simple doesn’t mean tidy

…but it does mean organised.

I had a realisation in the car yesterday after experiencing what one can only describe as a frantic morning rush from bed to breakfast to getting dressed (no time for a shower) to breastfeeding (quick top-up) to in the car and out the driveway. Once we were moving and the classical music was playing (Percy’s preferred radio station for a scream-free journey) I had the time and the space to think about the chaos that had just unfolded. It wasn’t enjoyable, it had no positive effect on my mood or my mindset and to put it mildly, it was a terrible start to the day.

Mustering all kinds of optimism I decided it really was onwards and upwards and a takeaway coffee on the way home. And then? It was time to reinstate some semblance of order and organisation on the home front; because life is that much easier when I know where everything is.

A few years ago, the thought of organising my home would have caused all kinds of angst. After years of op-shopping and the subsequent collecting of bargains too good to leave behind, the house was cluttered and my cupboards were brimming. I literally couldn’t keep on top of the cleaning or the sorting (so big was the problem that I had no idea where to begin) and so I resorted to the quick fix of putting things, all sorts of things, behind closed doors to be dealt with later. “Later” came when I realised that decluttering was soothing and calming and that the end result was genuinely pleasing (albeit slightly addictive).

Yesterday, after a few weeks of illness, winter laziness and general disinterest, I put things back in their place. And you know what? It really didn’t take that long. Regardless of the state of my home on any given day, I know that tidying is achievable and not overly time-consuming; everything has a place and I know exactly where that place is.

As I picked things up and put them away I found myself thinking about the state of one’s home; such a pertinent topic amongst mothers, don’t you think? The eloquent Annabel Crabb recently wrote about her messy home in Lesson to my daughter: Don’t clean your house and as a result she had many heads nodding. I enjoyed the argument she brought to her cluttered table; she lives amidst the mess and she has no intention of changing it. But me? I know myself well enough to admit that mess doesn’t please me and disorganisation sends me into disarray. It has nothing to do with gender equality and everything to do with acknowledging my own truth.

If you’re content in a ramshackle abode then by all means, revel in the glorious mess. But, if you feel calmer with less stuff and a clear path from the front door to the back…own it.

My simple home is rarely tidy. But since getting rid of the unnecessary I can safely say that cleaning it takes a lot less time. And when pinterest gets me all down about what I don’t have?  I take a look around, recognise that I’m surrounded by beauty (and practicality) and gain a new-found appreciation for the story of home*.

*But if you would like to replace my 1960s mint green kitchen with a contemporary alternative I’ll take you up on that immediately. In the meantime I’ll remind myself that it’s my sacrifice for living on the beach. Perspective, perspective. 

Recent Posts
Showing 14 comments
  • Jane S
    Reply

    Great thoughts Jodi…for me mess equals stress. With two young (very busy/creative/messy!) children I don't expect our home to be perfect but at the end of the day I do strive for some kind of order. I simply cannot revel in the mess, thanks goodness I am not the only one!

    • Jodi
      Reply

      …and I do love the feeling of getting up in the morning and knowing/seeing that the kitchen is clean…a blank surface to start breakfast and pack lunches…a good start! x

  • letmebefreeblog
    Reply

    I am always trying to declutter but sometimes have trouble letting go! My kids have way too much stuff and it is always all over the house which drives me nuts!

    • Jodi
      Reply

      I find the best way to work out whether to keep something (if you're indecisive) is to pack it away (out of sight, out of mind) and if you find that you haven't needed/wanted it a few months later, you can probably live without it x

  • aluminiumgirl
    Reply

    I think it is really about what is manageable for your own family. In my early days of parenting, I near killed myself trying to juggle baby and house – it was unsustainable and depressing (really). I've since found a better balance. It's clean, not always tidy, but not always chaotic. And I've acceptance of this. Though, if my morning is too chaotic, I know it is time to re-evaluate because chaotic mornings do not bode well.

    • Jodi
      Reply

      So true…and with a young baby the day really is so unpredictable. Interestingly I've found that the "baby" stuff hasn't been nearly as intense this time around because I have kept everything simple. He probably has about 10 outfits that I rotate (thanks to a lovely 15minute cycle on my new washing machine) hence there aren't nearly as many baby clothes as there were for Che and Poet. It's made such a huge difference! x

  • Malayka
    Reply

    Oh I can really relate to this. I used to feel best surrounded by STUFF and loved clutter… and then we had a baby! Suddenly sitting at home all day left me feeling totally claustrophobic! Now after a couple of years and many carloads to the second hand store, and we have a home that is super easy to clean and where most things have a place.

    • Jodi
      Reply

      feels good, doesn't it?! x

  • Nell
    Reply

    I've had a similar epiphany recently Jodi. I've just read The Life Changing Magic of Tidying (have you? It's a game-change), and although I still have much sorting to do, the difference it's made to our house and (without sounding over dramatic) our lives is remarkable. Cleaning and tidying now takes no time at all, and I've realised how more productive I am, how less stressful life is (I'm not too bothered about tidiness but it stresses Ben out!) and how much more appreciative I am of the beautiful things we're lucky enough to have. Hope the rest of your day was peaceful xx

    • Jodi
      Reply

      Read it months ago and loved it! I'm much more productive too and yes, so much more appreciative of what we do own because I can actually "see" it x

  • Olivia Harrison
    Reply

    Favourite post ever!

  • Rebecca
    Reply

    I needed to read this from someone who isn't my mother- she is a clean freak and accuses me of being a slob, which I'm not, I'm just not as neat as her! I read Annabel Crabb's piece too, and I love her, and it kept running through my brain as I stared at my mess, I have two little ones, we have been sick on and off for months, and we have a tiny house, and I have no family near me to help with anything. And I love sewing and my husband sculpts every minute he can. I was noticing that continually attempting to have a spotless house was making me feel hopeless and like I was chasing my tale. But tidying up does make me feel better. For me, I need to clean up so I can feel calm and sew, but I need to draw the line and not attempt spotlessness so that I can sew, because it lifts me up when everything else feels overwhelming! It was kind of a relief for me to acknowledge this, and my mood has been a lot more stable!

  • Eliza the Roamer
    Reply

    So true Jodi. I had an operation recently which had a long recovery time. My mum, husband and I did our best to just get through, but let's say kids TV time and convenience food and MESS have resulted. I read this post ( http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/four-week-wait-no-more-organizing_12.html ) last week and have made a real effort to actually write out a day schedule. I've come to realise as much as it's nice getting 20+ minutes extra sleep, I really need to get up to an alarm in order for the day not to start with a frantic, shouty momma.

    And yes yes yes to your earlier comment about a clean kitchen. The living room and dining room-cum-kids hang out room can be a mess, but so long as the counters are clear and dishes done when I get up for tea and breakfast, I feel I can cope better with the day.

  • mon_and_mia
    Reply

    This post came along at the perfect time for me. I've been getting quite upset & overwhelmed by the mess in my house-it doesn't feel like a 'home'. I only have one little one but I just can't get on top of the cleaning/tidying & feel I'm getting further behind & almost like I'm drowning in clutter. Between my husband & I we work all 7 days of the week so I don't get any time to clean without my daughter underfoot asking for something every few minutes & creating mess faster than I can tidy. We have no family close by so no outside help-I'd love just an hour here & there with someone watching her so I can get stuck into it-once it's all done I'd hopefully be able to maintain it. We're trying to declutter-a tiny 68sqm cottage doesn't agree with my opshopping habit or hubbys hoarding tendencies. Sorry for the long comment-it feels good to get all that out.

Leave a Comment