We moved into a house a few years ago that needed a kitchen redo. The kitchen redo gave us a large island. When we first saw it, we said, “Wow, we’d better be careful not to start piling things on that island. It will hold a lot of stuff!”
Now, a couple years later, I am looking at our island from the kitchen table and it is piled with stuff. A lot of stuff. A mess doesn’t bother me if I can clean it in under 15 minutes when I hear company is coming, and these piles on the island can definitely be picked up in less than 15 minutes.
Looking at it, I realize it is a kind of to-do list. A few things that need taken to work. A few books I want to read. some paperwork that needs taken care of, a gift that needs wrapped.
I grew up in a house that had nothing out of place. My parents could not go to sleep if there was a dirty spoon left in the sink. It was nice to live in a space that never had a mess but as an adult, that is big expectation. So for years, the guilt of a little mess was a lot. But I’ve come to be okay with it. In my house, there are ALWAYS things to pick up. I am always in the middle of a few projects and you can tell what they are when you walk in the door.
But it cleans up nicely and it is never overwhelming. Finding the balance between perfection and an overwhelming mess is a constant but looking at the island, it seems to be that I’ve figured it out. It is a good balance:-)
A(nother) Year of Reading 
I love how you have reframed that counter as your “to do” list receptacle. Close reminders help me stay on track, and those that are out of sight soon become ” out of mind”. Great realization.
LikeLike
I totally relate to this! I would normally have the bill pile, the keep for my kids pile, the to-be-read pile, and the I don’t know what to do with it pile. My husband does not – he prefers no messy piles. We have had to compromise on it. I still have a pile (or two), but more are in a place where he doesn’t see them. Then we both get some of what we want. Thank you for sharing today.
LikeLike
The piles you help us see on your island tell stories of what’s ahead. They are possibilities. I love that. (I’m sure you told writers that being “finished” can sometimes be an unhappy place to be. Now what?) This is a living mess, a mess full of life, of potential.
LikeLike
I have piles like you’ve described! I love how you’ve described this as a To Do list. It’s so true! I’m going to use that line from now on. 🙂 I also love how you contrast your aspirations when you moved into the house with the reality of what has happened in the intervening years.
LikeLike
It seems a good balance and that is what we need in life.
LikeLike
I don’t have a kitchen island but do have a large peninsula that says to your island, “hold my beer.” Try as I might, the clutter reproduces. I blame my husband, which is convenient since we’re empty nesters. Maybe I’ll declutter next month. Right now I’d rather read about your kitchen island and ignore my peninsula.
LikeLike