thoughts on clutter

I have a few theories about clutter. (Maybe you've noticed?) So today, I thought I'd share one of them. You know, just for fun. Ready?

OK...here's one of my favorite clutter theories:

When it comes to clutter in our own home, every one else's clutter is way more annoying than our own.

If my shoes, for example, aren't exactly in my closet, it doesn't really bother me. After all, I know I'll get them back to where they belong...when I get around to it.

BUT, if my kid's shoes are our out, that’s a whole other story! That’s pretty darn annoying. I mean, the shoe bin is RIGHT there. ;)

So, let’s test my theory. Where do you weigh in on this? Have you noticed this about the clutter in your home? Do you find your own personal clutter loads more bearable than the clutter caused by the people you share your home with...or is it just me?

Comments

[Aimster - KY]

Girl, you're preachin' to the choir!! My husband's clutter annoys me to no end (bills laying around, unopened mail, wet towel from the shower laying on the vanity, I could go on...) but my clutter?!? I SEE it, but it just doesn't annoy me as much as hubby's does.

And, don't get me started about the kids. When their rooms are messy, they both bring their toys into the living room and kitchen to play. Then, they don't return back to their rooms. I don't see the laundry I've just folded on the dining room table that needs to be put away. . . just those pesky toy cars my son plays with...

I feel your pain!! It's not just you... IT'S ME, TOO!!!

[ann]

For the most part, I completely agree. However, I'm really good at not noticing messes/clutter. Mine or someone else's. There's an episode of Raymond where Ray and his wife argue about a suitcase that's been sitting on the stairs for weeks and who should've put it away. See, it would take me weeks to even notice it was there.

Every once in a while though, I get in a mood. When that happens, "other" clutter annoys me to no end. I'm sure it shocks anyone that comes into contact with me and knows that I usually don't care. Why am I all of the sudden freaking out about some random placement of papers that never bothered me before. And how can I have the right to be mad when "other" clutter found the perfect home next to "my" clutter.

I'm trying to be better at this.

[Anne A]

I think we all do it! I cannot for the life of me see the piles in process that litter my bedroom, but when my husband moves a pillow in the living room or leaves his pants/jammies/shoes on the floor/next to the hamper/in the middle of the kitchen floor it drives me insane! And the kids... "my room is clean now, Mom" is never really what I call clean... but then what did my room look like at their ages??? Let's not talk about that!

Even at work... if I am working on something and have to walk away from it, I make a hasty pile and stick a paperweight on it. If someone else makes a pile or just leaves stuff around I have to tidy it. Today we were remodeling the retail space on our showroom and although we were not finished, I still could not leave until I picked up the rags (I will use them again tomorrow), the spray bottle, the ladder and the vaccum. Whatever!

I think this ties into the same thing as me and my daughter fighting over where the salt and pepper shakers go in relation to the napkin holder. I say both on the same side, like a pair. She says one on either side because they arent the same. OCD. GOtta love it!

[Naomi]

This is SO true.

[Jessica]

Yes, other people's clutter does sometimes seem more annoying...because if it were ours, we'd just clean it up when we saw it and were bothered by it that'd be the end of it.

[Avlor]

Yes indeed! Everyone else's clutter is really clutter. Mine is just things I haven't finished yet. No one is really bothered by my stuff! (Hypocrisy in action today - offending area #1 is my craft area...) ;)

[Julie]

I do ABSOLUTELY agree with this. I have to remind myself this all of the time. I am very rigid with "no piles," but I will occasionally find myself being the worst culprit!

[Micha]

oh. my. gosh. yes.

i always see this great big pile of stuff that accumulates on the island, think "argh!", ask my daughter to clean up her stuff, and then find it's mostly mine after all.

argh.

[Linda]

Boy do I! I am blessed with a sister who is letting me live with her, her husband and two children so I shouldn't open my mouth at all but let me tell you I know where you are coming from.

[rachel in Cali.]

Totally Agree!! :0)

[Angela Williams]

I am so in agreement. My husband has brought this up and I've told him my philosophy: I'm the one that cleans the entire house. The day any of you start cleaning up after ME then maybe you can be bugged about my stuff, but until that happens (and we all know it won't) I get to dictate what clutter is annoying and what is not!

[Wendy in MD]

Absolutely. It's unfair of me, really. The worst part is that I can ignore my clutter to an EXTREME. That's something I've come to understand in the past few years. I have to look AT the clutter and deal with it...not just look past it.

[Lynn Mercurio]

This is most definately true. My clutter is organized...lol My darling husband's clutter is choas. HA!

[Amanda]

Amen to that. If my husband still had his suitcase laying on the floor from the trip we took 2 weeks ago, he'd be sleeping on the sofa. But mine is there for a good reason. I think. Maybe. Ok no. I should go put it away.

[Kim]

I totally agree with you. If it's mine, it's not clutter but the second one of my kids or my husband puts it there. ARGHHH, put it away!!! I wholeheartedly agree with this. So... how can I fix it?

[suzanne b.]

I absolutely agree with this! I have also noticed that I'm much messier when my husband is gone on a trip, even though I am the neat freak. I can't figure that out at all.

ps I'm so excited about the workshop, Aby! I've spent all day thinking about my clutter threshold. :D

[Organizing Mommy]

It reminds me of something my husband said:
Patience is most appreciated from the person BEHIND you.. (not in front of you).. Same with Clutter: Clutter is someone else's stuff out, not our own.
Blessings.

[Jean]

Can I hear a YES, SISTER!!!!

[Jacqui]

I have to totally agree with you! Everyone elses clutter is way more annoying than my own. Wonder why that is....?

[Betsy]

Oh my goodness - the fact that I am like this as well, drives my husband absolutely crazy. I admit - I totally don't get it! How is it that my piles become completely invisible to his piles? Sheesh.