Well, my dad passed away a year ago now and the pandemic is still dragging on.  I'm pretty much fed up.  I'm sick of the negativity from so many people.  I'm tired of seeing businesses fold.  I've had it with people arguing over whether the pandemic is some kind of conspiracy and the vaccine is going to alter our DNA to change us into zombies.  Here's a tip for all you conspiracy believers.  If you've spent any time around the federal government, I assure you there is no part of it competent enough to pull off a sham of this magnitude.  Trust me on this one.

Anyway, I'm writing this post as much for myself as for anyone else who needs to hear it.  I'm going to find five positive things about the past year. 

Here goes.

1. I've spent more time with my wife and kids over the past year that probably the last three combined.  We eat almost every lunch and dinner together.  We've camped, watched movies, played board games, to the point that we're avoiding each other now.  With my oldest (hopefully) completing his senior year of high school this has been a positive thing.  Even if he spends a lot of time hiding in his bedroom, we've done a bunch of home improvement projects together in the past 12 months.

2.  Something I knew all along has been proven and that is that my wife and I can easily do our jobs from home.  It's stressful at times, but we have not suffered financially at all over the past year because we both have jobs that just require a laptop and and an internet connection.  On the days when the kids are in school, we have the house to ourselves.  We talk a lot more than we used to, help each other when we're stuck on a problem, and eat lunch together every day.

3. The environment has benefitted from everyone staying home.  The air is cleaner and the number of traffic accidents has decreased considerably.  Personally, I've put very few miles on my vehicles over the past year and have saved a lot of money in gas and maintenance.

4. I think everyone has a much greater respect and admiration for people working in the health care industry and everyone working in jobs that traditionally are low-paying but it turns out are absolutely essential to the rest of us being able to stay home.  I'm talking about people working at grocery stores, the big box stores selling essential items like toilet paper, and the people that make and distribute these items.  Without someone going to a factory to make these things, the warehouse people to distribute them, and the truck drivers delivering them we would all be in a lot of trouble.  Admit it, you probably looked into installing a bidet last year too.

5. Finally, I think everyone has a much greater appreciation for all those times we could gather in huge groups for parties, concerts, festivals, or whatever.  I was never a big concert goer but I miss getting together with other people.  This is starting to come back and I'm looking forward to it.  I'm still not in any hurry to go sit in my cubicle five days a week, but I expect the time will come before I'm ready.  

Well, I feel a little better after this and I hope you do too.  In fact I'll just add a couple more bonus positivity.  First, I really never cared for shaking people's hands so I'm glad that's gone.  I think it should be gone for good.  I have seen way too many people leave public restrooms without washing their hands.  Second, I'm working on a new website which involves learning a new skill because I know absolutely nothing about Wordpress.  But I enjoy learning new things.

Among all of the political fighting and pandemic fatigue, I hope this helps someone feel a little happier.  That's our way out of all of this.  Just be nice to each other and do something, no matter how small, to make someone else happy.

Happy New Year!

For me, 2020 will be remembered not only the pandemic, but as the year my dad passed away just as the pandemic hit.  We did our best to honor him at a time when people were afraid to gather together.  While I’m as happy as everyone else to shove 2020 out the door, I see little changing in the next few months.  Until enough people receive the vaccine, we will be wearing masks and standing 6 feet apart I’m afraid.  Enough dwelling on the pandemic though.

My wife pointed out to me recently that I wrote very few blog posts in 2020 and that I should start writing more often. I told her I feel like a fraud writing about decluttering when I can hardly walk through our house without tripping on toys or something.  The clutter drives me crazy and a lot of it is toys, but not all of it.  I freely admit that I have tendencies to hold on to a lot of things “just in case”.  I have a weakness for things like old furniture and books (especially old ones).  In my head, those things are a connection to the past.  Like a lot of people, I also have trouble resisting a great deal on something that might be nice to have.

As usual, my wife had good advice.  She said it’s a journey and a process that I can share with everyone else.  With that new focus, I’m going to start airing my dirty laundry (so to speak).  Watch for more frequent posts this year and some horrific photos of the mess I have in my house.  I’m also spending time on educating myself and had a great conversation a few months ago with a friend who is a professional organizer.  I’m reading books about organizing and hoarding.  I plan to share what I’ve learned with everyone.

With that, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and I hope you’ll stay tuned for some before and after photos.  Feel free to send me yours.  Maybe we can help each other.

I’ll go first.  Below are two photos from a few months ago of a room in my basement that was supposed to be a workshop.  When we first moved in, it was great and I actually did use it as a workshop, but slowly things accumulated.  It became a place to throw just about anything we didn’t know what to do with.  I’ve already made some progress since these photos were taken, but I have a long way to go.  I’m embarrassed by this room and it makes me angry when I can’t find something I need in there, but I’m working on it.  I’ll keep you posted.

Also, here is the book I'm currently reading on compulsive hoarding.  It's enlightening and if you're interested in the psychology behind hoarding, it's excellent.