Day 23: That's What Friends Are For...

I was impressed by and slightly jealous of my friend K when I spoke with her this morning. She was in the midst of a major house purge and reorganization. I guess she's been fending off chaos for a while now and is finally attacking it head-on. Once she's done, her argument goes, not only will her house be uncluttered and tidy but so will her brain. She'll then be able to take on a new project or commitment with a free and easy mind.

I, too, love order. Clean, well-organized closets, shelves and drawers make me swoon. I dream about paying every bill the moment it arrives; never having less than a quarter of a tank of gas; picking up the phone every time it rings and dealing with whatever it is that's coming through that line rather than letting it drift in voicemail oblivion. Never put off until tomorrow and all that...

The problem with this way of thinking, though, is that in reality you're never done. You fantasize that once the big event is over, once you've finally gotten the car inspected, once the tupperware is stacked by size and shape and all lids are accounted for and once the water filter is changed -- once you get to the bottom of the to-do list -- everything will be better. Then you'll be happy. Then you'll be able to start that new exercise program. Then you can say sayonara to stress. But let me ask you: have you ever actually gotten to the bottom of your to-do list? Don't new errands, new tasks, and new projects constantly appear there? Remember my theory about the Elves and the Shoemaker? Precisely! And need I remind you that Halloween costumes and turning off the outside water for the winter and new snowboots and boiler repairs are just around the corner? Ever heard of Thanksgiving? Christmas? Not to mention college applications in all their hellishness?

I didn't have the heart to say this to K on the phone this morning. I really didn't want to burst her bubble. Her euphoria was so contagious I almost broke out the label maker and tackled the overflowing cubbies in the mudroom. But I resisted, stayed true to my lazy self and instead did a Ken-Ken puzzle. I was a bit rusty and it took longer than usual. I also went online and looked at sheets (which we truly do need) and then wandered down to my garden to check out the brussel sprouts (not quite ready to harvest). I called the insurance agent and discovered that our policy doesn't cover J while he's delivering Chinese food, so I told him he needs to find a new job. Enough for one day! I'm exhausted!

K's a lot smarter than I am and a lot more determined, so maybe she knows something I don't. Organizing my files doesn't give me a sense of peace but it does leave me with a real sense of accomplishment, and that's surely something. Okay, I'll do it tomorrow! Or better yet, maybe K can bring all her positive energy over here and tackle my mountains of crap for me -- I have a birthday coming, after all.