I grew up in a messy house, stuff everywhere — both my parents had better things to do than clean — but it was a safe place filled with love and I now realise that matters way more. (Also: I loved every second I just spent reading this, while sitting in my own messy living room. BRILLIANT.)
I unfortunately have been a victim of the Marie Kondoing phase of minimalism and went on a mad cleaning and decluttering spree. Gotta say, it made moving easy, but made my home incredibly sad. Now I am embracing knick-knacks and stuff and things. And clutter.
Ok that makes me feel better! Knick-knacks are what make a house a home! Although I do suspect that moving two entire drawers of ancient make up I’ve never used might not be the best use of time and resources?
Good point. But Marie Kondo says that you should only keep the things that spark joy. If your 14 year old Naked Palette still sparks joy, according to the clean queen herself - keep it!
Brilliant Lauren! I can relate with two Chipmunk sweatshirt related items, weirdly. I lost a sweatshirt when I was 10. It was a hand-me-down from a cool family friend and it said 'Body Talk' on it. I loved it but it went missing for years. Eventually found in the loft (I must have got hot up there and taken it off) by which point I'd grown out of it. And we never found "Kiki", a French version of the popular 80s toy Cheekaboo (what animal were they? I feel like they'd be friends with chipmunks) that went missing in my bedroom, which was the size of a cupboard. I was convinced she's still in there somewhere...but now I think she might have joined Alvin, Simon and Theodore...
Ahaha Hannah you are my people. The injustice! The frustration! And why do I feel like I’m going to wake up to find Kiki standing at the end of my bed tonight..?
I just came across this on Notes and I loved it SO much. The other day I had friends round for dinner, so I had done the obligatory sorting of the rooms they’d see, obviously… then one of them arrived in work clothes and had to go change in my bedroom 😢😢 can you imagine!
I love this..i have 5 kids..i don't clean or tidy,I try to find my counters/floors. I have so many Zoflora products in the house because I keep trying to convince myself to become someone I am just not built to be..the allure of a cleaner tomorrow is strong..but jesus,I just hate cleaning..
I am in revoult - (I'm pushing 68) - My friends are all 'death clearing' and, post lockdown now insist that visits are booked in advance. There's a place for your shoes by the door: the kettle's polished and they gloat, 'we've done the garage and the loft'. They've booked cremation without fuss - their kids relieved to know that mum and dad won't leave the kind of chaos mine expect to torch. My cutlery drawer won't close. I know I've seen the secateurs somewhere ....
Oh lord. But is there an argument that a full and fun life in the present justifies a little chaos after we’re gone..? (I have just cleared out the bathroom cabinet pre-move and thrown away fake tan that expired in 2018)
Oh god. I’ve just come across this one and I have never related to something so hard. Every single word. The bohemian clutter! (But actually also random piles of kids’ drawings, hair bands, bags of second hand clothes awaiting putting into the freezer for moth proofing…). I have two small (ish) children but realise I have also always been the same. And both mine and my partner’s parents are similar! One set collects antiques and the other just can’t be bothered… Is this excuse enough? There are more important things in life, but I also run around sweating before friends enter the flat… 😅 Love messy friends.
The secret I've heard is ...putting things back, like, right after you use them. But I don't know, this is hearsay.
ahh but see that would involve having a ‘back’ to put them in
Life organizers, yeah...haha!
I was tidy even when I lived in my car. Different strokes!
I grew up in a messy house, stuff everywhere — both my parents had better things to do than clean — but it was a safe place filled with love and I now realise that matters way more. (Also: I loved every second I just spent reading this, while sitting in my own messy living room. BRILLIANT.)
Oh that makes me so happy, yes to the mess of love!
I unfortunately have been a victim of the Marie Kondoing phase of minimalism and went on a mad cleaning and decluttering spree. Gotta say, it made moving easy, but made my home incredibly sad. Now I am embracing knick-knacks and stuff and things. And clutter.
Ok that makes me feel better! Knick-knacks are what make a house a home! Although I do suspect that moving two entire drawers of ancient make up I’ve never used might not be the best use of time and resources?
Good point. But Marie Kondo says that you should only keep the things that spark joy. If your 14 year old Naked Palette still sparks joy, according to the clean queen herself - keep it!
Brilliant Lauren! I can relate with two Chipmunk sweatshirt related items, weirdly. I lost a sweatshirt when I was 10. It was a hand-me-down from a cool family friend and it said 'Body Talk' on it. I loved it but it went missing for years. Eventually found in the loft (I must have got hot up there and taken it off) by which point I'd grown out of it. And we never found "Kiki", a French version of the popular 80s toy Cheekaboo (what animal were they? I feel like they'd be friends with chipmunks) that went missing in my bedroom, which was the size of a cupboard. I was convinced she's still in there somewhere...but now I think she might have joined Alvin, Simon and Theodore...
Ahaha Hannah you are my people. The injustice! The frustration! And why do I feel like I’m going to wake up to find Kiki standing at the end of my bed tonight..?
😱
I just came across this on Notes and I loved it SO much. The other day I had friends round for dinner, so I had done the obligatory sorting of the rooms they’d see, obviously… then one of them arrived in work clothes and had to go change in my bedroom 😢😢 can you imagine!
nooooooooo I am so sorry this happened to you. But I bet that friend loved it and was very soothed. And thank you!!
I loved this.. really made me smile.. really love how you write 💛
Thank you! Xx
Ha ha.. just seen I commented twice saying the same thing 🙈🤣 I guess I really liked it hey 😂
I love this..i have 5 kids..i don't clean or tidy,I try to find my counters/floors. I have so many Zoflora products in the house because I keep trying to convince myself to become someone I am just not built to be..the allure of a cleaner tomorrow is strong..but jesus,I just hate cleaning..
Right! Some of us just aren’t built for it! Like tennis
I am in revoult - (I'm pushing 68) - My friends are all 'death clearing' and, post lockdown now insist that visits are booked in advance. There's a place for your shoes by the door: the kettle's polished and they gloat, 'we've done the garage and the loft'. They've booked cremation without fuss - their kids relieved to know that mum and dad won't leave the kind of chaos mine expect to torch. My cutlery drawer won't close. I know I've seen the secateurs somewhere ....
Oh lord. But is there an argument that a full and fun life in the present justifies a little chaos after we’re gone..? (I have just cleared out the bathroom cabinet pre-move and thrown away fake tan that expired in 2018)
Ha ha.. this is brilliant Lauren 🤣 So entertaining.. I love how you write 🧡
Imagine the samples at the exbo though!
You’ve done it again, Lauren - compelled me to read instead of making my morning cuppa!
A home lightly coated in hairs and crumbs is the sign of a true artist :D
Oh god. I’ve just come across this one and I have never related to something so hard. Every single word. The bohemian clutter! (But actually also random piles of kids’ drawings, hair bands, bags of second hand clothes awaiting putting into the freezer for moth proofing…). I have two small (ish) children but realise I have also always been the same. And both mine and my partner’s parents are similar! One set collects antiques and the other just can’t be bothered… Is this excuse enough? There are more important things in life, but I also run around sweating before friends enter the flat… 😅 Love messy friends.