Chasing Down My ‘Someday-itis’

 

My husband is one of those people who attack projects from beginning to end with a laser-like focus. Me? Oh, I get things done — well, eventually. Distractions, the tendency to overcommit plus a curiosity to follow “the next big thing” all contribute to my meandering approach. 

Really, I do plan to finish things — well, someday.

However, since being diagnosed with ALS, I’ve been trying hard to adopt my husband’s approach. Because with ALS, time is no longer a limitless commodity, and safety concerns are a constant priority. Do it now, and get it done, is my hope and aim.

Taking care of my future self

For example, a while ago, I noticed myself struggling to pull a shirt off its hanger in my closet. That prompted me to become proactive and reorganize my entire closet area and clothing choices with the goal of creating accessibility — for me right now --- and for the future when someone else is dressing me. It took me about a week and when it was all done, items that I’d never use again were in donation bags ready to be dropped off. I even added a chair nearer to the closet to safely sit on while dressing.

Similar projects were tackled with the same tenacity, including clearing out the bathroom medicine cabinet and decluttering my computer workspace, along with a collection of books and magazines waiting to be read. Convinced that there were no more big issues to confront, I heartily congratulated the new, efficient Me.

Ta-da!

But just last week, a midnight leak in our refrigerator’s water line revealed I still had a few more hidden issues with “stuff.”

Outdated dream projects

We woke up to water covering the entire kitchen floor and creeping into a small adjoining room — my craft room!

Languishing in that room was an embarrassing amount of yarn, fabric, and leftover craft supplies. Granted, since the onset of my ALS I’ve spent less and less time in that space. But I always promised myself that someday I’d go in and finish knitting that sweater. Someday I’ll sort through the paintbrushes. Someday I’ll rewind the ribbons. And on and on.

Surveying the water damage, my husband and I agreed the immediate need was to move everything out of my craft room. In shock, I muttered, “This will take me a few days.” But my husband’s expression plainly said, “Do it now!”

So, there I sat with three large plastic bags in front of me, making split-second decisions. Keep? Throw? Donate? I tried my best to pretend I was a declutter ninja. Yet worries bubbled up. Would I regret giving this item away? Would I need it later? Would I end up having (gasp)... nothing at all?

Yet through it all, I felt relief that I had the opportunity to do the sorting and donating myself. I wasn’t leaving the task for someone else.

A happy ending

The carpet and wall have since been repaired. 

I’m happy knowing my donations will be enjoyed by other crafters. 

I’m happy I have a small container of a few manageable projects that I can get to guilt-free, whenever I choose. And I’m happy the whole experience is behind me.

I know I may always have a little “someday-itis” hiding in me. Do you have “someday-itis” too? Maybe it's time to tackle your decluttering projects. With patience and diligence, we can continue to live well while living with ALS.

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FOR MORE ON THIS TOPIC, I SUGGEST THESE POSTS

Mental Space (and closet space)

How I Socked It to ALS

Dagmar Munn
ALS and Wellness Blog

Get into the habit of asking yourself, 

“Does this support the life 

I’m trying to create?”

Unknown

 

A version of this post first appeared as my column on the ALS News Today website.