What a Mess!
I’ve written about this before—becoming a master of one trade instead of a jack of many. I’ve also written about perfection paralysis. Try as I might, I’ve fallen back into some bad habits.
The holidays are busy. The cleaning, the cooking, the shopping—it’s all encompassing. Instead of doing a little each day to keep my environment in order, I let things go.
One area that is driving me absolutely crazy is my office. No kidding—this is what I’m looking at right now:
An artificial Christmas tree with burned-out lights. Yes, it’s put together. Yes, I dragged it from my front entry to my office and just left it there.
A pile of papers to the right of my laptop—materials I’ve been working on for a mini-course for The Retired Widow (coming January 2026).
A pile of mail to the left of my laptop. Most of it is junk, but the important stuff—the bills, Social Security paperwork—has been opened and handled.
Two empty coffee cups.
A pile of papers on the floor that never made it to the trash.
Binders and sketchbooks stacked on a chair that need to be put away.
Art supplies—pastels, chalks, pencils, markers—stacked on the floor next to that chair.
Two tripods that haven’t been collapsed and are just hanging out by the window.
A sewing basket on the floor because… well, just because.
A trash can overflowing under my feet.
I spend my mornings in my office every day. It’s where I find inspiration. It’s where I create. It’s where I feel productive. I love my office—but not right now.
I’m one of those people who needs order in my environment to do my best work (and “best” is subjective). When things are chaotic, like they are now, I obsess over the mess. So how did it get this way?
It started early in November. I like to decorate for Christmas right after Halloween. I know, I know—many will say, “What about Thanksgiving?” My reply is always, “Thanksgiving is a day. Christmas is a season.” I want to enjoy the lights and the vibe.
I put up the sad little tree with the burned-out lights, and then an avalanche followed.
A storm the first week of November took out two trees in my front yard, so I had to wait for the tree service before even thinking about outdoor decorations—which means they’re not going up this year. For reasons I can’t explain, I scheduled my doctor, dentist, and orthodontist appointments in the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I hosted Thanksgiving for 15 people, so I shoved unsightly things into my office and shut the door. Mail piled up on the kitchen island and eventually migrated in here. I worked on some art, fully intending to get back to it—but I didn’t. And there it still sits. I’ve also had my grand overnight several times while my daughter was on call.
And here I sit. In a mess. In my office.
Are these excuses? Yes, I suppose they are.
But today, I’m going to tackle it and get it under control.
I’m telling you this because falling back into bad habits can—and will—happen to all of us. What matters is how we handle it. I could let this depress me, close the door, and never step foot in my office again. Or I can see it for what it is: a small setback.
I could fear the criticism of others about my housekeeping skills—except there’s no one here to criticize me but me. I could let perfection paralysis take over, convincing me not to start because things aren’t “just right.” But nothing is ever just right.
See setbacks for what they are: setbacks. They do not define you, and they never will.
Give yourself grace.
Give yourself time.
Give yourself love.
The mess can wait.
Blessings,
Bethanne
