I am a neat-freak. Dirt and germs do not really bother me, but clutter and disorder cause me a great deal of stress. I love lists, charts, filing systems and containers. I literally run my life out of a day planner ("Blog" is now on my daily task list for November--which is why it gets done). I like my stapler to be parallel to my tape dispenser. In other words, I like my environment and my mind to be organized and free from chaos.
That is why, even though I have been buried under my workload this week, I have spent several hours in the last two days scrubbing bathrooms and putting away the nomadic clutter that tends to collect on various surfaces around the house. The effect on my psyche was almost instantaneous, but I knew one more project would have me working more contentedly and efficiently than anything else: organizing my desk.
Being the anal-retentive type that I am, my desk was not really in an unmanageable state of disorder. But there were some piles that needed a fresh going-through and I decided it was high time I dusted under all my shelves and knick-knacks. Plus I separated ball-point pens from markers in my two pencil cups. You know, the usual stuff I'm sure everyone does to organize their desk...?
Here is the result. I feel lighter just looking at it. That sensation is diminished by looking at the six-inch stack of paperwork removed from the desk which constitutes a significant portion of my "to-do" list. But still.
I spend a substantial amount of time here. What personalizes my workspace? Here are some items of sentimental value you'll find on my desk, from right to left:
- Pocket-sized book containing The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America
- Commemorative 50th anniversary milk jar from the BYU Creamery, two-thirds full of loose change
- Bouquet of silk flowers found in my car after work one day along with an assortment of random plastic gifts and a card from Gary and Madelyn saying "Enjoy your prizes for winning the 'Best Mommy Ever' award" (this card is also hanging on my wall, and is one of the two there which feature a fart joke punchline)
- The Seven Decisions from The Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews
- Six ribbons I have earned for placing in my age group at various races, including the famous first place debacle at my first half marathon
- Framed photo from Madelyn's first birthday
- Figurine of two wolf pups I thought resembled our huskies enough to give Gary as a gift once upon a time--clearly I liked it more than him
- Turtle carved out of stone brought home from one of my parents' many exotic trips
- Sparkly bean bag frog souvenir from trip to Moab, UT in 2003; I gave similar ones to all my Curves employees at the time
- Matryoshka nesting dolls with illegitimate Simpsons artwork, sent by Bridget from Russia (also featured here)
1 comment:
Woohoo, I made the desk!!
Cleaning (or the result of cleaning) also makes me feel better. But I don't separate my pens/markers...
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