Sharing Some Love
To celebrate Valentine’s Day, I want to share some love a few different ways.
First, I want to say I love you and remind you that no matter who you are, where you are, or what you have going on, you are loved. And if you need a Valentine card to remind you of that, send me your address! (You know I have pink paper!)
Second, I want to share that it breaks my heart when you say you would love to have friends and family over, but you are too embarrassed to have people in your home. If you would like to entertain, have an arts & crafts party, or host the family dinner, then I would love to help make that happen. If you just need to think about it differently, I would share something that helped me when I couldn’t keep up. My Mom told me that when she apologized to her sister for the condition of the house, Aunt Sisi would say “I didn’t come to see the house, I came to see you.” The people who love you love YOU.
Now, Mom’s house was always pretty tidy (well, except for a couple of siblings who shall remain anonymous), but like many of us, she was her own worst critic. If you are critical of yourself, it may help you to know that you are in the majority. I promise. Nearly EVERYONE wants to be more organized. I have clients who are minimalists and must maintain tight order to feel good, and I have clients who are collectors and need help to maintain walkways.
You are not alone, and you deserve to have the help you need. Whether our disorganization is situational or chronic, nature or nurture, there are solutions. These solutions may be more easily sought and offered for the situational disorganization that can come when moving; working multiple jobs; or having a baby, a death in the family or a physical injury. Help may come in the form of moving companies, time off work, home health care, grief counseling, cleaning services, physical therapy, knee scooters, lactation consultants, friends, relatives, meal trains, and of course professional organizers.
So, the third Valentine I offer you is the assurance that the same (or similiar) types of help are often needed when it comes to nurtured habits, mental health issues or chronic disorganization. What you learned in childhood, trauma you may have experienced, ADHD, depression, and anxiety are often linked to disorganization. If you have clutter (physical and/or mental) that is making it difficult for you to love yourself or your home, I want to say that it is not your fault. Sure, our stuff is our responsibility, but focusing on fault can get us stuck in shame and guilt. It is our ability to respond (response-abilty) that moves us forward. I encourage you to seek whatever support you need to be able to respond in a healthy, loving way. On Valentine’s and every day, you deserve to be happy.
Pinky Jackson is an Organizing Consultant who loves her clients and organizing so much that she has a special discount for VALENTINE2020. Check out pinkyjackson.com to get this limited time offer for yourself and/or your loved ones.
PHOTO CREDIT: @Kellysikkema
