Anal Retentive Compulsions in 2008

My 2008 resolution is to become compulsively anal retentive.

I wish I had your organizational gene, I recently told my mother. Now that I’m in my mid-30s I’m experimenting with admitting my mother was right about a few things. It hurts a little, but I’m hoping the emotional growth will reap some rewards.

I don’t have that gene. I realized I had a severe lack in that area so I majored in it in college [home making] to develop it, she responded.

So, now I have something worth cleaning and organizing (my new house) and enough space for everything to have a place, versus the floor being “where it goes.”

I’m going to cultivate anal retentive organization to the point of compulsion. That way in 2009, 2010, 2011 . . . (you get the picture), I won’t ever have to think about it again.

I’ll become super-efficient in my work too. I will file numbers and emails, I’ll keep a calendar of things I want to participate in and do, I’ll make spread sheets and charts and reinforce deadlines for myself. I’ll be uber-productive and uber-effective once I’m uber-efficient and uber-organized.

First stop: DeClutter It, Keeping the Castle, Thrifty Mommy, and Jlogged.

I have other worthy ambitions as well, but I’m keeping those to myself until I accomplish them. Public failure is too much pressure and may paralyse me into inaction.

(p.s. I realize Martha is more OCD than Rachel, but I couldn’t find Martha in this pose, thank goodness.)

What’s your resolution?

July Update: My office looks exactly the same, or worse, than it did in January when I made this resolution. The papers I resolved to file are still unfiled.  The same stacks are in the same spots. It has occurred to me that if I can leave the stuff in a basket for 6 months and never need it – then it’s probably safe just to throw it out. But, I’m still working up to that.