For months now, I’ve preferred to write at my kitchen counter, a tiny office space carved out at the last bar stool while my real desk in my bedroom is slowly taken over by stacks of books and papers and a thin film of dust. I can work amidst a mess, I tell myself—a half-truth that has been stretched into all sorts of creative bullshit to justify not being organized. “We’re creatives,” I tell my sister, “artists thrive in mess.” The fact is, this isn’t true. No one thrives in messes except maybe cockroaches. What happens when I shove dirty dishes aside to open my laptop is that the mess just gets louder in my head. And to avoid it, I shop online or read pop-up articles or find any and all distractive things to “get me inspired.” It’s all additional clutter, an anchor to unproductivity.
I’ve fooled myself into thinking that I have to clean the whole mess if I’m going to clean any at all, and since the whole mess is too big and I don’t have the energy to clean it all up right now, I walk away from all of it. It’s easy to do this in other areas of life as well—friendships and marriage, parenting and health, home projects and personal goals. Big messes are not singular though—they are compilations of small heaps that together look daunting and insurmountable but alone are just a few Windex squirts, a long run, a kind gesture, an “I’m sorry”, a procrastinated e-mail, a few paint strokes and a better choice away from noticeable brightness and a clearer path.
No matter how urgent everything else feels, I’ve been devoting time to cleaning small messes lately—things that I know are cluttering my brain, weighing me down to what I don’t want to do. I don’t clean them all, but one is better than nothing, creating powerful momentum to tackle more. A clean counter, a rinsed sink, a laundry basket follow-through, one e-mail, a put-off phone call, a chapter in a book that I will finish, a choice for the healthier option—nutrients over junk, people over screens. It’s not a transformation—that’s far too intimidating a term for me that comes with the expectation of cleaning all the mess, of fixing all the “be betters” in one fell swoop. But I’m good at celebrating the small things, be it little people, little moments or little messes cleared for good things to happen in the small space created.
The only mess I can work amidst is one I’m making efforts to clean, however small those efforts may be.
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Enjoying this week…
Brave knights.
Noticers of nature.
Generous givers of affection.
Sneaky side glances.
And unexpected gifts.
A special needs teacher and faraway friend that I’ve only met once posted a photo on Instagram a couple weeks back of a stack of notes her students wrote with their Best Buddies. They will be posted and displayed all around the school as reminders to all students. I commented that I loved the photo–that it should be a print. Today, a package was dropped on my doorstep–a large wood block of the print that is now in the girls’ room.
You got this.
Be yourself.
Be love.
You can do it.
Don’t give up.
You’re a wonderful person.
…and, my favorite…
All was be pawd of your self.
I love people. We are all small messes that together make big miracles with little efforts of love.
I read every day, but rarely comment. However, today your last sentence…”We are all small messes that together make big miracles with little efforts of love.” just pulled at my heartstrings. Such a beautiful sentiment about all of us.
Thank you for sharing your words and your family.
When I’m faced with a big mess I always hear Scarlett’s voice “I’ll think about it tomorrow”…and so it goes.
I’ve just shoved a stack of papers on my desk to one side to make way for my laptop and managed to respond to one email. Now I have to run out and collect my twins from preschool. We’re going to eat ice-cream and visit relatives. I fell I’m hitting a nice balance today 😉
Beautiful photographs as always and love that sentiment at the end.
I love this!
I love this!! Its way too easy to walk away from big messes, but that doesn’t do a thing! Thanks for the reminder. God bless you.
The last sentence struck me. “We are all small messes that together make big miracles with little efforts of love” I love your writing. You make a big impact with that little mess of yours 🙂
I have been struggling with cleaning my desk, organizing my home and you are right there with. Starting now–one thing at a time.
such simple powerful messages of hope and love from the students to each other and to all of us. and as for my messes – I’m also doing them one at a time UNLESS a grandchild pops in and then forget the mess…….love can’t wait
Kelle, I have been struggling with my “messes” all week. I really, really needed to read this today. Thanks for hitting publish 🙂
That print is so great!
I might need that print!
I”m an avid reader of your blog and also have a fabulous daughter with special needs (we just picked out a dress for an 8th grade dance…the Juniors section is….. I don’t even have words.) I am also a photographer but struggle to capture my own kids and you are AMAZING at this…..what are your habits to make this happen… I mean, are you walking around with your DSLR on one should and a kid on the other? It seems like you always have it with you – how do make it happen?
Also – the life-changing magic of tidying up (marie kondo) is an inspirational book…. not necessarily practical for those of us with kids (I also have 3) but it will inspire!!
Love and NEEDED to hear this today. You’re such a rock star! 😉
Thank You! I am amazed that someone else’s thoughts are so similar to mine! I have thought the exact same thing about being messy & creative, as well as being daunted by messes that seem too big, so I don’t start at all. Thank you!
I really want to know how you manage 3 kids and taking gorgeous photos of said 3 kids…
Kelle,
There’s a really great surprise sample sale at Tea Collection. I know you often have ads for it on your blog and your kids are often wearing these clothes. I just saw the sale, and the prices are really good. So exciting! Have a look!
Elaine