well. Saturday the actual illness was gone but I was still weak and recovering. Sunday I was back to normal.

So what? Everyone gets sick from time to time. Buckle up Buttercup and move on.

I keep my home in order by following certain routines. Every day I reset my bedroom, living room, kitchen, and office. I have certain times each week that I do basic tasks like laundry, grocery shopping, watering plants, etc. None of this is very difficult to do since it is done so frequently.

Again, so what?

During that period of time from Tuesday through Saturday my house fell apart. Two days I did not even make my bed. A blanket that I had pulled off a shelf and taken Thursday into the living room did manage to get back to my bedroom where it stayed in a heap on the floor until Sunday. The fresh flowers that I have positioned throughout my home died. The water was depleted or stagnated, the flowers droopy, and petals dropped onto the furniture. A roll of paper towels lived on the floor of the guest bathroom. Mail, when it was brought in, was tossed on the table and not even looked at. The kitchen counter held dirty dishes, a box of saltines, a jar of bouillon cubes, a tea box, and crumpled paper towels. The trash can overflowed. Laundry that was done (and it had to be done) was not sorted, folded or put away. Instead, the clean laundry was scattered over the washer or dryer or across some chairs in the kitchen. You get the picture.

I have always had respect for my clients. I know that many of them have physical or mental limitations or disabilities. I give them strategies. I am their cheerleader. I never judge.

Right now, I have a whole new respect for what they go through when they are trying so hard to declutter, reorganize, and change habits.

My illness was temporary and I knew that all along. But during that period of time, my strategies were useless. I did not care. Well, yes, I did care but I couldn’t make myself do anything about the encroaching clutter.

My clients with physical or mental problems have ups and downs but pretty much have to live day to day with their reality.

Moving forward I am going to be even more sensitive to making short term goals even more achievable.  I will encourage them to develop routines and systems that are easy to use. I will make sure that clients give themselves full credit for everything they achieve, no matter how small.  

I will also continue to encourage them to downsize to make their life easier.

I will remain their cheerleader and sounding board. I already encourage them to email and text me regularly to share their wins and setbacks.

I recognize, for some, just how much effort they put forth for what to them seems like so little progress.

If you need some help jumpstarting a project or some guidance with organizing your time or space, reach out and we can schedule a consultation.

Phone: 404-299-5111 – call and leave a message or text

jonda@timespaceorg.com 

Jonda S. Beattie, Professional Organizer owner of Time Space Organization, and co-owner of Release, Repurpose, Reorganize. She is based in the Metro-Atlanta area. As presenter, award-winning author, as well as a retired special education teacher she uses her listening skills, problem solving skills, knowledge of different learning techniques, ADHD specialty, and paper management skills to help clients.