I went out for coffee with the Republican football mom I wrote about yesterday. Turns out that do we have some things in common. And it turns out that the biggest difference between us is not politics–it’s clutter.
Juley is a clutter-phobe. She loves throwing stuff out. Whereas I am a clutter magnet.
I’m deep in debris. But I’m also deep in denial. With the best of intentions, I open the door to clean up a closet and what I see is SO overwhelming that I slam the door shut. (If that’s even possible with all the stuff in the way.)
So who would have imagined that this unlikely encounter over politics might help me clean up my act?
Juley has to live with the results of the election—for at least four years. Whereas I don’t have to live with my clutter–and she gave me a simple solution. (She generously offered to come over and help me–but I refused. I might spill my guts on this blog, but I do have some dignity. Even my closest friends are not welcome to view my closet. In fact, if his clothes were not there, I would keep V out of it. )
To clear out clutter, advised Juley, don’t look at the big picture. Way too scary. Just start with one corner–and go from there. She even gave me a way to remember her advice, with an old line. How do you eat an elephant? she asked. One bite at a time. (I had the decency not to remind her that an elephant is the symbol of the Republican party.)
I come home from our coffee date, ready to take my first bite of elephant. I check my computer (which is now functional) and here is the first thing I see: A headline on a new study reported by Scientific American, titled: What Being Neat or Messy Says About Political Leanings.
First paragraph: Researchers insist they can tell someone’s political affiliation by looking at the condition of their offices and bedrooms. Messy? You’re a lefty. A neatnik? Welcome to the Right.
Does the universe have a great sense of humor, or what?
rachel says
What an interesting article. I am trying to think how many houses I have been inside in the last few years and what the client’s affliations were. As a professional organizer and Dem. I would say I agree more with the genetics piece of this story vs. the whole messy=lefty. As you know, Darryle, our house would be considered leaning way right just on looks!
Darryle says
When I read that article I immediately thought of you–since according to this theory you would be out there to the far right of Sarah Palin. I also have this feeling that the Obama house looks more like yours than like mine.
ByJane says
Oy. Oy Oy Oy and vey. I am such a lefty. I’ve had the misfortune of being friends all my life with neat freaks, the kind who were raised by grandmas that washed the rocks in the front yard. In defense, I keep reminding myself of my first mother in law’s saying, “Tidy little people have tidy little minds.”
Darryle says
One more thing we share–someday we really have to meet! I have a magnet sitting in front of me right now that says “A Clean House is a sign of a Wasted Life.” Unfortunately, everyone I have ever shared a house with was a neat freak.
Mark Geduldig-Yatrofsky says
If Rachel is the exception that proves the rule, I would have to submit that this rule may not apply beyond the borders of the United States. My wife, albeit one of the best organized people on the planet (and cursed with a husband who is the exact opposite), is Swedish and not anywhere near right of center. (I think the Germans must have learned orderliness from the Swedes.) Were I a methodical person, I might follow up this discourse with a study of how Americans differ from or reflect the norms of other nationalities. But I’m not, so in the words of Jimmy Buffet, I’ll rationalize by asserting that “I don’t want that much organization in my life!”