Happy Last Day of 2010! May it pass in peace.
Today, I’d like to dispel a myth. When we were talking about keeping a Thread Log the other day, and I was mentioning keeping a notebook with thread lists and project details in it, I noticed in the comments that there was some underlying notion that I am … well. An Organized Person.
And as much as I’d like to say, “Certainly, I’m organized,” as if it were the most natural thing in the world for me to be organized, the fact of the matter is, I’m not. I’m not as organized as I would like to be, nor as organized as I should be. When it comes down to it, I’m disorganized. And right now, I’m Utterly and Completely Disorganized!
I’ll show you what I mean….
Several years ago, my garage was turned into a workroom, which I call “The Studio” – not out of any notion of snobbery or with any grandiose idea that I lead some kind of exclusive artistic lifestyle, but simply because a studio is, by definition, a workroom where one teaches or practices an art. And I do both in this space. Lately, though, the Studio is more of a storage area, where I happen to squeeze in some work.
When the garage was first remodeled, it looked pretty much like this. Not a huge room – several feet narrower than a small single-car garage – but a decent enough size, with windows on each end, and two doors – one going out to the driveway, and the other opening onto a walkway that leads to the house.
The best part about the space is that the long walls are actually floor-to-ceiling cabinets, which, once upon a time, were empty. Blissfully empty. Stark, clean, white… and empty!
During the summer, the room is perfect for small embroidery classes. When it’s all neat and tidy, that is…
Right now, the Studio is a cluttered mess. And boy oh boy, do I mean Mess! With a capital M!
I’ve been working out there for several days, gathering together elements of various projects, working around stacks of Christmas storage boxes that are shoved under tables and stacked on top of chairs, sorting through boxes of tools and threads…
…maneuvering around the area where I record video tutorials…
…and stepping over even more Christmas storage boxes stacked here and there on the floor.
And so you see – the myth dispelled! – I am not an Organized Person. And especially not right now!
Excuses are the first thing to pop up in my mind – a hectic first semester of school, preparing for Christmas, out of town visitors, and all the stuff that goes on in every day life. But really, putting excuses aside, it simply boils down to being disorganized and undisciplined.
One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to clean up the Studio and maintain an efficient and organized work space, following the maxim: “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” I figure if I can do that for a year, then it should become a habit, right?! So that’s my “Workspace Resolution.”
What about you? Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? If so, do you write them down and make them specific? Have you made any needlework-related resolutions for 2011, that you’d like to inspire us with? Or do you think New Year’s resolutions are overrated? Do tell, do tell! I’d love to hear your take on resolutions for 2011.
And now – bright and early – I’m off to the Studio, to do some organizing. I hope the space heater’s working… after 70 degrees yesterday, we’re below 20 this morning, with icy rain. Perfect indoor cleaning weather. Or sleeping weather. I can’t decide which.
Don’t forget to sign up for my year-end giveaway before it’s too late. Have a terrific weekend! And of course, Happy New Year!
