Messie's Manual

Okay, so this book is changing my life - one trash bag at a time.

I've never considered myself a messy person. I have neat little "piles of organization," as I like to call them. The piles comfort me that I truly know where everything is. Well, that is until I found an $85 check in one of them from about three weeks prior.

Thankfully, a good friend of mine lent me a book (the one that's changing my life - one trash... yeah, that one) called "The Messies Manual: The Procrastinator's Guide to Good Housekeeping." Since I've never thought of myself as messy - or a true procrastinator at that - I wasn't so sure what this book could do for me.

Then I read the first chapter.

I couldn't put the book down, until about chapter four. Motivated with inspiration I set the book by my bed then dashed to the kitchen for trash bags. Within minutes of visiting the kitchen I became a ninja of organization. Literally, I cleaned out 6 to 8 tall bags full of clothes that night. Then I moved on to shoes, books, DVDs and...the filing cabinet (dramatic music cue).

That two drawer operation took three days to get through - but I did it.

It seemed impossible that a book of all things could inspire such freedom, such organization and order. I'm so visual I thought it would require a personal assistant to help me get rid of, well, anything.

But the key in this book (and what unlocked the light for me) is understanding why you're messy (even if it's only a little messy). I've been saving papers, notes, bedding, sweaters, shoes, movie stubs, magazines, etc. - all for different reasons specifically, but generally because I attached a sentimental value to them. And then I became chained to not forsaking that "memory."

I learned that is not good. That creates clutter.

Some things are valuable and sentimental - that is okay in and of itself. The problem occurs when everything becomes valuable or sentimental. It doesn't leave room in your life for the present, or future.

I learned to let things in my life have a lifespan. They served me well for a time, but now it's time to let someone else benefit from them.

Just today I cleaned out our CD collection. It felt great. I think next I'll clean out our office closet (aka. my creative storage unit).

So if you're like me and creatively messy - please read this book, your future spouse will thank you!