I adore Tim Gunn. Do you know him? He’s the nicest guy ever. He reminds me of my dad, except for, you know, the obvious.
I love him on Project Runway, and whenever he surprises me by showing up on one of my other shows, I break into a spontaneous face-lighting smile and get a warm fuzzy feeling.
I want him to like me, but I’m afraid that today, I’d disappoint him by only proving his point about the “slobification of America.”
My clothes match. I’m wearing a little makeup.
But I’m comfy. A little too comfy.
I chose this outfit because those perfect fitting jeans that I found in the bottom of my closet a while back . . . aren’t so perfect fitting right now.
I lost 30 lbs over a year ago. I actually hit 35 at one point last spring, which didn’t last long, but I’ve kept the 30 off.
But over the holidays, I gained about 4 lbs. 4 lbs isn’t that bad, IF I immediately start working to get it back off. But if I don’t get to work, it will turn into 6, and eventually go back to 30.
So what does this have to do with the house staying neat?
I’m not sure how exactly it fits together, but it does.
I’m pretty sure that it has something do with just doing the right thing because it’s the right thing. Not waiting until “I’m in the mood” or some outside force like my in-laws visiting makes me do it.
Basically, it’s me deciding to be a grown-up. Grown-ups know that they have to pick up dirty clothes off the floor and wash the dishes even though no one is going to pay them a quarter or give them a big hug. Grown-ups know that they can’t have a bacon cheeseburger for dinner every night, because they know the end result and so they do the right thing.
Sometimes I wonder when I’m going to grow up.
In certain areas, I feel very much like the responsible adult. I am a purposeful parent. I can organize a group of people or an event better than many (although not papers or laundry). People come to me for advice on a variety of subjects. I delay pleasure because of a very grown-up desire to not go into debt.
So I’m trying to be a grown-up when it comes to my house. And somehow, the more I work on one area, the better the other areas get. When I’m planning what we eat, we eat healthier. When the floor is clear of toe-stubbing obstacles, I’m more likely to exercise. When the house is comfortably orderly, I’m much more likely to spend time outside with the kids and get some exercise alongside them.
I do this blog to remind myself every single day that I have to be consistent in my daily tasks, even though I don’t love the tasks. Maybe I need to wear some not-so-comfy-pants to remind myself that I can’t stop for a milkshake in the middle of the afternoon.
Hmmm.
bec4 says
I love this post–are you sure I didn't write it. they weight loss and the house in order are related. Although I haven't read it I hear Peter Walsh's book on the subject is excellent. I just had a talk with my teen about being disciplines and doing things daily that we don't like, but just doing them. I still don't like to wash my face every night after 30 plus years, but do it because I don't want to break out.
I only added a pound over the holidays, was happy, but still it is a pound I don't need!
So I am with you sister–lets just do it!
Robyn says
My much older sister in law used to say she didn’t like housework so the sooner she got it over with the quicker it was done. I was a teenager and didn’t get it then but it always comes back to me. I need at be grownup
I feel special when I do housework dressed up so maybe this tight pants is a plan.
Lenetta @ Nettacow says
OUCH! You gut-checked me today on all levels, right down to the stretchy pants. I'll be linking to this on my weekly roundup as soon as I get the discipline to get it finished and published… And I'm still mulling over my resolutions that I intend to link up here. I'm trying to take care of life before I dink around with blogging, but then again, I'm finding a lot of "life" excuses that are keeping me from some things I need to resolve to do.
If I don't make much sense, that's OK. That pretty well sums me up. :>)
MJ says
Yes! I don't know what it is but there is definitely a connection between my house clutter and my "body clutter" (as Fly Lady calls it). I know for sure I'm 1000x more motivated to cook a nutritious meal if I can actually get to my counter tops!
Cassie says
I’ve been reading backward for a while now. I have to say, I love you! Thank you for your honesty on this blog. I just HAD to comment on this one as being a grown up is exactly what I struggle with. It is amazing how it is all connected and self discipline in one area leaks over into others. My husband is what FlyLady calls “born organized” (to the nth degree) so he covers over for my slob-ish habits, but my thing is, he shouldn’t have to! I love the encouragement I get from your blog to just keep trying and plugging away. Thank you!
Ruby says
I am 30 years old and I by no means feel like a grown up. I look at my friends who seem to have it all together and I have no idea how they do it. Sure I’m married, we have a house and a son but thats it. My house is always a mess, I’m totally UN-organized with money and I eat like a 10 year old. It so funny the only clean part of my house is my son’s bed room and toy room. He’s 3 and I make him clean up every night and I also make him eat all the healthy food I won’t. I know soon he’s going to start questioning it. Why do I have to clean my room when the rest of the house is a mess. Why do I have to eat all this food and mommy gets chips.
I keep waiting for the growing up to kick in but I am starting to realize that it’s not something that kicks in for me. Its something that I have to do for myself.
noel says
I love love love this…so funny and true….glad to read other responses too because I feel less alone though…lol
Jennifer says
i very much felt like “not a grown up* when i discovered that the low calorie count on my homemade pizza would allow me to have THREE slices this evening 😉
Rebecca says
This reminds me of years ago, when I was in my twenties. At that time I felt either like a 12 year old pretending to be a grown-up or a grown-up who felt like a 12 year old trying to be a grown-up!